My 1993 Tioga Disc Drive rear wheel

[racecarjohnny]

As far as I am concerned, the Tioga Disc Drive rear wheel is one of the most iconic items of our pre 1997 MTB world. I've wanted one for years but could never come close to affording one as the prices have sky rocketed. Then in December one popped up on eBay from a US based seller. It was not in great shape, had a tension bolt loose and a tear in the Mylar. The seller was responsive and shared she had connections with some of the Tioga employees who worked on these wheels back in the day. I bid the most I could afford and barely won the auction.

 

[racecarjohnny]

After I received the wheel, it became clear pretty quickly that getting this very expensive old wheel into riding condition was going to be over my head. I spoke to the seller again and she ended up connecting me to John H. the original Tioga Sponsorship/Marketing Director who managed the wheels for their sponsored riders. Great guy with a wealth of information and stories. We ended up striking a deal and John agreed to inspect, clean and repair the wheel so it could be ridden safely. He removed all of the tension bolts, cleaned them, re-attached and trued up the wheel. He repaired the cut in the Mylar and them separated the inner/outer sheets, cleaned them, then sealed it back up. Cool Bill Ron bike shop sticker still on the rim. Ron was supposedly the builder of all the team wheels. I'm thrilled with how things turned out and confident the wheel is now functional. Plan right now is to use it on a Yeti Ultimate build I am just getting started on.

 

[7Speed]

This is next level restoration @racecarjohnny !

 

[racecarjohnny]

This is next level restoration @racecarjohnny !

Thanks @7Speed

 

[JCS]

Great result

 

[Once A Hero]

That’s great that the seller had contacts to aid getting it repaired.
I’m interested to know how the sheets were separated, cleaned up and sealed back up. Could you find out how this is done and what products are needed/used?

 

[racecarjohnny]

That’s great that the seller had contacts to aid getting it repaired.
I’m interested to know how the sheets were separated, cleaned up and sealed back up. Could you find out how this is done and what products are needed/used?

Dm sent