Mavic Infinity Hub: What It Is and How It Works

It is the latest version that equips the wheels of the French company and is called Infinity hub 801 SP. It is very different if compared to the previous generation and has two main objectives: the first is to guarantee efficiency and immediate engagement of the freewheel, the second is to be long-lasting and minimize maintenance. For these reasons too, Mavic Infinity adopts the acronym ID360 (InstantDrive 360), efficiency at every point and moment of the rotating phase. Before continuing our discussion, let's watch the animated video that gives a precise idea of ​​our subject.

Mavic Infinity, how it's made

The body of the hub it is obtained thanks to the action of machines CNC and originally it is a single block of aluminum: there are no joints and parts glued or applied at a later time. Mavic's Infinity Hub SP (straight Pull) acts as a casing and hides an internal mechanism. Starting from the drive side, the freewheel, which can be for Shimano (including the MicroSpline version), Sram XD and Campagnolo (and N3W), is supported by a 17mm diameter thru axle, 2,5mm thick. These are not random numbers, especially the one referring to the thickness (increased by 66% compared to the main competitor), higher than the market standards. But let's proceed in order.

The interior

• Behind the bodice there is a spring (the only one present) and two cogwheels.
• The first is a kind of shock absorber, while the two gears are the heart of the system. I'm in alloy and machined with CNC machines, available with 40 or 24 teeth (for the MTB version). The first solution has an engagement angle of 9°, the second of 15°. Both feature a sort of recess, which functions as a housing for the spring on one side and for a “silencer” (a real rubber ring that can be removed without problems) on the other.
• A larger O-ring is positioned between the hub recess and the freewheel contact area, with the task of shielding and protecting the rotation compartment from dirt, moisture and water.
• The last component is a sealed bearing with steel balls, of excellent quality and long life, with a diameter increased by 40%, compared to the first competitor on the market. The larger spheres contribute to the longevity of the compartment.
• The non-drive side, however, is much simpler in terms of construction and assembly. External adapters act as covers. A metal snap ring closes and seals, and a washer protects the sealed bearings. This, in addition to shielding them, optimizes the preload, which is always optimal and requires no adjustment.
• And then there are the flanges where the spokes engage. The spokes are straight-head and have the same length for the front and rear wheels.

What changes?

The freewheel side has no stops, screws or locks. To remove the body simply pull upwards and it is not necessary to remove the sprockets. This translates into one greater ease of cleaning and maintenance. When reinserting the rotating parts and shields, you can safely skip the rubber ring (the silencer) without sacrificing the wheel's efficiency. When rotating, when you're not pedaling, the hub will have a loud, metallic "sound," which is popular with racers! Mavic’s Inifinity hub has eliminated any possibility of adjusting the bearing preload: the compartment is perfectly “set from the factory”. There is no longer an external ring that compresses and/or releases pressure, a factor that eliminates the risk of crushing, in favor of maintenance that is “almost” eliminated.

Mavic (which produced and licensed the images used in this article) is working hard to return to top-tier professional cycling. The latest rumors suggest that in 2022 we won't see the French company's wheels in the men's WorldTour, but will instead be found in a women's team: the Team DropsLeCol.

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