Re: [CR] Mavic MA VS. MA2?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

In-Reply-To: <490D638D.6040809@m-gineering.nl>
References: <BAY109-DAV1D4FE7A92B9BE99AA33269C220@phx.gbl>
Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2008 07:54:36 -0700
To: M-gineering <info@m-gineering.nl>
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Mavic MA VS. MA2?
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

>R.S. Broderick wrote:
>>..let us just say that when it came to branding, labeling, and such,
>>quality control in the vintage era was decidedly not MAVIC's forte.
>>

It depends what vintage era...

In the 1930s, it was Mavic who introduced the first aluminum rims that found widespread acceptance. In the 1940s and 1950s, the best bikes were equipped with Mavic, because their rims were the best.

By the 1990s, the Mavic MA-2 indeed were not the best. Considering their hefty weight, they should build up better than they do. But by that point, they were the only traditional silver box-section rims that were easily available, and they gave good service once built.

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com