First Look: 2019 Mavic Crossmax Elite Carbon

Editor’s note: Mavic is sponsoring our coverage of the Epic Rides Series of mountain bike races in 2018. We’ll be riding Mavic’s 2019 Crossmax Elite Carbon wheels this season.

VeloNews got an exclusive first look at the new Mavic Crossmax Elite Carbon wheels and rode them at the Whiskey Off-Road in April.

Mavic has engineered the Crossmax Elite to be light for XC racing but capable for technical trails. The new unidirectional carbon fiber rims are stiffer than alloy wheels but have the same impact resistance. Using Finite Element Simulation software, Mavic designed the carbon layup to have that stiffness as well as vertical compliance for ride quality. The hookless beads with 26mm inner-width also have better sidewall support as well. These rims are laced onto new hubs with Mavic’s Instant Drive 360 freehub with 24 steel spokes per wheel.

The 2019 wheels will be available in July. Stay tuned for more details.

Read about our recent adventure at Whiskey Off-Road >>

Mavic Crossmax Elite Carbon features

– 27.5″ weight (pair): 1,600g
– 29″ weight (pair): 1,675g
– Full carbon tubeless rim with hookless bead, 26mm inner width
– 24-spoke, two-cross lacing front and rear
– Instant Drive 360 freehub with the option for 11-speed or XD driver
– Alloy axles front and rear
– Compatible with standard axle spacing (15 x 100m/12 x 142mm) or Boost (15 x 110mm/12 x 148mm) with QR adapters available on non-Boost wheels.