I made a monokote disk for my p2k (I used aluminum color and it looks great with the blue P2k). The disk works so well, and is so easy to make and re-make, I am wondering if I will ever buy a Renn or just always use a monokote disc?
The reason I am asking is that I am wondering if I should invest $100-$150 in getting a sturdy tubular rear wheel with an ultegra hub and make it into a monokote disc. I don’t want to spend that extra money if I am going to get a Renn later. However, my current clincher monokote disc is working so well I’m wondering if I’ll ever want a “real” disc.
"my current clincher monokote disc is working so well I’m wondering if I’ll ever want a “real” disc. "
I know some people are getting fed up of me constantly saying this, but let me repost it again. A disk is a disk is a disk. And if they also think that having a disk that is 200 grams lighter is going to make them any faster they’re living in fantasy land. However, it could be argued that the cool factor is priceless.
For actual performance stats there is an interesting wind tunnel test comparing a Zipp against a CH Aero cover.
Has anyone thought of using double sided tape instead of Contact Cement to mount the monokote to the disk? For example, so you don’t have to add glue to the sidewall of a carbon wheel?
here’s when you may reconsider… if you decide to recover the same rim.
I made one of these late last year and the thing worked great. i knew i could make the cosmetics a bit better with the lessons learned from my prototype and helping a buddy with his, so decided to redo my disc. i spent quite a bit of time trying different methodologies to get the contact cement off before the redo. I ended up shaving it off with a razorblade scraper and spending much more time than i would have liked.
my new disc has much better cosmetics, i only wish i had not chickened out of the checkerboard pattern film. As for the best way to cut off the excess, my buddy notched a piec of wood the length of the braking surface and made slot for a razor blade to rest. He held it in place while i rotated the wheel. perfect round cut - looks great.
now for that hole i put in it with that screw driver… grrrrr - looking for a good decail.
Has anyone thought of using double sided tape instead of Contact Cement to mount the monokote to the disk? For example, so you don’t have to add glue to the sidewall of a carbon wheel?
Been there, tried that. Double sided tape won’t hold up to the cover being heat-shrinked; it’ll pull off. Nor will it likely survive it’s first encounter with rain.
The home made wheel covers work great on fixed wheel tubulars. because of no breaking surface I mounted the plastic under the rim tape (it was trimmed so that only a small strip was under the tape.) and I also glued it to the rim. I was concerned about introducing another surface in between the tyre and wheel but I’ve had no problems in 2 months of daily use (I can only afford one wheel at the moment,) I love my fixed bike so much that I now comute on a fixed disc wheeled bike. Do I get to work quickly!!
I’m going to do a TT this week and was planning on posting the difference with the disk wheel. I don’t have pictures of the process, but if you’re interested I’ll post pictures of the end product.
Anyone thought about whether their monokote disk is going to be their permanent disk?
I’m thinking of using mine for this season and then trying to sell it, add a couple of bucks and buy a Renn or Hed. Velocity rim, Dura-Ace hub, Tufo tire, red monocote. I’d be really happy with $200.