With the Olympic Games getting underway in Rio this weekend, Mavic set-about revising its iconic Comete and iO and track wheels to be even faster against the clock.
Mavic’s “five spoke” carbon iO track wheel was originally designed for the Atlanta Olympics utilizing a v-shaped deep rim, monoblock construction and 3k carbon weave. Since hitting the boards in 1996 the distinctive iO, paired with the Comete disc, is the winningest Olympic and World Championship wheel-system, claiming more victories than any other wheelset.
The iO was so perfectly engineered that it stood on top, unchanged, for 19 years. Now with trends in track racing moving towards wider tyres, the time has come for an update.
Accordingly, for the Rio Olympic Games cycling’s most iconic wheelset has been updated, and as an added bonus, became faster with an overall savings of up to 20 watts over previous models. This was achieved without compromising stiffness or weight, yet in a more versatile platform for tire selection.
Both the iO Rio and the Comete received increased rim width (from 18 up to 22mm for the iO Rio, 19 -0 21.5mm for the Comete) for a more optimal interface with today’s wider (21-22mm) tubular tires. The Comete received a new, wider elliptical rim profile while the iO saw improvements in aerodynamic performance.
The spokes on the iO Rio were markedly slimmed, receiving a 20mm reduction from rim to hub. This contributed to the increase in aero performance.
The USA Track squads will be one of the many teams using this wheel system in Rio.
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