Bikeradar gallery

Mavic 2009: Heavy-duty dirt wheels get lighter

The rear hub sports new ITS-4 internals that engage more than twice as fast as the old FTS-X system.

  • Mavic's burly Deemax wheels drop up to 500g per pair from last year, depending on the configuration.
  • New spined ISM rims shave weight from the Deemax but also help provide a more compliant ride for fewer pinch flats.
  • The rear hub sports new ITS-4 internals that engage more than twice as fast as the old FTS-X system.
  • ITS-4 also leaves more internal room for thru-axles.
  • New Spoke Retention System milling at the hubs supposedly eliminates spoke ejection during hard hits.
  • We like the new silver finish, too, although pro riders will still run bright yellow.
  • The top-end Crossmax SLR loses some weight for '09.
  • A new ISM 3D process removes material from the sides of the rim, not just the inner wall.
  • The Crossmax SLR will also sprout a 20mm TA version for '09 with wider hub flanges for a stiffer wheel.
  • Sorry, you'll still find the same FTS-X internals in here for '09. Maybe we'll see ITS-4 for '10?
  • There will also be a full line of mountain bike shoes, too.
  • Top off-road models will use carbon soles and Contagrip treads borrowed from Salomon.

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The rear hub sports new ITS-4 internals that engage more than twice as fast as the old FTS-X system.

© James Huang