Mavic
Mavic is a French bicycle parts manufacturer whose name is an acronym for Manufacture d'Articles Vélocipédiques Idoux et Chanel founded by Charles Idoux and Lucien Chanel. The company is most noted as a manufacturer of bicycle wheels. Many competitive cyclists such as those in the Tour de France ride on Mavic wheels. Mavic is based near St. Etienne, France.
The company manufactures wheelsets, rims, hubs, and various bicycling components such as cassettes, cycling computers, brakes, chains. Mavic products are available for road cycling, MTB, track, and BMX. Their high-end road wheelsets are the Mavic Ksyrium series -- made popular by Lance Armstrong in his first victories in Tour de France -- and the Mavic Cosmic series. The semi-aero Cosmic wheelsets are often seen on many riders' bicycles, and the latest version uses carbon parts. These wheelsets are reportedly very stiff and aerodynamic, although on the heavy side. Many riders swear that Mavic Ksyriums are the best all-around wheelset available today.
Their rims are also very popular among riders and builders. The Mavic Open Pro rim is the de facto all-rounder clincher rim used for training and racing by many riders. The Mavic CXP rims are the semi-aero counterparts to the Open Pro.
Mavic had developed a wireless shifting system in the 1990s that was used by several riders including Chris Boardman. However, it suffered from engineering issues and was discontinued.