After the snow had all but melted away, we got a chance to check out the latest from Reynolds. While we’ve touched on most of the new products including the BlackLabel Mountain bike wheels, and new carbon and aluminum road disc options, Reynolds is always looking to make improvements no matter how small.
In the case of their BlackLabel Mountain bike wheels, the MR5 carbon rims are getting a bit of a cosmetic update. Originally to use Reynold’s Inkjet graphic technology, BlackLabel rims are moving to a more traditional die cut decal. The wheels will still maintain the stealth BlackLabel look, but the rim profile didn’t provide enough real estate for the Inkjet process.
BlackLabel wheels are in stock and now shipping with tubeless rim tape installed and XD freehubs are available as an aftermarket accessory. Since the wheels use DT Swiss 240 hubs, customers can order DT Swiss XD bodies from Reynolds, DT, or their local bike shop. Reynolds is also continuing their partnership with the Pivot DH team, promising a model year 16 downhill rim that won’t just be a 27.5″ AM rim with a different layup…
One of the biggest changes for the road bike side is the announcement that all road disc wheels will now be shipping with Centerlock hubs. The move comes as no surprise since Shimano continues to offer their FREEZA SM-RT99 rotors in Centerlock only. SRAM riders needn’t worry though as the company has announced their own Centerlock rotors for the recently updated hydraulic road systems.
Available this fall, the Aero 46 Carbon Disc brake wheelset will retail for $2,675. The carbon clinchers measure 46mm deep, 26.2mm wide with a 16mm internal width and a true brake track-less design. Aero 46 wheels feature another change to the road disc line with hubs convertible to both QR and thru axle standards with swappable end caps. Hubs will be available with Shimano or SRAM 9/10/11 and Campy 9/10/11 speed freehub bodies.
Thanks to the 46mm profile of the DET rims, Aero wheels receive the Inkjet graphic treatment which reduces weight. Reynolds claims the Aero 46 wheels come in at 1665g per pair.
