mtb-timeline

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===== 3Rensho Bicycles =====


3Rensho
((3Rensho is pronounced "san rensho", meaning three victories, referring to the rare Keirin accomplishment of winning the qualifier, semi-final and final on three consecutive days of racing.))
was started by Yoshi Konno in 1975 in Abiko, Japan and had great success building professional Keirin racing frames.  By 1984 they were producing 1500 racing frames per year.   In 1980 3Rensho started building many of the early Specialized road bikes and possibly had a hand in creating the first 1981 [[special:start#s1981|Stumpjumper]].

<blockquote>
I designed the Sequoia, Allez, Expedition and Stumpjumper frames. Mike Sinyard and I spent 4 weeks in Japan setting up production.  Yes **//Yoshi Konno//** built some of the Allezs and Sequoias and they were beautiful frames.
<cite>
Tim Neenan, [[lighthouse:start|LightHouse Cycles]],
[[https://www.roadbikereview.com/threads/some-specialized-history.190991/|roadbikereview]]
</cite>
</blockquote>

His first mountain bikes appeared in 1983 and all show innovative, experimental design and detailed craftsmanship, such as steel shoulder straps, triple and quadruple triangles, early disc brake usage ((3Rensho may have been the first to create a suspended mountain bike with disc brakes fore and aft.  See: [[tech:disc|disc brake technology]].)) and custom tubing and lugs.
\\

3Rensho catalogs show only racing frames as that was their focus.  This fact, plus that most 3Rensho mountain bikes were sold as bare frames and the habit of people to rebuild their bikes have caused the dating of these frames to be mostly guess work.  When available, the originally cited dates will be trusted.  There are no model names for any of the 3Rensho mountain bikes.
\\

Sources:
[[https://theradavist.com/2009/12/yoshi-konno-article/|theradavist]],
[[http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Japan/3Rensho.htm|classicrendezvous]],
[[https://loosebearings.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/builder-profile-3rensho/|loosebearings]],
[[http://www.yellowjersey.org/konno.html|yellowjersey]].

== Frame Detail Gallery ==

Some frame details from road and mountain 3Rensho bikes.

{{frame1.jpg?90|frame detail}}
{{frame2.jpg?110|frame detail}}
{{frame3.jpg?85|frame detail}}
{{frame4.jpg?90|frame detail}}
{{frame5.jpg?90|frame detail}}
{{frame6.jpg?90|frame detail}}
{{frame7.jpg?100|frame detail}}

  * [[http://vintage3rensholove.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-02-20T07%3A28%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=7|vintage3rensholove]]
  * [[http://vintage3rensholove.blogspot.com/2010/01/cyclone-track-frame-part-2.html|vintage3rensholove]]
  * [[http://vintage3rensholove.blogspot.com/2010/01/cyclone-track-frame-part-2.html|vintage3rensholove]]
  * [[http://vintage3rensholove.blogspot.com/2010/01/3rensho-of-day_28.html|vintage3rensholove]]
  * [[http://vintage3rensholove.blogspot.com/2015/04/large-gold-3rensho.html|vintage3rensholove]]
  * [[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/a-3rensho-with-a-story.237034/|retrobike]]
  * [[https://ameblo.jp/bicyclu527/entry-12458677162.html|ameblo]]

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{{yoshi.jpg?360|Yoshi Konno}}
\\
Yoshi Konno, Dec 1984 //Winning// magazine
[[https://theradavist.com/2009/12/yoshi-konno-article/|theradavist]]

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<div column 50% #s1983>
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===== 1983 ====


Weird shoulder strap (see [[lotus:start#steel|Lotus steel shoulder strap]]).  This frame was shown at the 1983 Anaheim trade show.  Mix of fillet brazing and lugs.

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{{1983.jpg?300|1983 }}
\\
1983 [[https://www.mtbr.com/threads/early-3rensho-mountain-bike.466123/#post-5053006|mtbr]]

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<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 Prototype ====

This prototype doesn't appear on the timeline as it was not offered for sale.  It's historically influential and should be documented.
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Prototype front suspension with dual Shimano disc brakes.
[[https://mmbhof.org/denise-caramagno/|Denise Caramagno]] posing with 3Rensho's Masahiko Makino, while on a scouting mission in Japan with Charlie Kelly, [[ritchey:start|Tom Ritchey]] and Dale Stetina.


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{{proto.jpg?300|1984 Prototype}}
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1984 Prototype [[https://www.mtbr.com/threads/1984-3rensho.287398/#lg=thread-287398&slide=0|mtbr]]

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<div column 50% #s1985>
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===== 1985 ====
The date is a guess based upon the frame & stickers.  But if the components and splayed drop bars are original, then 1988 would be more correct.
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{{1985.jpg?300|1985 }}
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1985 [[https://www.mtbr.com/threads/any-vintage-drop-bar-mtbs-out-there.85975/page-3#post-1975493|mtbr]]



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<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 =====

Four triangles!  Rebuilt, non-original yet period correct 1987 Shimano Deore XT.

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{{1987.jpg?300|1987 }}
\\
1987
[[https://web.archive.org/web/20150301212511/http://velocult.com/bikes/3rensho-mtb|velocult]]


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<div column 50% #s1989>
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===== 1989 =====

Elevated chainstay.  Originally spec'd with Shimano Deore Mountain LX (1989).

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{{1989.jpg?300|1989 }}
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1989
[[https://www.mtbr.com/threads/lets-see-your-3renshos.771770/#post-9059720|mtbr]]

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<div column 50% #s1990>
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===== 1990 =====


This is a Sakae Litage frame with 3Rensho stickers, sold by 3Rensho in 1990.  Internal cabling, composite, bonded Al frame.  Updated Deore LX from 2010's.  Other examples come with Deore XT MT-735 (1989-91).  Not really a 3Rensho - but it's a nice & interesting frame which is also seen on the 1991 [[bh:start#s1991|BH Supra Litage Sakae]].

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{{1990.jpg?300|1990 }}
\\
1990
[[https://www.sports-eirin-marutamachi.com/blog/132138.html]]

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<div column 50% #s1991>
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===== 1991 =====

Elevated chainstay.  Deore DX (1990-93)


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{{1991.jpg?300|1991 }}
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1991
[[https://www.dejapan.com/sp/top/mall/asp/detail.asp?code=b526764829&mall_name=Auction&s_keyword=&s_display_item=&pageCnt=0&s_category_id=26250&s_sort=|dejapan]]

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