The Santa Cruz branding is gone, as Reserve reveals its latest rim design.
For those XC and trail riders who want the best mountain bike wheelset that is lightweight yet tough enough to survive multiple terrain strikes, when rolling low tire pressures, this new 28 XC is ideal.
Santa Cruz’s wheel brand is angling for greater independence, with a new rim profile and design. On the Reserve 28 XC you’ll notice rectangular ridges where the spokes contact the rim and an absence of Santa Cruz stickers.
Designers and composite specialists working on the new Reserve 28 XC have retained the asymmetrical spoke profile and managed to make the new rim incredibly light.
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At only 385g, this 28mm internal diameter rim is lighter than the 25mm wide Reserve. It also features a shallower profile, delivering slightly better vertical compliance – according to Reserve’s designers.
Strong and light, with adequate width to seat the latest generation of trail-wide XC tires, the Reserve 28 XC could certainly be classified as a suitable product for those looking for down-country durability.
The product range spins a selection of three DT Swiss hub options. At $1,559 you get the Reserve 28 XC wheelset built with DT 350 hubs, weighing 1,550g.
As a mid-range offering, with possibly the best value, there is a Reserve 28 XC option rolling on DT 240s, for $1,899, at 1,450g.
If you wish to go premium with your down-country build, Reserve is offering a DT 180 hub option for its 28 XC wheelset, retailing for $2.199. This version weighs only 1,367g.
Best of all, these lightweight Reserve wheel builds have no maximum rider weight rating yet are still backed up by Reserve's lifetime warranty. Not bad for 24-spoke XC wheels.
