Trail bikes with 120-140 mm travel are becoming more and more versatile - and the demands on the wheels are also increasing. They need to be light enough for long climbs and fast stage races, yet robust enough for rough terrain and hard riding. With the new Era SL, Race Face is launching a completely newly developed carbon wheelset for precisely this balancing act. The promise: Lighter than Enduro, more stable than XC - and ready for the really big adventure.
The complete wheelset weighs just 1530 g in the version for 6-hole brake discs - according to Race Face, this makes the Era SL the brand's lightest carbon rims to date. At the same time, they are said to offer 8.6 % more lateral compliance (lateral flex) than the Enduro models and thus noticeably reduce fatigue - without sacrificing propulsion. An interesting combination for demanding stage races such as the BC Bike Race or long tours in the Alps.
Facts: Race Face Era SL (29")
- Rim weight: 385 g
- Wheelset: 1530 g (version for 6-hole brake discs, without tape/valves)
- Inside width: 29 mm
- Tyre width: up to 2.6"
- Field of application: Trail bikes up to 140 mm (category 4)
- Not approved for eMTBs
- Max. system weight: 130 kg
- Number of spokes: 28 v/h
- Hubs: Vault with 3° engagement angle, 60T/6-pawl system
- Axle compatibility: Boost (15x110/12x148 mm), also available as SuperBoost (12x157 mm)
- Freewheel options: Microspline, XD, HG
- Price: 1748 Euro RRP (wheelset)
One wheelset for everything? Race Face Era SL in detail
When short-travel bikes become genuine all-rounders, classic Impellers for XC or enduro mountain bikes quickly reach their limits - either in terms of weight or durability. Race Face wants to close this gap with the new Era SL. The carbon wheelset is designed to combine the best of both worlds: Efficiency, comfort and weight with the necessary stability for rough trails, alpine multi-day tours.
With a rim weight of 385 grams and a complete wheelset weight of 1530 grams (version for 6-hole brake discs), the Era SL is one of the lightest carbon trail wheels on the market - and is even lighter than many classic XC rims, Race Face promises. Nevertheless, the rim is designed for trail bikes with up to 140 mm suspension travel (category 4), but is not approved for e-MTBs.
More comfort, less fatigue - 8.6 % more compliance
In addition to the weight of 1530 g (version for 6-hole brake discs, without tape/valves), the vertical and lateral flexibility of the rim is also important. This is because fatigue is often a decisive factor, especially on long stages (BC Bike Race sends its regards) or rough trails. According to the manufacturer, the Era-SL rim offers 8.6 % more lateral compliance than the brand's Enduro counterpart - and thus reduces vibrations and muscular strain without losing propulsion. This is a real advantage, especially with short suspension travel and an aggressive riding style.
Vault hubs with 3° engagement angle
Race Face relies on proven technology for the hubset: the Vault hub with a 3° engagement angle, 60-tooth freehub body and 6 pawls ensures crisp responsiveness. Oversized bearings for better durability and tool-free service access are also used. The number of spokes is 28 at the front and rear - a compromise between stiffness, weight and durability.
The wheelset is only available in 29 inch and offers an inner width of 29 mm, which is ideal for tyre widths up to 2.6" - perfect for modern trail and downcountry setups.
Technical data at a glance
| Feature | data |
| Rim weight | 385 g (29") |
| Wheelset weight | Version for 6-hole brake disc |
| Rim depth | 22 mm |
| Inside width | 29 mm |
| Max. tyre width Tyre width | up to 2.6" |
| Field of application | Trail, up to 140 mm travel (category 4) |
| Not eMTB-approved | ✓ |
| System weight | max. 130 kg |
| Number of spokes | 28 v/h |
| Hub | Race Face Vault, 3° engagement, 60T, 6 pawls |
| Axis compatibility | 15x110 (front), 12x148 & 12x157 (rear, 6B only) |
| Freewheel body | Microspline, XD, HG |
| Wheel size | only 29" |
| Price | 1748 Euro (RRP) |
Price and guarantee
With a price of 1748 euros, the wheelset is in the upper mid-range for high-quality carbon models. In return, Race Face also offers the full package in terms of Lifetime Warranty - a lifetime guarantee including crash replacement. This means that even in the event of riding faults or impacts that go beyond the normal warranty, Race Face is there to help.
Conclusion: Carbon LRS for all those who take trail bikes harder
With the Era SL, Race Face offers a well thought-out wheelset for anyone who regularly pushes their trail bike to its limits but doesn't want to compromise on efficiency and comfort. Its low weight, high level of comfort and robust construction make it the ideal companion for multi-day alpine tours, demanding stage races and the rough and tumble of everyday life on local trails. Anyone who feels too cumbersome with Enduro wheels and too fragile with XC wheels could find the perfect sweet spot in the Era SL. - Max Fuchs, editor and photographer at BIKE
Max Fuchs
Editor
