Specialized 700c Tri Spoke Carbon Wheels - using a rear wheel up front?

[DuoTech]

These carbon wheels were attached to a very nice racer donated to my local community bike charity. Initially we assumed it was a wheelset but it now appears to be two rears that were being used as a front and rear pair? The right has a freehub, whilst the left has threads for screwing on a freewheel and was being used as a front wheel. Was/is this a thing in the world of tri spokes? Using a rear up front? Or was the previous owner just a mad man? Also any comments on potential value appreciated.

 

[bikeworkshop]

There were some early carbon wheels where the same hub (inc freewheel thread) was used front and rear, but different axles fitted, to give say 100 front and 126 rear

 

[Jonny69]

HED disc wheels with screw-on freewheels could be used as fronts with a narrower axle and shorter end caps.

 

[DuoTech]

Thanks gents. Makes sense. Axle measures 110mm so definitely looks like it's been switched out for front use.

Any ideas what kind of price these go for?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Specialized developed the wheel (with hed?) then sold the process on to HED.
As a rule early specialized (late 80s) all had the freewheel thread front and rear, with 2 different axle lengths - then later as freehub became standard, HED introduced a freehub version and a specific front wheel. So your 2 wheels are different ages.
Top dollar for a good pair is 400 iirc low price 250?