Classic & Vintage - Mavic MA-40, what the hey?

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Erzulis Boat
03-10-06, 01:07 PM
Why would NOS Mavic MA-40's (32 hole rims, set on E-bay) generate such a buzz?

Somebody is bidding $140.00. Is this foolhardy, or am I missing something?

Now, I need a set, but what gives?

wagathon
03-10-06, 02:49 PM
Isn't the MA40 just the rim? What are the hubs? I paid $175 for a 32-hole Mavic Open Pro wheelset with Mavic hubs and Wheelsmith butted spokes, from Performance (aka, Supergo) :)
Dr.Deltron
03-10-06, 09:22 PM
Most of my old road bikes have either MA-40's (grey) or MA-2's (silver). Most of them I asked for at LBSs and they dug some out of the attic. Most I've paid is $40/pair.
eBayers sometimes get into a bidding war when two oR more bidders HAVE TO HAVE THAT ITEM NOW!!!
I would suggest waiting and watching. Some seller wills see that $140 and put their MA-40's up for auction. That pair will probably sell for a bit less. Then someone else will want to get in on that action and offer a pair. They'll probably get $100/pr. And then another pair will go for $75. Yet another pair will get down to say, $40. THEN, you won't see them offered for a while. When they show up again, they'll likely be around $140 again.
I have collected G scale trains for many years and watched that scenario play out many times on eBay.
OK, you got my interest. I pulled down a pair of the 40's, but they are 27x1 1/4". Maybe they're worth MORE than $140!? Thanks for the "heads up"!
Dr.D

cdngrimpeur
03-17-06, 12:56 AM
The rims were probably Bontrager rolldowns from the 80's. I would attest to the strength, I had one for years on my rear wheel.

Do you still have the eBay item number on those?

From wikipedia:

In 1984 Keith came up with the idea of cutting 700C (ISO 622) 40-hole Mavic MA-2 tandem rims down to the circumference of a 26" rim, and re-rolling them and to create 32-hole 26" rim.

Special purpose mountain bike rims at that time were scarce and/or heavy. The Bontrager rims (later using the hard anodized MA-40 profile) were the first lightweight yet strong mountain bike rims though made out of profile intended for road racing bicycles, predating lightweight rims by Specialized (designed by Wilderness Trail Bikes), Sun Metal, Ritchey or even Mavic themselves.