Chuck wrote:
> When Mavic groups showed up in Southern California in the 1980s they
> were boxed in styrofoam with a set of light SSC rims. None of the shop
> people felt they were "real" SSCs because they weren't "rock crushers"
> (not heavy enough). But of course Mavic labeled them SSC so they were
> SSC; but a light version. (SSC = Special Service Course [racing]).
>
> These rims surface periodically in SoCal, but they are not highly
> coveted because they are not the real deal rock crusher never go out of
> true or get dented pro issue rim.
>
> Mavic to me is _the_ sleeper of collectable bike stuff, what with
> Mavic's emphasis on neutral race support for the past 30 years and
> sponsored riders like Sean Kelly (acknowledged in the peloton as the
> "leader" for 10 years) and Greg Lemond with his 1989 TdF victory by
> seconds and his Worlds win while equipped "Tout Mavic".
>
> And when you bought a Mavic group you also got stem, bars, and rims
> besides all the usual stuff.
I agree with Chuck about the Mavic SSC groupe's longterm potential collectibility. Not only did they sponsor some of the most successful riders, they were also the ones perhaps most responsible for giving Campagnolo their first true scare. In the US, everybody points to Shimano, but Mavic attacked Campagnolo at their heart, amongst the racing teams. It has been told to me by good inside Campagnolo authority that Tullio was livid when Mavic began making components. He was also scared, as Mavic had an incredibly good entry into the world of the pro teams. Unlike Shimano that had to pay heavily to become a sponsor to top teams, teams actually asked for Mavic to supply them (just like Campagnolo!) They also made some serious quality components. Apart from the index shifters that came afterwards, the SSC rear derailleur with adjustable pulley wheel cage height was probably one of the best shifting and durable around. It was as heavy duty as Campagnolo, always shifted the same and possibly even outshifted the Japanese on corncob freewheels, up to a maximum of 21 teeth. (Beyond 21 teeth, I would agree that the Japanese were the ones to beat in shifting crispness) Retro friction levers, Modolo brakes (better than Campagnolo because of their sintered pads and smoother lever action), great headsets, BB, pedals and hubs. The only true disappointments in my opinion were the stem and bars which were very flexible.
I am almost certain that I was the first person in Canada to own a complete SSC groupe back in 1981 (or perhaps 1982, I can't be exactly sure) I picked it up from Bruno Gormand's seriously cute daughter at the NY Coliseum show and both she and her dad said that they had still not shipped anything to Canada at the time. I was super proud. I still have the groupe. However, contrary to what Chuck stated about the California imports (which I expect were handled by Jock Boyer, as he seemed to have a thing going with Gormand's daughter) my groupe did not come with any rims.
--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ