3rensho
 

Never owned one, but the pics in the pics phorum looked awesome. What's the story with these frames? Do they still make them? Where can you get one? Info please!

"Mr Yoshi Konno began his building career by unbrazing Cinellis acquired after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. HIs accomplished college cycling career brought him initial notice in the cycling community. He remained a formidable cyclist through middle age, completing a quick double century on his 40th birthday. His famous customers include Koichi Nakano (most of whose frames were Nagasawas), Dave Grylls (Pan Am gold medal), Gibby Hatton, Dave Harrington, Bob Mionske (4th at Seoul Olympics, US National Road Champion), Dan Casebeer (US Hour record). Mr Konno was paralyzed in a car crash and there will be no more 3Renshos."

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Japan/3Rensho.htm

Sad story:
The one and only 3rensho master builder, Yoshi Konno, was paralyzed in a car wreck, so whatever's out there is all there ever will be. And yes, they're f**cking awesome.

Oops! Beat me to the punch, onetwentyeight.

Thx 128. There are no more!? Then how come they are so plentiful? Are these things fetching huge prices?

plentiful...what?

slodo - they get high prices, yes. They're pretty rare, and most people, once they have one, dont want to let go of them. I know it would take me a lot to part with mine. there's a high demand. If you like 3renshos, check out Makino. Makino was Konno's assistant, and made his later frames (including mine), and now makes frames in his own name. They're very nice. Yamaguchi was also one of his assistants. you're probably seeing a disproportionate amount on this forum because we're a bunch of geeks who waste all our money on bikes.

Both Koichi Yamaguchi and Makino built for 3Rensho, and actually built a large portion of their frames. The closest thing to a modern-day 3Rensho would likely be a Makino...

OK so why are the Renshos so great? Good welds, metal, finishes, balance?

it's the elephant (see sasha's avatar.)

****ing a, my 3ren doesnt have an elephant. :(

i feel so gypped.

Yours is actually a 'Free Spirit' 128...

So, what makes 3Rensho great.

1> Incredibly high level of finish on lugs/welds.
2> Unique designs for fork crowns/ends/lugs.
3> Great riding bikes.

Yoshi Konno was quite an innovator.

i scanned an old 3r catalogue and it's posted on FGG now, which has some great info:
http://fixedgeargallery.com/articles..._Catalogue.pdf

and i think it's time to unleash the SuperRecordRenshoDork.

"free spirit"?

what you sell me some hippy track bike or something? or did it just use different tubing?

:P

http://www.huddletogether.com/galler...ke-profile.jpg

Repainted, obviously.

i thought you repainted a huffy :(

here comes the dork!
check these out on my flickr and use the "view all sizes" to get more detail... some have measurements and pricing and stuff!

http://static.flickr.com/76/172785724_abc75902b4_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/78/172785729_694b8d2b64_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/47/172785719_e95597b20c_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/55/172785717_850d5eeaaa_m.jpg

Whoops - Sashae, gotta get back on that project...

*prod prod* ;)

Been to SF lately? They're growing on trees up here. That ain't no lie. Expensive...yes. Rare...uh, no.

Yea but in SF, Nagasawas are kinda common, too.

I want one!!!!!

Just because they are plentiful in SF does not make them any less rare. If teh SF zoo has a ton on Bliss Rapid Snails that doesnt make them any less rare.

I just found out Erik Zo rides a red one too. bastards copping my style.

I think he owes me a bag for that.

BAH! Not rare not rare not rare not rare not rare. Let me get out my ****ing platinum American Express card and show you how NOT RARE those things are. I'll have 4 by the end of next week. Where's Strattond's number again??