The SSC was Mavic's top professional sprint rim for tubular tyres for many years. There were three versions, blue, silver and grey/black. According to Chuck Schmidt's Mavic timeline the blue was introduced in 1971 and the grey in 1975. The grey was hard anodised making it stiffer (if you do not believe me check out one of the early issues of Cycling Science where they explained that the very thin hard outer layer made added measurable stiffness to a rim) and longer lasting. I don't know when the silver was introduced but I would guess probably at the same time as the blue.
Hilary Stone, Bristol, England
Tom Sanders wrote:
> With all the talk of Mavic rims lately it makes me wonder where the SSC fits
> in timewise and was it a top end rim like it looks? Seems to be much in the
> vein of Module E and Ma 2 & 3 rims.
> Tom Sanders
> Lansing, Mi USA