Two questions:
- When will it be available?
- What will is look like, metal spoked deep or tri spoked carbon?
Bob Sigerson
El Perv-
Don’t want to step on Frank’s toes but:
The wheel is a carbon tri-spoke, molded after the original “Tri-Spoke” tri-spoke, the white one Mark Allen had 2 flats on in Kona '88, opening the door for Molina’s victory.
It’ll be a front only, Frank’s lovely girlfriend was riding the clincher prototype at S’port Nats.
Weight’s good, aerodynamics are good, looks good, price will probably be great.
And no, you can’t have one for Christmas. Spring, I think.
Barbie, is Frank putting in the new hub on the front?
Perv
Don’t let your race wheel money burn a hole in your pocket (yet), I have good suspicion that the long-awaited follow-up to the smash-hit Renn disc should be around by spring. From what I hear, it is worth the wait. Maybe spoked, maybe full-composite, maybe both…
I just bought one of the Renn “seconds”, it looks great btw and seems very smooth. I went tubular (!) and when I mentioned to Frank I would need to get a front tubular, he told me he would have his front wheel in the spring. From our conversation, I would say it is more like a Zipp, unless anyone has actually seen it.
Saw a new Renn all carbon spoked wheel today at IMFL. Frank said it would be ready for spring. Looked like a dang nice wheel. Also saw a tri-spoke labeled as a Renn. Fella said it was a prototype. Looked OK also. Just FYI.
Where exactly can I find photos of this “original tri-spoke?”
.
ok, I stand corrected, it was just a guess. IMO, the tri spoke looks cooler than the deep rim anyway. It is all about looks, right? Also, can anyone be articulate about the difference between flat and lenticular? From my conversation with Frank, a disc is a disc. I’ve also been told that a Renn is a nice “beginner” disc. Is that like training wheels for TT bikes? All I know is I have a nice, light, smooth disc that cost hundreds less than the others. When I get the front wheel, all I’ll need is a 700c bike. I’m working on that one. Anyone in the market for a 650c “beginner” tri bike?
what is the original “tri-spoke?” Is this the one dupont created the has eventually progressed to the H3. If it is, the obvious questions follow (patent) and if not the original what is the story /scoop on the original tri-spoke.
There was another three spoke wheel on the market that was actually called the “Trispoke”. I’m not sure where they were made or by whom. Blades were not as deep as the Specialized/Hed. I’m not sure if it was ever tested in a windtunnel and I have no idea how much it weighed.
Here is a pic of the old Tri-Spoke wheel.
Aerodynamic data can be found here:
A disc is a disc is a disc is a disc. Lenticular, dimpled, flat, blah blah blah.
Here’s the bunnyman take: a flat disc is the best shape as it will punch a smaller hole in the wind, is easier to build cheaply AND lightweight. Lenticular shapes make a very bloated wheel, as you have to use so much more material than in a flat disc. A “hollow” disc is so much heavier because of the fact that there is no core. If F1 tubs were hollow, they would weigh a ton. They use both aluminium and nomex honeycomb cores to lighten up, and they only need a few layers of carbon.
I have owned some of the other expensive discs, and the Renn makes them seem like overpriced pieces of crap. The Renn hub was so much smoother, and I have not had that bloody awful squeaking noise of my old Zipps. What makes a Renn reject would pass as flawless cosmetics for many other companies’ products.
I am not bashing Zipp, because they do put out a nice wheel, but is it so much more a disc wheel because of it’s price? I think not. You do get a carbon rim with the Zipp, which is both a good and bad thing. But Zipp did finally get a good braking surface. I think anything higher priced than Frank’s offering is 100% bull sh*t.
So a beginner’s disc? I think not. It is good enough for any age grouper OR pro and is probably going to be of much higher quality than most of the others, as well.
“beginner disc”?..simon whitfield, team kinesis, sergio marques (he did do his first ironman and finished 7th overall) all good “beginners” that used a renn disc. i think some “beginner” at nationals placed in the top 5 overall on a renn. one of our “beginner” masters racers on my cycling team placed third in the nationals time trial. i wish i had a list of all the “beginners” who have done so well on our “beginner disc”. =)
also, after the fifth person proclaimed “i thought you were older” at IMFL i thought i should tell y’all i’m but 36 years old…funny really…my older brother thought so anyway.
frank rehnelt
“after the fifth person proclaimed “i thought you were older” at IMFL i thought i should tell y’all i’m but 36 years old…funny really…my older brother thought so anyway”
It’s the forum…it makes you look 10 years older and your ass fatter.
If this is the Renn tri spoke (big if), then the numbers from the website info provided are pretty darned good.
I just had a conversation with the youngster Frank-ee yesterday. Here is what he told me:
a) The “Renn tri spoke” is in it’s earliest developmental stages. It may or may not become what some of you have seen. Frank is merely putting riders and his logos onto wheel designs he is testing. It is definitely not ready for prime time.
b) A wire spoked wheel should be out by spring. I can’t say everything that was discussed in this conversation, but spring 2004 is when we should be seeing the follow-up to the Renn disc, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Frank has some great visions about his upcoming products, and by judging the kind of work he has put into his disc wheels, whatever comes later will definitely be worth the wait.
I saw it at IMFL. It looks just like the picture!