Warning about the circulation of counterfeit Mavic wheels

In 2020, a significant source of counterfeit Mavic products from Asia was discovered. Further investigation and legal action have been initiated. The brand urges its customers and potential buyers of this type of product to exercise the utmost caution.

Source: CP

At the end of 2020, one cyclist in route nearly had a serious fall on his bike on a small descent and reported the incident to his Mavic wheel dealer. Thanks to this customer feedback in the North of France, the brand discovered a significant source of counterfeit products from Asia using the Mavic logo, and launched an investigation and legal action.

Mavic also decided to purchase a pair of these counterfeit wheels to learn more about them. She noted several important points that should alert buyers.

Obvious visual differences from genuine Mavic wheels

• Poor design quality
• Poor quality stickers
• No Mavic logo on the hubs
• Logos that do not exactly match those used by the brand
• Specifications (type, material, quantity, etc.) not consistent with an original Mavic product (current or old model)
• J-bent spokes, number of spokes
• Rim height and width different from original product
• Basic hub

Safety assessment of tests in the laboratory

Test 1 
Test Basic ISO brake efficiency test (ISO 4210 standard), not intended to be destructive for surface preparation.

• Application of 10 braking actions to prepare (break in) the surface before going further and/or prepare for the test in wet conditions at a speed of 35 km/h with a cyclist + 130 kg bicycle, and with a force of 20daN on the brakes.

Result of test on the counterfeit wheel

• Destroyed rim (note that the test hasn't really started!)

Test 2

• Application up to 50 cycles to evaluate the effect of a real test braking power

Result of test on a counterfeit wheel

• Rim completely destroyed: deformed, delaminated, worn, crossed

Test 3 
Test consisting of putting a load on the sides of the wheels (45 km/h-30 kg) called “lateral endurance”. The wheel is supposed to withstand several hundred kilometers according to the limits defined by Mavic's long experience. 200 km (spokes) and 300 km (hub flanges).

Result on a counterfeit wheel tested

• Damaged (broken) spokes after only 50% of target distance
• Hub damaged (broken) at 90% of the validation limit distance.

Conclusion

These counterfeit wheels are dangerous and can cause serious or even fatal injuries. They fail at tests very basic validation that guarantees a certain security and reliability to the owner.

Whenever Mavic faces counterfeit products, legal action is taken. The brand stays connected to the market players to find them. Its partners, retailers and customers also inform it about what they may encounter. Every time the brand fights and wins in such a case, stopping both the production and sale of such dangerous counterfeit products, it takes a step forward for safer rides. So, do not hesitate to inform Mavic about the fraudulent wheels or products you may encounter, by contacting your dealer, distributor or the brand directly to ensure the safety of all cyclists.

Tips

When purchasing a product, ask yourself if the price truly reflects the quality and finish of that product. A cheap carbon wheelset should raise your suspicions to preserve your integrity and your own safety.

How to verify authenticity

Ask for the serial number and ask your dealer to contact and verify it with Mavic or do it yourself on www.tech-mavic.com ou www.mavic.com/care when trying to register for a warranty case analysis. If the system denies the request, this product is likely a counterfeit product, so let the brand know as soon as possible.