"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - More bad news for Mavic and R-Sys

http://www.velonews.com/article/93054/a-shattering-experience---a-post-recall-r-sys-wheel-failure

The front wheel was Mavic's second generation, post-recall carbon-spoke R-Sys wheel.
http://www.velonews.com/files/images/1wheel.jpg

http://www.velonews.com/files/images/10spoke.jpg

shouldn't have left it out in the sun.

I told Mavic engineers that filling the spokes with unicorn hair was not a good idea.

Why do they continue to make this horrible wheel?

I told Mavic engineers that filling the spokes with unicorn hair was not a good idea.

Oh.

This is awkward.

I was the one who told them it was a good idea.

Geeez, that sucks....

Rumor has it that the N Korea nuclear test a few weeks back was actually R-Sys wheels exploding.

some things should not be carbon fiber.

Geeez, that sucks....



I know; for Christ sakes, think of the Unicorns.

The fact that Mavic seems to be blaming it on the rider is all the proof I need to never buy another Mavic product ever again.

The fact that Mavic seems to be blaming it on the rider is all the proof I need to never buy another Mavic product ever again.

That seems not to be their official stance, though the author of the article said that they suggested it. The fact that they sent a commando investigative squad is, I think, reassuring.

That seems not to be their official stance, though the author of the article said that they suggested it. The fact that they sent a commando investigative squad is, I think, reassuring.

That's true. Maybe I'll back off to just never riding a pair of R-Sys wheels. Ever.

You'll have my company in that boat.

Good to know. I'll just stick with Rev X's.

the rider error was purchasing r-sys wheels.

What exactly are they trying to accomplish with the R-Sys? Seems like a lot of damage to the "bomb-proof" reputation earned with the Ksyriums and Carbones just to save a few ounces.

good christ. that second picture is a spear. A real, live, stab you in the heart spear.

instead of bomb-proof they just went with bomb.

The R-sys 'design' is an abomination. The fact that it was approved makes me question any decision Mavic makes.


"Let's replace aerodynamic, dependable spokes with completely un-aerodynamic spokes prone to catastrophic failure".

The R-sys 'design' is an abomination. The fact that it was approved makes me question any decision Mavic makes.


"Let's replace aerodynamic, dependable spokes with completely un-aerodynamic spokes prone to catastrophic failure".

First time I've heard Ksyriums being accused of having aerodynamic qualities

As i just posted in the road forum, I was on Ben's wheel during this crash. I'm in red in this photo, about 5 seconds before the crash. He's 2nd wheel, I'm 3rd:
http://velonews.com/files/images/2turning.jpg

It was no user error. We were in a break of 4, single file. He went around the corner and I think broke a spoke on the exit (there was a slight dip at the exit of the corner). The wheel got wobbly, he swung left. I started going around to the right when he faceplanted. We were going straight at that point. I had to swing way right to avoid him, right to the curb, then hop back out of the gutter to avoid a hay bale.

I was already skeptical of R-Sys wheels, but now I will never, ever ride them.

Oh.

This is awkward.

I was the one who told them it was a good idea.

Hilarious. I truly enjoyed this.

As for mavic r sys always has been a horrible application.

Wow...I didn't realize the guy crashing was the Editor in Chief for Velonews....I wouldn't expect Mavic to get a single good review ever from this point further.

The R-sys 'design' is an abomination. The fact that it was approved makes me question any decision Mavic makes.


"Let's replace aerodynamic, dependable spokes with completely un-aerodynamic spokes prone to catastrophic failure".

No kidding. It's the answer to the question no one asked.

First time I've heard Ksyriums being accused of having aerodynamic qualities

He said spokes, not Ksyriums in general.

As i just posted in the road forum, I was on Ben's wheel during this crash. I'm in red in this photo, about 5 seconds before the crash. He's 2nd wheel, I'm 3rd:
http://velonews.com/files/images/2turning.jpg

It was no user error. We were in a break of 4, single file. He went around the corner and I think broke a spoke on the exit (there was a slight dip at the exit of the corner). The wheel got wobbly, he swung left. I started going around to the right when he faceplanted. We were going straight at that point. I had to swing way right to avoid him, right to the curb, then hop back out of the gutter to avoid a hay bale.

I was already skeptical of R-Sys wheels, but now I will never, ever ride them.

Nice bit of riding to avoid the carnage. With all the focus on the POS wheel, is Ben okay?

Nice bit of riding to avoid the carnage. With all the focus on the POS wheel, is Ben okay?

Broken scapula, broken frame.

At this point, I think Mavic has one option. Recall them all, refund everyone's money, Offer owner's deals on replacement wheels, apologize profusely (while putting in the lawyer weasel language denying any defect, and that you're just doing this out of an abudance of caution) and retire R Sys to the Zap shift grave yard.

Anything short, and this will continue to be a huge PR nightmare. I would suggest they call Johnson and Johnson and ask for the recommendation of a good crisis management consultant.

Broken scapula, broken frame.

so, no?

so, no?

Could have been worse, since he landed on his head.

At this point, I think Mavic has one option. Recall them all, refund everyone's money, Offer owner's deals on replacement wheels, apologize profusely (while putting in the lawyer weasel language denying any defect, and that you're just doing this out of an abudance of caution) and retire R Sys to the Zap shift grave yard.

Anything short, and this will continue to be a huge PR nightmare. I would suggest they call Johnson and Johnson and ask for the recommendation of a good crisis management consultant.


Well with the last wheels they gave the dealers a set of ES's and a set of Equipes as compensation. Should have given them their money back, but that was not an option.

What question did Mavic answer with carbon spokes?

What question did Mavic answer with carbon spokes?

Hey can one of the most respected names in cycling destroy their reputation with one product?

Have you hugged you stainless steel or aluminum spokes today?

I will sleep with my stainless steel bladed Ksyrium Elites on the bed tonight.

careful you don't chop your **** off.

What question did Mavic answer with carbon spokes?

They answered whether or not they had the bugs worked out. They don't.

Let us not be myopic Luddites: both Topolino and Lightweight have shown that carbon spokes are just fine.

The R-Sys is a great conceptual design, poorly executed. That's all. Pointing at carbon spokes as the problem here is like pointing at steel gas tanks as the reason all those Pinto's (http://www.fordpinto.com/blowup.htm) self-immolated. Go throw some witches in a pond already.

They answered whether or not they had the bugs worked out. They don't.

Let us not be myopic Luddites: both Topolino and Lightweight have shown that carbon spokes are just fine.

The R-Sys is a great conceptual design, poorly executed. That's all. Pointing at carbon spokes as the problem here is like pointing at steel gas tanks as the reason all those Pinto's (http://www.fordpinto.com/blowup.htm) self-immolated. Go throw some witches in a pond already.

Hmmm...you seem awfully in favor of this carbon stuff...Race Ex is a witch!!! Burn him!!! Burn Him!!!!!!!!

That seems not to be their official stance, though the author of the article said that they suggested it. The fact that they sent a commando investigative squad is, I think, reassuring.

I am sure the U.N. (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=5442) would approve. (Not the United Nations)


Wow...I didn't realize the guy crashing was the Editor in Chief for Velonews....I wouldn't expect Mavic to get a single good review ever from this point further.

I expect that Mavic's marketing department collectively dropped the deuce when they heard about that.

Hmmm...you seem awfully in favor of this carbon stuff...Race Ex is a witch!!! Burn him!!! Burn Him!!!!!!!!

No no no. You're supposed to tie rocks to me and throw me in a pond. If I sink I'm not a witch then you all can breathe a sigh of relief. If I float, THEN you burn me.

Jeez, do I have to walk you through all of this?

No no no. You're supposed to tie rocks to me and throw me in a pond. If I sink I'm not a witch then you all can breathe a sigh of relief. If I float, THEN you burn me.

Jeez, do I have to walk you through all of this?

http://www.retardzone.com/uploads/2007/09/witch.jpg

No no no. You're supposed to tie rocks to me and throw me in a pond. If I sink I'm not a witch then you all can breathe a sigh of relief. If I float, THEN you burn me.

Jeez, do I have to walk you through all of this?


Who are you to be so wise in the ways of science?

Sorry Ex. This is Monty Python territory. SNL is over in 41.

What question did Mavic answer with carbon spokes?

How can we make bike racing more dangerous?

Sorry Ex. This is Monty Python territory. SNL is over in 41.

Nick Danger? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=200erlAHzU8&feature=related)

They answered whether or not they had the bugs worked out. They don't.

Let us not be myopic Luddites: both Topolino and Lightweight have shown that carbon spokes are just fine.

The R-Sys is a great conceptual design, poorly executed. That's all. Pointing at carbon spokes as the problem here is like pointing at steel gas tanks as the reason all those Pinto's (http://www.fordpinto.com/blowup.htm) self-immolated. Go throw some witches in a pond already.
My local pond is already full of kittens I drowned.

Now.....in my best Samuel L. Jackson say Luddite one mo time....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPHuE5pDlEs

I'm just a kinda fast recreational rider, but I have a set of Topolinos with 25000 miles on them and have never had a problem with the spokes (which are a blend of CF and Kevlar). Nice and light too.

I expect that Mavic's marketing department collectively dropped the deuce when they heard about that.

Mavic had representatives in Boulder within 24 hours. I believe one of the photos up on Velonews is of Ben and the Mavic crew checking out the scene of the crime.


When Ben called me yesterday he said he also broke his rist, and definitely bumped his head. I rode around the course twice for a cool down and he asked me both times whether I had won. He caught himself right after, but still a slight concussion probably. I've known he was going to do an article on this for a little while, but wasn't sure how far he would go in terms of demanding Mavic do something about it. Looks like he stopped short of going all out, but I wouldn't be surprised if the R-Sys disappears pretty soon.

They answered whether or not they had the bugs worked out. They don't.

Let us not be myopic Luddites: both Topolino and Lightweight have shown that carbon spokes are just fine.

The R-Sys is a great conceptual design, poorly executed. That's all. Pointing at carbon spokes as the problem here is like pointing at steel gas tanks as the reason all those Pinto's (http://www.fordpinto.com/blowup.htm) self-immolated. Go throw some witches in a pond already.

Yes carbon spokes under tension work great.

Why you would want carbon spokes under compression, aside from marketing reasons, is beyond me.

Yes carbon spokes under tension work great.

Why you would want carbon spokes under compression, aside from marketing reasons, is beyond me.

to avoid patent infringements?

(total shot in the dark)