Also from a artistic perspective, the early Mavic components are desirable. Visually, a first generation set of Mavic hubs on a pair of SSC rims is easily on a par with Campy, if not finished better by degrees.
Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
> 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