DISRAELI GEARS
The 1999 MAVIC Mektronic started from the 1993 science-fiction-electronic MAVIC Zap and took another huge leap into the technical unknown.
Mechanically, it worked in the same way, but removed the wires and added wireless control. It's worth remembering how unusual wireless control of small devices was when the Mektronic was released in 1999 - the first consumer product of any kind to incorporate Bluetooth was also released in 1999, and the Apple iPhone did not hit the market until 2007. In fact MAVIC decided to invent their own communication protocols and went on to patent them. Not only did they have to wrestle with cutting edge electronics, they also had to do so in an environment in which every gram counted. And they did it - the weight of the Mektronic came in at just a couple of grams heavier than the MAVIC Zap.
As with the Zap, the side-on photo, above, of the MAVIC Mektronic does not capture the real presence of the thing - to appreciate its stunning Darth Vader looks please glance through the additional photos.
But, unfortunately, it was all a step too far. The MAVIC Mektronic was widely criticised for the reliability of its wireless system. Riders (usually riders who had never actually ridden one) claimed that Mektronics 'shifted down' when you rode under power lines or 'shifted up' when London Taxis drove past. Legends spread that, when two riders in the same peleton were both using Mektronics, one rider could shift the gears of the other. The cycling community loves a gossipy fable - and I doubt the veracity of many of these stories - but mud sticks.
And I do have some serious concerns:
I think that this example is an earlier MAVIC Mektronic. It is branded 'Mektronic' in large-ish silver writing on the black body, but has no sticker on the chrome flash. The serial number is C5179C.
Browse associated documents.
French Patent # 2,755,420 - MAVIC
French Patent # 2,755,420 - MAVIC
French Patent # 2,755,529 - MAVIC
French Patent # 2,755,529 - MAVIC
MAVIC Mektronic - rear derailleur instructions
MAVIC Mektronic - rear derailleur instructions
AE27410 - Wireless Bike Rear Derailleur System
AE27410 - Wireless Bike Rear Derailleur System
La Bicicletta Guida 99 - Componenti scan 1 of 56
La Bicicletta Guida 99 - Componenti scan 1 of 56
MAVIC Mektronic Service Sheets
MAVIC Mektronic Service Sheets