Reynolds has been busy with carbon wheels for many years. For 2021, the US manufacturer from near Salt Lake City is expanding its range with new carbon wheels for the XC and trail sector. Similar to, for example, the Crankbrothers (here in the BIKE short test) the four new wheelsets from Reynolds have a specifically adapted rim design at the front and rear with an optimised number of spokes.
Wider and softer at the front, narrower and more stable at the back
The secret is in the name: the rim width of the new 309/289-XC wheelsets has an inner width of 30 millimetres at the front and 28 at the rear. The different widths should have a positive effect on handling. The approach: the wider rim on the front wheel can be ridden with less air pressure and has more traction and greater steering precision.
In order to optimise the riding comfort and damping properties of the carbon wheels, the number of spokes at the front has been reduced to 24 and a 21 millimetre flat rim profile has been selected. The 28-millimetre rear wheel rim holds the hub in place with 28 spokes, which should guarantee more rigidity and stability.
Blacklabel
For the elegant Blacklabel range, Reynolds has adopted its proven carbon technology (Impact Dispersing Matrix) from downhill sports and the asymmetric MR5 rim design. This is intended to keep the weight low and the rims durable at the same time. Sapim CX-Ray spokes and light alloy nipples round off the wheel package.
You can choose between the BL-309/289-XC version with CNC-milled hub shells, in which the ultra-fine toothed Hydra freehub from Industry Nine (i9) purrs. According to the manufacturer, the total weight is just 1435 grams and the price is 2099 euros.
A little heavier, but more colourful: The limited BL-309/289-R edition has a Sun Ringlé Super Bubba X hub, which is anodised in turquoise as a tribute to the original Super Bubbas of the past. The limited edition is available at a price of 1849 euros.
TR and TR S
With the TR series, Reynolds also offers a more affordable version. You have to do without the carbon rims of the Blacklabel series, and the hubs are also less finely toothed. But the principle of the wider, more flexing front wheel paired with the stiffer rear wheel remains.
The TR-309/289 set, the cheapest at 1299 euros, uses Sapim Sprint spokes, brass spoke nipples and a new hub designed in collaboration with Sun Ringlé with three pawls and a 12° ratchet angle. At 1665 grams, it also weighs the most. The slightly lighter TR-S version reduces its weight to 1555 grams with Sapim CX Delta spokes, aluminium spoke nipples and an equally newly designed 6-pawl freehub. Cost point: 1549 euros.
