I don't know exactly how far back the rims date but I do know that the number designations correspond with the weight of the rims in grams. With the SSC(Paris-Roubaix in its twilight) being the stoutest. It also might be worth noting that the GP-4 was slightly narrower and had a different cross section than the other three. Only 1 to 1.5 mm difference if I can remember correctly. I have all the specs in my rim reference box in storage up North-good place for 'em, eh? Oh, I bought a new pair in '83 when I was building up my Colnago Super. I think they were around even before that period, but probably not too much earlier.
Don Andersen
>So would it be correct, then, to characterize the GP4 as a heavier
>version of the GEL280 and GL330? Was it stronger, was it less
>expensive? I'm just curious.
>
>I thought the GEL280 was available _before_ the GL330 and that the
>GEL280 went back to before 1980.
>
>-S-
>
>
>Mary Pfeiffer wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Message: 20
> > > Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2000 22:21:37 -0500
> > > From: Steve Freides <sjf11@idt.net>
> > > Organization: Friday's Computer, Inc.
> > > To: Classic Lightweights <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > > Subject: [Classicrendezvous] When were Mavic GP4's around?
> > >
> > > I've used GEL280's and GL330, and I've got some that are earlier here
> > > (forget the name right now). What about GP4, when were they? Is
>there
> > > any Mavic timeline online somewhere?
> > >
> > > TIA.
> > >
> > The Mavic GP4 were available at the same time as the GEL280 and 330
> > ~1985-87. These rims weighed close to 400g.
> >
> > Mary Pfeiffer
> > maryp@pfeifferpframes.com
> > PFEIFFER Bicycles
> > http://www.pfeifferpframes.com