Since 1889

It all began in 1889 in Lyon, France. Two brothers, Léon and Laurent Vielle, set up a metal "nickel plating" business, while Charles Idoux and Lucien Chanel began manufacturing and selling bicycle parts. The former created Établissements Métallurgiques du Rhône (EMR), which operated the AVA brand, while the latter created MAVIC: Manufacture d' Articles Vélocipédiques Idoux et Chanel. What these two companies had in common was their CEO, Henry Gormand.

Aerodynamics inspired the first Mavic wheels. The wheel became an essential concern for our engineers, who drew inspiration from the first aerodynamic studies. In 1973, the Research Department worked on a fibreglass lenticular wheel, the first to be designed by Mavic. Tested on the track and on the road, it was never used in a race, however, as the regulations prohibited it. However, aerodynamic studies had already been taken into account, and Mavic made them a focus of its research.

During the races, Mavic made "neutral and free" assistance available to all riders, based on two key ideas: placing a fully-equipped car in front of the peloton to provide immediate assistance to those who escaped, and offering a complete radio link service between the cars (organisers, doctors, team managers, journalists, etc.). Mavic's first race assistance service dates back to the 1973 Paris-Nice race. It was when Bruno Gormand offered his car at short notice to a team manager who had broken down during the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré in 1972 that he came up with the idea of providing this "neutral" assistance service, which was totally innovative and better suited to riders and organisers.

For some time now, the brand's thinking has focused on wheels, on complete creations rather than assemblies. Young Californians looking for a thrill were turning traditional cycling on its head and launching BMX (Bicycle Motocross) and Mountain Bike. Mavic immediately realised that these off-the-beaten-track disciplines, which broadened the range of cycling activities, were not just passing fads. The brand embraced these practices and marketed its first dedicated wheels in 1983. It was the TTM 504 for BMX, with 20-inch TTM 4 rims and a TTM 560 hub derived from the famous 550 Service Courses. Two years later came the first MTB rims, the M4 and M5, with "hard coat" treatment.

In 1984, Mavic Air Department was created to market ultra-light aircraft (ULM), assembled or in kit form. Two models: the Avid Flyer, of American origin, and the French-designed Air Plume. The latter were assembled at Villeneuve near Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans. But sales did not exceed a few units. The sudden death of Bruno Gormand in December 1985 put an end to this activity. However, the Cessna aircraft acquired by the company provided the radio relay for the races until 1986.

The Comète carbon fibre and Challenger light alloy paracular wheels were launched in 1985. The following year saw the launch of the Comète "+ and -": 12 cells on the periphery accommodate steel weights from 130 to 780g. Riders weighted the wheel to a greater or lesser extent depending on the event.

The wheel as a global system, it was with this approach that Mavic designed the Cosmic. It was marketed in two versions in 1994: Cosmic alu and Cosmic Carbone. 16 stainless steel spokes profiled at the front and rear are arranged in a particular way: straight radial on the front wheels, crossed on the rear wheels. The number, shape and position of these spokes vary from version to version. From research to patent applications, Mavic developed spoke heads and bodies, their positioning and their attachment to rims and hubs, constantly improving the wheel's performance.

In 1996 came the Helium wheel, with its red rims and hubs, the first complete ultra-light wheel designed specifically for mountain use, and the Crossmax, the tough, lightweight "outlaw wheel". Designed specifically as an overall 'system', the Crossmax wheel features an oversized profile and ultra-thin wall, an FTS rear hub and a quick-release system. It has 26 spokes at the front and 28 at the rear, with 3 crossed spokes on the freewheel side and radial spokes on the opposite side. Used at the Atlanta Olympics.

In 1999, Mavic presented the Mektronic, the first wireless electronic drivetrain. Another step forward in electronic derailleur technology, this time the transmission was wireless, using digitally coded radio waves, and there were multiple control points: integrated into the grips and on an on-board computer mounted on the handlebars. This multifunction computer displays speed, distance travelled, elapsed time, cogs selected, etc.

In 2003, Mavic came up with the innovative Wintech cycle computer, which won the Grand Prize for Innovation in the United States the same year it was launched. Its special feature: the sensor is located in the quick-release lever on the front wheel and the data is transmitted wirelessly to the receiver via a coded digital link that is immune to interference.

2007 saw the creation of R-SYS, the third generation of tubular carbon-spoke wheels based on the TraComp concept. TraComp technology prevents the spokes from loosening and maintains the wheel's lateral rigidity under high stress. Tubular carbon spokes fixed to the rim and hub limit deformation and misalignment of the wheel (sail-gripping), minimise material fatigue by reducing spoke tension (longer life), maximising weight reduction and the performance of the complete wheel.

2008 saw the launch of a range of Mavic pedals. Following on from the innovative 646 LMS of 1990, this new range includes three road models. On these items, the emphasis has been placed on energy transfer, the fluidity of the bearings and the resistance of the cleats to wear. The flagship of the range, the Race SL Ti with titanium axle, weighs in at just 110 grams.

In 2017, Mavic is celebrating 40 years of partnership with the Tour de France. Since 1977, riders in the world's greatest cycling race have benefited from our yellow neutral assistance cars.

That same year saw the launch of the Comete Ultimate Shoes, the new shoes that are fully connected to the bike. Featuring a carbon shell with minimal material flex, Comete Ultimate Shoes offer a 19% increase in the foot's range of movement, as well as an ultra-low stack height of 4.5 mm, for a 15% energy saving.

2018 sees the introduction of the new Instant Drive 360 freewheel system, which is lighter and guarantees extremely fast engagement, with a point every 9°. An oversized non-contact rubber seal reduces friction to a minimum, and a wide choice of adapters makes it compatible with all types of frames and axles, for use on all MTB wheels in 2019 (except Deemax DH). 

In 2020, with the takeover by the Bourrelier Group, Mavic returned to being a family-run SME with agile and autonomous governance, refocusing on the products that have made the brand so successful.

2021 saw the launch of Fore Carbon, the first "real" tubeless wheel without a rim tape. Mavic is the only brand to offer an anchoring point for spokes that provides such rigidity on such a light rim. An aluminium insert is moulded into the rim, between the layers of carbon, to ensure a reinforced junction between the spoke and the rim.