MAVIC ALLROAD SL WHEELSET CLASSE £840 | 1,665G

In an increasingly carbon world, Neal Hunt finds out if high-end alloy wheels can still cut it

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As the name suggests, the Allroad SLs are designed as a robust road or gravel wheel. Mavic remains one of the pioneers of high-end, fully factory-built metal wheels, so I was keen to see if this set could find its place in a marketplace now crowded with budget carbon competitors.

Construction

Mavic has opted for its own Maxtal aluminium for the Allroad SL. This proprietary alloy is both reasonably lightweight and strong. It's durable enough for off-road use with a wide rim that will allow use of wide, high-volume tyres.

It's the 22mm deep alloy rims that make the Allroad SLs special. The rim makes use of three different technologies: FORE drilling, which refers to the way the spokes are attached; extensive milling on the upper section of the rim to save as much weight as possible; and a Black Shield finish, said to offer excellent protection against impacts and scratches.

The rims feature a 25mm internal width and are designed to be used with tyres from 28mm to 64mm wide, making them extremely versatile. I tested the wheels with various options, from 30mm to 40mm in width, and all worked seamlessly, with easy inflation and minimal leakage.