ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE

Mavic Comete 85 vs Zipp 858 NSW

The Zipp 858 NSW is 250 g lighter (1,500 g vs 1,750 g claimed per pair); the Mavic Comete 85 costs €478 less (€2,499 vs €2,977) at our October 2026 price check. The listed tyre range is 28–65 mm on the Comete 85 and 28–32 mm on the 858 NSW. Both share the rim depth (85 mm) and the internal width (23 mm).

MavicComete 85

Zipp858 NSW

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Both on the same bike.

Drag the handle to switch between the Comete 85 (left) and the 858 NSW (right) on a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS. Black tyres shown for context.

Comete 85 858 NSW

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SIDE BY SIDE

Specifications.

Rows with different values are highlighted. Weights are manufacturer claims per pair.

Mavic Comete 85 and Zipp 858 NSW specifications
Specification	Mavic Comete 85	Zipp 858 NSW
Claimed pair weight	1,750 g	1,500 g
Price per pair	€2,499	€2,977
Price checked	October 2026	October 2026
MSRP	€2,499	€3,800
Rim depth · front	85 mm	85 mm
Rim depth · rear	85 mm	85 mm
Internal width · front	23 mm	23 mm
Internal width · rear	23 mm	23 mm
External width · front	31 mm	27 mm
External width · rear	31 mm	27 mm
Listed tyre range	28–65 mm	28–32 mm
Rim type	Hooked	Hookless
Spokes · front / rear	21 / 21 · Mavic Aero Carbon, 14 crossed + 7 radial	20 / 20 · Steel
Bearings	Mavic ceramic	Ceramic
Warranty	Lifetime; conditions apply	Lifetime; conditions apply
Crash replacement	Up to 50% discount Conditions ↗	Free replacement Conditions ↗

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What the differences mean.

General context for the specifications where these two differ. Numbers in superscript link to the sources below each topic. How much each point matters depends on your riding, tyres and bike.

Weight: what the grams mean

The 858 NSW is 250 g lighter per pair (1,500 g vs 1,750 g, manufacturer claims).

Comete 851,750 g

858 NSW1,500 g

On a steady climb only total weight counts: a gram in the wheels costs the same as a gram in the frame or a bottle.¹ A common rule of thumb is about 2 seconds per 100 metres of climbing for every kilogram, so 150 g works out at roughly 3 seconds on a 1,000 m climb.²

Rim weight matters somewhat more when you accelerate, because the rim spins as well as moves forward; physically that effect is at most about twice that of frame weight, and only while speeding up.¹ Claimed weights are measured differently from brand to brand: some include rim tape and valves, others do not, and tolerances of around ±30 g are common.³ Independent weighing usually lands close to the claim once tape and valves are accounted for.⁴

Listed tyre range: what it allows

Mavic approves tyres from 28 mm to 65 mm for the Comete 85. Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm to 32 mm for the 858 NSW.

Comete 8528–65 mm

858 NSW28–32 mm

An approved tyre range is the span of tyre widths a manufacturer permits for a rim, based on the ETRTO/ISO tables for tyre and rim combinations.² Not every brand publishes one: some give a recommendation only, or no maximum. The lower end is the narrowest tyre that fits that internal width safely; the upper end shows how far you can go towards wider, lower-pressure tyres for comfort and grip on rough roads or gravel, provided your frame has the clearance.⁴

In TOUR's tests, wider tyres at a pressure matched to their width roll about as easily as narrower ones on smooth surfaces and add comfort and grip on real roads, while a tyre much wider than the rim costs some aerodynamic drag.¹ Pressure calculators such as Zipp's take the rim's internal width into account as well as the tyre.³

Hookless and hooked rims

The 858 NSW uses a hookless rim, the Comete 85 a hooked rim.

Comete 85 Hooked: lip grips the bead

858 NSW Hookless: straight walls

Simplified sidewall cross-sections.

A hooked rim has a small lip on each sidewall that grips the tyre bead; a hookless rim has straight inner walls.¹ Under the ETRTO/ISO standards, road tyres on hookless rims must not be inflated above 5 bar (72.5 psi),² there are minimum tyre widths for each rim width, for example 29 mm on a 25 mm internal rim,⁵ and most wheel makers publish lists of approved tyres.³

Manufacturers cite precision, strength and lower weight for hookless rims; independent coverage describes the weight saving as modest. Hooked rims accept a wider choice of tyres and higher pressures.⁴ Both work within the standards: check the rim maker's tyre list and the pressure you like to ride before choosing tyres.

Carbon or steel spokes

The Comete 85 uses carbon spokes, the 858 NSW steel spokes (21/21 vs 20/20 front/rear).

Close-up of the Mavic Comete 85 hub and spokes — **Comete 85** 21 front / 21 rear · carbon

Close-up of the Zipp 858 NSW hub and spokes — **858 NSW** 20 front / 20 rear · steel

A carbon spoke weighs roughly half as much as a premium steel bladed spoke,¹ and brands state that carbon is stiffer for its weight.² That is why carbon-spoke versions often use fewer spokes and weigh less: Hunt's Limitless Ti_UD uses 15/18 carbon spokes against 20/24 steel spokes on the standard Limitless.³ Some reviewers describe a more direct feel when sprinting; that is a riding impression, not a measurement.⁵

Steel spokes such as DT Swiss Aerolite or Sapim CX-Ray are standard parts that most workshops can source and replace.⁴ Carbon spokes are more sensitive to side impacts, for example from a derailleur or debris, and may need brand-specific parts or tools;¹ some brands include spare spokes or crash replacement to offset this.⁵ Visually, the lower spoke count and slim blades give carbon-spoke wheels a lighter, more open look.

WHICH ONE FITS

Choose by what matters to you.

Derived from the specifications above. This is not a performance rating.

Choose the Mavic Comete 85 if…

You want to spend less: €2,499, €478 below the 858 NSW
You prefer carbon spokes (the 858 NSW uses steel spokes)
You plan to run tyres wider than 32 mm: approved up to 65 mm

Full Comete 85 profile →

Choose the Zipp 858 NSW if…

Low weight matters to you: 1,500 g, 250 g less than the Comete 85
You prefer steel spokes (the Comete 85 uses carbon spokes)

Full 858 NSW profile →

Common questions.

How much lighter is the Zipp 858 NSW than the Mavic Comete 85?

250 g. The Zipp 858 NSW has a claimed pair weight of 1,500 g, the Mavic Comete 85 1,750 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.

Which has the wider tyre range?

The Mavic Comete 85. Mavic approves tyres from 28 mm to 65 mm for the Comete 85. Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm to 32 mm for the 858 NSW. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your exact tyre and pressure.

What is the price difference between the Mavic Comete 85 and the Zipp 858 NSW?

€478 at our October 2026 price check: the Mavic Comete 85 cost €2,499 and the Zipp 858 NSW €2,977 per pair. Prices change; check the current offer with the retailer or manufacturer.

Which of the two has hookless rims?

The Zipp 858 NSW uses hookless rims, the Mavic Comete 85 hooked rims. On hookless rims, use tyres the manufacturer approves for hookless use.

Your next step.

Mavic Comete 85 Check my Fit → Product profile Mavic product page ↗

Zipp 858 NSW Check my Fit → Product profile Zipp product page ↗

Sources & data notes.

All values come from the Show My Bike catalogue, the same records used on the product pages. Prices checked October 2026. Some model-specific details were reviewed against the manufacturer pages. Manufacturer claims are identified as such. No independent product test is claimed, and no winner is declared.

Mavic Comete 85: manufacturer product page
Zipp 858 NSW: manufacturer product page
Show My Bike product records: Mavic Comete 85 and Zipp 858 NSW