Better biking
From Next magazine issue 3/2008. Text by Ilkka Järvimäki
The logo of the French company Mavic is a familiar sight on the bright yellow service vehicles at bicycle races. The world’s leading wheel and rim manufacturer has equipped the bicycles of racers and other riders with high-quality products for decades.
In the future, the brand will enjoy even better visibility in both races and training environments. Starting in the spring of 2009, Mavic’s new streamlined M logo will adorn first-rate biking shoes and apparel. Individual product families have been designed for both road and mountain biking. A dozen top cyclists, among them Norway’s Thor Hushovd have already worn the yellow Mavic Zxellium shoes in this season’s tours.
Although shoes and apparel are, in a way, a new market for Mavic, the company is not moving into wholly uncharted territory. In the past few years, Mavic has designed and manufactured biking shoes and apparel for Adidas. Now that valuable experience, along with some of the technical solutions, will be transferred to products equipped with the M logo.
Efficiency and comfort for cycling
Mavic’s lightest road shoe, the Huez, weighs a mere 195 grams (US size 8.5), which is an unofficial world record of a kind. The weights of other top models range from 250 to 300 grams. The low weight of the Huez was achieved by using light and strong carbon fiber in many of the structures.
The Energy outer sole of the top-of-the-line road shoes is made of high-quality carbon fiber. They are super-thin, in parts only 4 millimeters thick, but also very rigid. In the lightest models, the cleat insert is made of light, yet strong, titanium.
The Energy Grip and Terra Grip outer soles of mountain bike shoes feature rubber studs that protect the sole and maintain the grip on slippery surfaces when, for example, the bike has to be walked or carried over challenging terrain.
Carbon fiber is also used in the Energy Lock heel counter. The outer structure of the shoe anchors the heel firmly in place, helping to distribute the power more effectively to the pedals. The Energy Lock solution is up to 50 percent lighter than traditional heel counters.
The new Energy Frame structure makes the outsole sturdier and anchors the foot more firmly in the shoe. This ¬enhances power generation, especially during upward crank rotation.
While Mavic’s Energy structures enhance cycling and optimize the use of the rider’s kinetic energy, the Ergo solutions aim to make cycling as comfortable as possible.
The Ergo Lite structure used for the upper is seamless. It makes the shoes comfortable, well fitting, and light. The structure consists of several layers that adapt to the foot and involve it in all phases of rotation.
The Ergo Fit insoles are made of many layers. The material closest to the sole of the foot ensures proper breathability, while the foamed plastics underneath improve moisture wicking. The third layer dampens vibrations to the foot, which are also minimized by dampening pads placed under the heel and ball of the foot. The insole is rounded off by a heel support structure.
The Ergo Strap doofers made of strong Kevlar cables keep the foot firmly in place. The new structure is light and breathable and reportedly 25 percent stronger than traditional closure systems.
Outfits from own materials
Mavic’s new cycling apparel also follows the company’s “Ride Better” philosophy. Biking shorts, shirts, and jackets are designed to work in the best possible way in different conditions and for various purposes.