bikeperv":1ous5tgp said:I'm not saying they don't look cool and looking cool is a perfectly good purpose all by itself. What I want to know is how Tioga marketed them, surely they didn't just say "it looks cool"!
I just found these bit of interesting info on singletrackworld about John Tomac is clearing out his shed!
http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=1260
SUGINO FRONT TENSION DISC WHEEL
I HAD THIS WHEEL FOR RACING IN THE EARLY 90’S. I DID NOT USE IT MUCH AS IT WAS VERY SKETCHY IN THE WIND. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER, THOUGH OTHERS MAY EXIST (IF SO THEY ARE PROBABLY IN JAPAN). THIS WHEEL HAS ONE HOLE IN EACH SIDE OF THE TENSION SHEETS. THEY SEEM AS THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE BEEN PUT THERE FOR INFLATION PURPOSES, ALTHOUGHT THEY MAY JUST BE DAMAGE HOLES. IT HAS A TIOGA MUD DAWG TIRE ON IT AND I BELIEVE A MAVIC RIM.
PRICE: $900.00
94 YR TIOGA REAR TENSION DISC WHEEL
THIS WHEEL WAS A RACING WHEEL OF MINE FROM 94. YOU WILL SEE IT WAS USED FOR 15 HOURS (THE HOURS ARE WRITTEN ON THE DISC BY MY MECHANIC) I WOULD ONLY RACE ON THESE WHEELS FOR 30-40 HOURS, THEN RETIRE THEM AS THEY WOULD SOMETIMES GRENADE AFTER 50+ HOURS. IT HAS A MAVIC RIM WITH A TIOGA PSYCHO TIRE.
PRICE: $600.00
that tomac sale was years ago & was only accidently leaked to the public, by which time all the stuff had already sold.
disk drives were supposed to be more aerodynamic, with more give IE a form of suspension & making them stronger than a normal wheel.
if you closely on some pics of tomac you can see the wheel numbered, when it reached 20 (IE 20 rides) it was canned.