See also: MAVIC documents

Country: France

Charles Idoux and Lucien Chanel established the company ‘Manufacture d’Articles Velocipedique Idoux et Chanel’ (MAVIC) possibly in 1889 in Saint Trivier sur Moignans, north of Lyon.

In 1934 MAVIC introduced their signature product - the aluminium rim for tubular tyres. The legend goes that Antonin Magne won the Tour de France using these rims but that they were painted to look like wooden rims, because aluminium rims were banned.

Over the next 70 years MAVIC established themselves as the preeminent manufacturer of high quality bicycle rims - a position that they occupy today. They have a deserved reputation for precision, quality and finish.

MAVIC claim that they introduced their first complete groupset, including rear derailleur in 1979. This does not match with my own memory, or with those of various acquaintances who were racing at the time - we remember the derailleurs as appearing later, probably in 1982. It is more than possible that MAVIC supplied the French market in 1979, or possibly only supplied pro teams at this time. More...