Fw: [CR]SSC Rims...FYI....

<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 9:43 AM Subject: Re: [CR]SSC Rims...FYI....

> SSC Rims...
>
> FYI...
>
> During the late '70's to early '80's I was the SRC Raleigh head mechanic
> and equipment manager for the National level team based in Ames, Iowa
> owned by Michael Fatka of Michaels Cyclery. Many USCF National Team
> Members came from this team. This was the USA counter part to the TI
> Raleigh Team.
> I also did several south of the Border trips as a USCF National Team
> Mechanic with Bill Woodul as well as becoming the first USCF mechanics
> instructor.
>
> Mavi SSC rims, and to just a slightly lesser extent the GP4 rim were the
> rim of choice for real racing (crits don't count). We built them with 36
> or 32 holes only on Campy small flange (nobody in their right mind ever
> used anything but Campagnolo), DT 14 gauge spokes tied and soldered, with
> Vittoria CX, Clement Paris-Roubouix or Champion del Mondo tires.
>
> These wheels/tires were used for stage racing in the winter months down
> south. They never broke
> and got the riders to the finish line. We could sell them to other
> international teams (usually South American) after the race and bring home
> enough cash to build another pair and make a small profit.
>
> When racing, rim weight is ridiculous and a non-factor in all but
> specialty races. You have to get to the finish line intact. True,
> lighter rims do go faster, but they break....often.
>
> While everyone seems to be an expert, until you've got 6 riders in a 2
> week south of the border stage race with nothing but international teams,
> roads from hell, and hundreds of thousands screaming spectators lining a
> stage in the mountains, you haven't been to a bike race. I loved it!
>
> While I have some old Campagnolo left over that Campagolo in the US gave
> me, I wish I hade some SSC's or GP4's.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Andy Bohlmann
> Colorado Springs, CO USA
> http://www.sandcreeksports.com
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric Goforth" <ewgoforth@earthlink.net>
> To: "CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 7:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR]More - Mavic SSC Rims ???
>
>
>> Eric Elman wrote:
>>> Thanks everyone for your replies and information It was mostly factual
>>> and a great start. Now though, I'm really curious to know if in the
>>> day, were these used for training or actually raced on? Seems that
>>> there were plently of other very durable rims that were lighter and
>>> therefore I presume, better for the serious racer. No?
>>>
>>> Seems to me the SSC rims would have been more of a weight disadvantage
>>> in a race versus the bombproof durability noted in numerous replies.
>>>
>>> Thoughts on list please.
>>>
>>> Thanks agaain,
>>>
>>> Eric Elman
>>> Somers, CT USA
>>>
>>
>> I remember reading in Winning Magazine in the early eighties that the
>> Renault Gitane team ran Mavic SSC rims on their race bikes. I suppose
>> they may have used lighter rims for some races, but I think the Mavic SSC
>> were widely raced on back then, especially in races where durability was
>> a major concern, like the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix.
>>
>> -Eric
>>
>> --
>> Eric Goforth
>> Raleigh, NC USA