Mavic have had a few pairs of their latest wheels on test at the Tour with Team Cofidis. Bradley Wiggins and his team mates had a testing time in more ways that one… This was to field-test the new prototypes and to gain valuable feedback from the top riders. These guys don’t use stuff they don’t like for long and they all seemed to use the new wheels for the duration of the Tour, so far so good.

We can’t help but comment that they look very similar to Lightweight’s and the construction also looks very similar. Perhaps this is a nod to the advantages that the Lightweight wheel offers in performance and weight saving, either way Mavic are certainly keen to experiment and develop new technology. Expect a full launch at the September bike shows, just remember you heard it here first…

Here’s the blurb from Mavic:

Lightness: easy acceleration and faster climbs
Rigidity: less energy loss and full power transfer
Aero: faster at high speed level surface and downhill

Tour de France

Method Prototyping Machine and field tests (UCI approved) and professional cyclists input (such as with Cofidis) Long term development Featuring Mix of aeronautic fibres strategically placed.

Construction:

Mixed density foam core : calculated inertia effect
Perfect waterproof ness : one molded piece ; no holes
Molded tangential “2 in 1”unidirectional full carbon spokes
Aero carbon front hub
Ultra light aluminum one piece rear hub Full carbon 40 mm aero rim -balanced asymmetrical rear rim Linear and reinforced braking surfaces

Cofidis riders at Alpe d’Huez