Reserve Announces New Wheelsets for XC Whippets
Do you like your lycra tight? Your heart rate high and your wheels light?
Well, Reserve has just dropped their latest and lightest wheelsets ever, the new 30|XC and 30|XC SL. Let’s look a little deeper into the fresh drop.
30|XC
Following on from the World Cup winning 28|XC wheelset, the new 30|XC are stated to be stiff and strong enough to weather the super gnarly tech littered around World Cup courses, without the extra grams, coming in at just 1515g.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your preferences) both options are only available as a 29” wheelset – no 32” hoops in the Reserve factory…for now.
Debuted with Cannondale Factory Racing team, the new wheelsets come in standard 30|XC and 30|XC SL options. They feature 30mm internal width, allowing for 2.35”–2.5” tyres, an increased spoke count to increase strength and durability and Degree of Freedom-equipped DT 350 hubs. The DT Swiss Degree of Freedom system offers a tangible increase in performance, without a weight penalty, by reducing pedal kickback and improving suspension performance.
30|XC SL
The top-tier offering is the 30|XC SL wheelset, the stiffest and lightest model at 1304g, featuring carbon spokes and 30g of weight savings per rim thanks to a special high-modulus carbon layup. While 30g isn’t much, every gram all matters in the battle for hundredths of a second in a tight XC battle.
The Vonoa carbon spokes are claimed to be 30% lighter than steel, offering stiffness and responsiveness in a lightweight package. The 30|XC SL also features DT Swiss 180s for further weight savings.
Our Take
There is no better feeling than fanging it on a fast, light wheelset up a climb. In my experience when the grams get lean, the wheels can become compromised (OK time for the truth: I have cracked a lot of XC wheels).
The 30|XC wheelset at ~1500g and 28 spokes looks to be an solid option for the everyday XC whippet, and at $2499 they’re competitively priced for some lightweight XC hoops. The 30|XC SL wheels are certainly lightweight, shaving a further 200g off the 30|XC hoops, but the carbon spokes and $4299 price tag may be out of reach for the everyday rider.
30|XC will be on shore in June, with 30|XC SL to follow later that month.
Reserve wheel specs
- Wheel sizes: 29″
- Rim: 30 mm internal width
- Hub specs: Boost spacing (350s feature Degree of Freedom)
- Spokes: 30|XC: Sapim D-Light with Secure Lock Nipples or 30|XC SL: Vonoa carbon spokes
- Disc mount: DT 350: 6-Bolt /DT 180: Centerlock
- Weights: 30|XC: DT 350 – 1515g, 30|XC SL: DT 180 with Carbon Spokes – 1304g
- RRP: 30|XC – $2499 AUD and 30|XC SL – $4299 AUD
More info on Reserve’s website.
