First, does the cassette carrier have a needle bearing in it? I bought a pair of wheels with a cheap Taiwanese hub and the cassette carrier needle bearing (and the running surface on the axle) was quickly ruined by water getting past the seals and also bits flying off the ratchet pawls - mine lasted about three months on the bike. The cassette carrier on the Renn website looks very similar to the taiwanese hub I had. Yes the disk will see less use than normal wheels but I prefer a sealed ball bearing for longevity.
Second, has anyone ordered the wheel from Canada direct from Renn? What about duties and GST and any other tips? Any pointers are appreciated. I could get delivered to a warehouse in Blaine but then I have to try and get it over the border… rather not go that option.
Not sure about the bearing issue…but I love my 575 prototype and I’ll tout the wheel to anyone who’ll listen.
As to the shipping issue I think Frank used USPS when he shipped mine. A much better way to go. The value of the wheel will be converted into CAN funds and then you have to pay PST and GST based on the converted amount. If using USPS you pay an additional $5 for them to do the customs paperwork…if using a courier…it’s gonna hurt…a lot. They seem to want to charge obscene amounts of money for bringing things into Canada and them having to fill in the customs paperwork. If having it delivered to the states in an option for you…and they’d otherwise be shipping via courier…go pick it up. Even with the price of gas being what it is…you’ll save money.
I just ordered a wheel from all3sports.com. Renn had some of last year’s hubs left over and put the hubs in this year’s disk (nice discount). I test road a Renn at SOMA this weekend and it has the old hub in it and I can tell you this disk will “roll” with anything out there.
And based on what everyone says about Renn, you can’t go wrong with this wheel. Mine came in the other day and it’s a true as ever and even without putting a skewer in, spins for ever.