The "proper" tool for removing Mavic circlips is a snapring plier. You'll need a small one, as the points themselves need to be fairly small, and set closely together to work on rings this size. Google- ing for 'small snapring plier' has a bunch of reasonable looking hits.
In a pinch, I've used a micro flat-head screwdriver. If you keep one
side of the ring opening pinned in place, you can wedge the screwdriver under the other side and pry out + up. Once its slightly
lifted, run the screwdriver around the circumference of the pivot. It's a good idea to have spare clips if you use this method -- the likelihood of one shooting off, never to be seen again is high. Probably wise to wear some safety glasses as well -- wouldn't be much
fun to get one in the eye.
With either method, you could end up unflattening the clip, but its pretty easy to tweak them back to a uniform plane with 2 needle nose pliers.
Jeremy Rauch Brooklyn, NY USA
On Mar 13, 2008, at 10:51 PM, Adam Hammond wrote:
> Hello list,
>
> I'm in the process of disassembling my fully "démontable" Mavic
front
> derailleur, but am caught: I just don't know how to remove the small
> circlips. I tried pliers and the sharp points of compass sets, but
> neither worked.
>
> Here's a link to a photo of the derailleur, showing the circlips:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/
>
> Thanks very much!
>
> Adam Hammond
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada