Mavic is one name that doesn’t need an introduction. The yellow Deemax rims sport an iconic look that, unless you’re totally new to the sport, you know right away is a Mavic. The company has actually been in business since 1889 and the name Mavic is actually an acronym – Manufacture d’Articles Vlocipdiques Idoux et Chanel (translation: manufacturers of articles for bicycles from Idoux and Chanel).
For 2011 Mavic is keeping most of the MTB wheelsets the same but did improve the mid-level Crosstrail Disk wheels, making them lighter and stiffer and adding a host of features. Mavic is also bringing back the Crossride UB/Disc wheelset which is a good replacement wheelset for those who are ready to swap out their OEM hoops. The Crossrides are compatible with either disk or v-brakes and perform well at a budget-friendly price.
Beyond wheels, Mavic is serious about electronics and showed off a revamped Wintech Wireless USB cycling computer that can be hooked up to your PC for serious data crunching. The large display makes it easy to see key stats at a glance plus, with the power to customize the data fields, you can view various sensor outputs (power, heart rate, etc.) on a single screen.
I also got the chance to preview Mavic’s expanded shoe and clothing lineup at Interbike. With the help of parent company Solomon (also a huge name in Alpine skiing / sports wear), Mavic has put considerable resources into creating high quality footwear for 2011 and beyond. Both trek7k and I were impressed with the quality and weight of the various shoes in the line up. With high-end racing XC shoes in the upper $300-range (the yellow Fury above) down to shoes in the $120-range (more my speed), Mavic has a ton of options to choose from (plus three colors of each model). I was really impressed with their new AM shoes (the white ones pictured above) – great ankle support, hidden laces to prevent brush snags, and a decent tread design for hike-a-bike. Definitely explore the Mavic website yourself and see what else they have for 2011!
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