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Most riders have a general idea of which Mavic wheel they have. Some don’t. Either way, identifying the correct replacement part starts with knowing the exact wheel model and, just as important, the model year.
For Mavic wheels, the model name alone usually is not enough. Mavic used many different versions of the same wheel name across multiple years. Small changes in the hub, axle, freehub, rim, or spoke system can change which replacement parts fit.
To identify spokes, axles, freehub bodies, bearings, and other small parts correctly, you need as much detail as possible: wheel model, model year, front or rear wheel, brake type, axle type, freehub type, and any part numbers or markings on the wheel.
Most complete Mavic wheels made after the mid-1990s have some form of serial number on the rim. On older wheels, this was usually a decal. Around 2015, Mavic began etching the serial number directly into the rim.
The decal version can be a problem. Over time, it may get damaged, worn, or removed completely, which makes the wheel harder to identify by serial number.
If the serial number is still visible, it is usually located on the rim near the valve hole. Start there.
The next step is to go to the Mavic tech page (link to Mavic tech page) and enter the serial number into the wheel model finder
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For wheels newer than roughly 2010, the search result will usually take you to the correct Mavic tech page for that wheel, including front and rear wheel information. For wheels older than 2010, the Mavic tech site may not return a useful result.
Either way, checking the wheel serial number should be the first step when trying to identify a Mavic wheel.
If the serial number does not work on the Mavic tech site, there are still other ways to identify your Mavic wheel. Some are easier than others.
Color, rim size, spoke color, decals, hub design, and brake type can all help narrow things down. For example, if you know you have a Ksyrium SL wheel and the rim and spokes are silver, that points you toward the 2004–2007 model years.
A quick Google search or ChatGPT prompt can sometimes get you close, but with Mavic wheels, “close” is not always good enough. Many wheel models were produced for several years, with some small and some big changes along the way. Those changes often affect which spokes, axles, freehub bodies, bearings, and other replacement parts fit.
A good example is the Ksyrium Elite. The first Ksyrium Elite wheels were produced in 2002, and Mavic made changes every few years after that. Those changes may look minor, but they can mean different spoke lengths, axles, or other small parts.
This is where the Mavic tech catalogs become useful. You can find links to those catalogs at the bottom of every page on this website.
Using the Ksyrium Elite as an example, one of the details I look at is the rear hub design. The rear hub flanges can be a good visual clue for identifying the model year. In the images below, you can see that the 2005 Ksyrium Elite rear hub flanges are distinctly different from the 2007 version.
Once you narrow down the correct model year, the Mavic wheel tech pages can provide part numbers, spoke lengths, exploded views, and other details. This makes it much easier to confirm that you are ordering the correct replacement parts before you start taking the wheel apart and eventually get rolling again.