Tour de France tech: New wheels from Mavic

By Nick Legan
Published Jun. 30, 2011
Updated Jul. 1, 2011 at 6:56 PM UTC

The new CX-01 version of Mavic's CC80 wheel takes an interesting step in the "wheel system" evolution. The rim and tire are designed to be used exclusively with one another and a foam insert along the tire's sidewall makes for a very slick cross section. Photo: Nick Legan
Jonathan Vaughters said the new Mavic wheel is the fastest he's ever seen in the wind tunnel, especially as a front wheel. What looks like a brake track above the brake pad is a soft foam insert designed to improve aerodynamics. Photo: Nick Legan
Like the rear, the front hub shell is carbon. Straight-pull spokes connect it to the 80mm carbon rim. Photo: Nick Legan
The band that my thumb is touching is a foam insert designed to smooth airflow over the transition between the rim and tire. The wheel, tire and insert are designed as a system. David Millar did extensive testing on the CX-01 and gave it a thumbs-up. In particular he rode the system in the wet to check both the braking and the tire's wet weather behavior. Photo: Nick Legan
Garmin-Cervelo head mechanic Geoff Brown explained that Mavic's CX-01 tire is designed specifically for the new wheel. The mechanic glues it to the rim as usual, but once the tire is on the rim, this foam ring is installed into a groove in the carbon rim. Photo: Nick Legan
The rear hub of the new wheel uses a carbon hub shell. The spokes are black bladed steel: 20 in the rear wheel, 16 in the front. Photo: Nick Legan

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The new CX-01 version of Mavic's CC80 wheel takes an interesting step in the "wheel system" evolution. The rim and tire are designed to be used exclusively with one another and a foam insert along the tire's sidewall makes for a very slick cross section. Photo: Nick Legan

FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech / Quick Look / Tour de France TAGS: Mavic / Tour de France

Nick Legan

After graduating from Indiana University with honors and a degree in French and journalism, Legan jumped straight into wrenching at Pro Peloton bike shop in Boulder for a few years. Then, he began a seven-year stint in the professional ranks, most recently serving for RadioShack at the Tour de France and the Amgen Tour of California. He also worked for Garmin-Slipstream, CSC, Toyota-United, Health Net and Ofoto. You can submit questions to Nick at asknick@competitorgroup.com.