Mavic has been preparing to launch a new road wheelset called "Comete". Their first 32-inch wheelsets are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

A closer look at the blade-shaped spokes on the Comete 50 (Pic: Ash Suter)

The completely new Comete 50 has a 50 mm depth and a 23 mm internal width and is set to be released to OEM partners in Q1 2026. With the current trend toward larger 32" wheel sizes and improved aerodynamic profiles, Mavic anticipates that the new design will perform exceptionally well. François Joly, Mavic Head of Sales, says they are "ideal" for 30mm tires and are working on a variety of options and solutions before release.

Global OEM Manager Mario Pereira holding the Comete 50 (Pic: Ash Suter)

Many companies have received prototypes, but many are still "unsure what to do with their frames". 32" MAVIC wheels have been spotted on KTM's "Project Sixty Four" bike, indicating that exciting developments are taking place behind closed doors in a variety of disciplines.

A Mavic 32 inch wheel set was spotted earlier this year (Credit: KTM)

According to Mavic Global OEM Manager Mario Pereira, the decision to adopt a new wheel size is "based on studies conducted over the past decade"—not just by Mavic, but across the industry. These studies have demonstrated that wider tires do not reduce performance.

For a long time, thinner tires were thought to provide better performance and less rolling resistance, but it has now been demonstrated that wider tires can be just as fast while providing more comfort. A wider wheel that accommodates these tires can thus be more efficient and adaptable.

“32-inch wheels are the new thing on the market that everybody is speaking about; many brands are already developing them, and we need to have a solution. So we have these solutions for MTB and gravel bikes, our first attempt at 32 inches,” Mr. Pereira said.

“We will have the same setup for MTB and Gravel—for now just alloys, but we’ll be looking into carbon solutions soon. We’re aiming to be 2 years ahead of the game.”

It's a competitive market segment, but Mr. Pereira believes that MAVIC's ratchet system on the hub, extreme testing (with over 52 tests on each wheel sold at their in-house lab in Chavanod and wind tunnel tests at Geneva University), and the MAVIC service center behind each wheel all contribute to the company's success. Customers can easily request a crash replacement or service.

“When we sell a wheel, we don’t just sell the wheel; we sell the whole package to the client. So even as an OEM, you need not worry with MAVIC wheels about service and warranty,” he added. MAVIC wheels can also be personalized; they have their standard decals and designs, but for OEMs, depending on the quantity, all can be customized.