After years of economic turbulence, the traditional French manufacturer Mavic is back on the market with a technically modern competition wheel. The new Comete 50 is positioned as a lightweight and aerodynamically good all-rounder. With carbon spokes and ceramic bearings, it offers high-end technology and presents itself at the cutting edge of technology. The inner width of 23 millimetres matches the tyre widths currently used in professional sport. The wheel pair is said to weigh 1315 grams; it complements the race portfolio alongside the elaborately manufactured and even lighter, but also very expensive Cosmic Ultimate.
The rim shape was created after several development cycles in the laboratory. The engineers carried out tests, prototyping and improvements until the rim profile met the project objectives. The Aero Wide Rim shape is designed to minimise air resistance and increase stability in crosswinds.
Carbon spokes from Vonoa
Each wheel uses 21 flat carbon spokes supplied by Vonoa. Of these, 14 spokes are double-crossed to transfer power. Seven radial spokes ensure balance. According to internal tests, this configuration results in the best ratio between high stiffness, good aerodynamics and low weight. The shape of the carbon spokes was optimised in the wind tunnel. The flat spokes are designed to reduce air resistance caused by frontal and rotating airflow.
Mavic tested the Comete 50 for over 250 hours in the established wind tunnel at CMEFE/HEPIA in Geneva. The tests were carried out at 50 km/h with 28-millimetre tyres. The shape of the rim is said to improve aerodynamics and save 5 to 10 watts, particularly in crosswinds from 10 km/h and an angle of attack of 10 to 20 degrees. At 50 km/h and a wind angle of 15 degrees, Mavic measures an advantage of 5 watts compared to the best current competitor. Over 50 kilometres, the Comete 50 is said to be twelve seconds faster than the Cosmic SLR 45 and four seconds faster than the first competitor.
New hubs with ceramic bearings
The hub uses a toothed disc freewheel with 40 teeth for fast engagement. A customised spring is designed to reduce friction in the freehub. The hub bodies have been designed to be lighter: The rear hub saves 22 grams and the front hub 5 grams compared to its predecessor.
Mavic uses ceramic bearings in the hub. The bearings are designed to reduce friction and improve power transmission, especially at increasing speeds or on hills. The hub has also been aerodynamically redesigned.
Extensive tests for long durability
Each component undergoes individual tests on in-house machines that can perform 57 different tests. The individual tests are followed by a second series of tests on the assembled wheel. Laboratory tests for lateral and vertical load were carried out at 70 km/h with a 120 kg load, which corresponds to a field equivalent of an estimated 700,000 km.
The in-house impact tests are 50 per cent higher than the UCI requirements for frontal crash tests. The assembly of each wheel follows a controlled protocol with spoke tensioning, balancing and dynamic validation.
Use by professionals
Thomas De Gendt, stage winner in all three Grand Tours, tested the Comete 50 during development. The UCI Women's Pro Team St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 uses the wheels in competition. Alison Jackson rides the Comete 50 under race conditions.
The Mavic Comete 50 costs 2499 euros and the wheels are fully assembled at the Mavic headquarters in Annecy, France.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
