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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 such products to exercise the utmost caution.
Source: Press Release
In late 2020, a road cyclist nearly suffered a serious fall on a short descent and reported the incident to his Mavic wheel dealer. Thanks to this customer feedback in Northern France, the brand discovered a significant source of counterfeit products from Asia using the Mavic logo, and initiated an investigation and legal action.
Mavic also decided to purchase a pair of these counterfeit wheels to learn more about them. They noted several important points that should alert buyers.
Obvious visual differences compared to authentic 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 compliant with an original Mavic product (current or old model)
- J-bend spokes, spoke count
- Rim depth and width different from the original product
- Basic hub
Laboratory Safety Test Evaluation
Test 1
Basic ISO braking efficiency test (ISO 4210 standard), not intended to be destructive, to prepare the surface.
- Application of 10 braking actions to prepare (break in) the surface before proceeding further and/or preparing for the wet conditions test at a speed of 35 km/h with a 130 kg rider + bike, and with a force of 20daN on the brakes.
Test result on the counterfeit wheel
- Rim destroyed (note that the test had not really started!)
Test 2
- Application of up to 50 cycles to evaluate the effect of a real braking power test
Test result on a counterfeit wheel
- Rim completely destroyed: deformed, delaminated, worn, pierced
Test 3
Test consisting of applying a load to the wheel flanks (45 km/h-30 kg), known as “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 tested counterfeit wheel
- Spokes damaged (broken) after only 50% of the target distance
- Hub damaged (broken) at 90% of the validation limit distance.
Conclusion
These counterfeit wheels are dangerous and can lead to serious, even fatal, injuries. They fail very basic validation tests that guarantee a certain level of safety and reliability to the owner.
Whenever Mavic encounters counterfeit products, legal action is initiated. The brand remains connected to market players to find them. Its partners, retailers, and customers also inform it about what they may encounter. Each time the brand fights and wins 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 of any fraudulent wheels or products you may encounter, by contacting your dealer, distributor, or the brand directly to ensure the safety of all cyclists.
Advice
When purchasing a product, ask yourself if the price truly reflects the quality and finish of that product. A cheap pair of carbon wheels 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 or www.mavic.com/care by trying to register for a warranty case analysis. If the system rejects the request, this product is likely a counterfeit, so let the brand know as soon as possible.
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