With so much talk about light weight paint jobs, companies like Reynolds are starting to look at paint, and decals, as places to lose weight. The problem with decals on carbon rims is that if you don’t want them to look cheap, or peel off, you need to apply a clear coat over the wet slide. While not a huge weight penalty, it still adds up especially with deeper dish wheels. If only there was a way to apply a permanent graphic and not have to add a clear coat over top…
By using an ink jet printer to directly apply the graphics to the rim, Reynolds is now able to apply their labels directly to the rim – no additional steps required. Since the process doesn’t require any extra paint or coverage the new graphic treatment will save 10-20g per wheels depending on the depth. Currently, ink jet labels will only be offered in 58, 72, and 90mm aero wheels only, though for 2014 the entire carbon road line up will transition to the new labels.
On the mountain side of things, of course Reynolds is offering a 650b wheel in the form of the AM 27.5 carbon along with a new XC 29er Carbon. The all mountain 27.5″ will run a 31mm external/23mm internal/24mm deep rim that is tubeless ready. The MR5 full carbon construction of the rim results in the strongest rim Reynolds has ever built. Continuing with a great trend, the wheels will include everything in the box for just about any axle configuration and tubeless compatibility, all for $1,990.
The 29r XC carbon on the right is billed as a sort of XC race/trail in between use wheel. Weighing in at 1,450g per set with a 350g rim, the 28 spoke rims measure 27mm external/19mm internal/22mm deep, and will be available for less than $2,000 with Fall availability.
Both wheels have straight pull spokes with a 6-pawl interchangeable freehub body, and a 6 bolt disc mounting configuration.
29er on the left, and 27.5 on the right, both set up with Reynolds’ tubeless rim tape.
