Irishred

What is the best way to true Ksyrium wheels without a spoke wrench/key made for these wheels?
Also- any suggestions as to where I might be able to pick up one of those spoke wrenches/keys?

bargainguy

There is no generic equivalent tool. If you try using some other tool, you can damage the splines.

If memory serves, the Ksyrium uses an M7 nipple.

The proper wrenches are the Mavic M40652 (star shaped) or the Park SW-13 (open-ended wrench).

For the Park, that would be the smaller end of this tool: https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-SW-.../dp/B000YBHOOA

Irishred

Thank you!

veganbikes

Always use the proper tools for the job. In the quest to save money you will end up costing yourself more money and doing some good damage to your wheels.

base2 

In my admittedly limited experience with Mavic "nipple threads into spoke bed" type construction, I've never had one not explode & pull through upon any rotation of the nipple. The tension is very high from the get-go & corrosion on untreated bare metal threads destroyes any sembelance of integrity in short order after the wheel leaves the factory.

This is one case where I'd leave "well enough" alone. There just isn't enough thickness and enough threads to have integrity beyond the wheels initial build even if they did take proper corrosion prevention measures. It truly is a one & done type situation.

easyupbug 

I disagree with leave well enough alone unless perhaps you are in a very wet area like the PNW. If the out of true gets bad enough rim to pad and or tire to frame/fork can result in stuttering or worse lockup. In very wet situations I can see with the aluminum rim and stainless steel nipple there is a risk of galvanic corrosion lockup but not in much of the country. If only a few spokes are frozen they can be drilled out without damage to the rim.

base2 

You are aware that the nipple itself screws into threads cut into the spoke bed, correct? The Mavic nipple that uses that wrench functions more like a bolt. Wheels constructed that special spoke wrench do not have nipples that resemble standard nipples at all. Repair would require something akin to a Heli-coil installed into the newly created gaping hole in the rim...if such a thing were even possible. It is a very high risk, crack prone design that does not age well WRT maintainence/repair.

Mavic has several different designs of non-standard spoke/nipple combinations. I am happy to be wrong.

easyupbug 

Yes I am familiar with Mavic owning several over the years but agree not for the less mechanical in wet environments. I have only dealt with the easy cases of stuck nipples where all I had to do was cut the spoke, grind it down to the treads, drill a hole for the Easyout bolt/screw extractor to get the nipple out just like any frozen bolt. Since lubing the threads with Super Lube I or my PNW family have not had a problem. My son-in-law in Vancouver WA had to drill and then carefully grind out the nipple until it collapses and then clean the threads with a tap.

Irishred

I am wondering why Mavic has discontinued making the Ksyrium wheels.

easyupbug 

Why would you say this? Just looked at the Mavic web site and several are shown.

Irishred

European is the only one I could find, and it's been a long time since I've seen them in any bike shops in the U.S.- that's why.

base2 

The two brothers or whoever that own Mavic got into a fight with each other over some stupid petty matter. Discontinuance of distribution to the US was the fallout.

I'm sure there are other details and someone with more intel will enlighten us all. In the meantime though, the fact remains. Mavic is not interested in the likes of us.

Garfield Cat

This may help:Bicycle Retailer News

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/indu...vermont-office

Mavic returns to North America with Vermont office

Published September 21, 2023

by Steve Frothingham

WATERBURY, Vt. (BRAIN) — Mavic, which was acquired in 2020 out of receivership by the French investment group Bourrelier, has had no presence in the U.S. market since at least that time, leaving retailers and consumers to struggle to find repair parts and service.

Now the legendary French brand has opened an office in Vermont, which will handle sales and service in North America.

“We are thrilled to be back in the USA to address the needs of our North American customers with our new Mavic Service Center in Waterbury, Vermont,” said Jean-Michel Bourrelier, CEO of Mavic USA. “We are also very excited to unveil many new products in the coming months, relevant to the U.S. market and local riders. We hope that American gravel, mountain and road riders will be able to experience our new wheel technologies and discover our new apparel that celebrate the long-standing history of our brand.”

_________________________________________________________________________

Mavic North America

https://www.mavic.com/en-us

Address: 5 Pilgrim Park Rd, Waterbury Village Historic District, VT 05676