Eric Elman wrote:
> Can someone explain what is so special about Mavic SSC rims?
>
> They usually sell for big $$$$; I've only seen them on really top
> tier racing bikes. I just acquired one single rim and it looks to
> be manufactured the same as other Mavic rims of the period. They
> are heavier then some of the other Mavic rims offered at the same
> time too. So, what is special about them?
SSC (Special Service Course = Special Race Use) Blue (1971) and Grey, also called Paris-Roubaix (1975) were, quoting from the catalog, "reserved for racers and professionals." They were very rare and very expensive back in the mid-1970s; $120.00 each at Marina Del Rey bike shop here in SoCal I remember.
Here's some prices for single rims from a 1975 mail order catalog (Bikecology) for comparison: Fiamme - Red Label/360g - $7.88 Fiamme - Yellow Label/290g - $14.10 Super Champion - Arc en Ciel/330g - $11/95 Super Champion - Record du Monde/280g - $12.50 Super Champion - Medaille d'Or/260g - $14.95 Martano - 360/360g - $8.25 Martano - 310/310g - $9.50 Martano - 280/280g - $11.88 Mavic - Monthlery Pro/395g - $7.22 Mavic - Monthlery Legere/310g - $15.00 Mavic - Extra Legere/269g - $17.88
The Blue SSC weighed 395g and the Grey SSC was 400g. They had a reputation for being bullet-proof and at those weights how could they not be? We called them rock crushers!
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)