Mountain bike wheels just keep getting better, and Reynold’s newest wheels are no exception. Built around a new low-profile carbon rim with a 32mm internal width, the wheels come in three different varieties to fit a range of budgets.
New Rim Profile
Measuring 38mm externally and 32mm internally, the new rim has just a 19mm depth. That’s the basis of the wheel name, with 327 meaning 32mm internal, 27.5″ wheel size, and 329 for 32mm inner and 29″ wheel size.
This wider inner width is said to improve compliance while the rim shape also aids in power transfer and claims to increase cornering speed. How much that translates to the average user remains to be seen, but it follows the trend of wider, shallower carbon rims with hookless rim profiles. I’ve loved the past Blacklabel wheels that I’ve ridden though, so if these are more compliant they should be a win.
Reynolds also points out that the Blacklabel rims use their Impact Dispersing Matrix (IDM) technology and MR5 layup process which was created to make stronger, more durable wheels. Enough so that these wheels carry a lifetime warranty for the original owner.
The Trail wheels do not get the Blacklabel treatment, though they do get a CR3 TSS carbon rim with the same dimensions as the other rims.
Rims come pre-taped for tubeless tire installations and include tubeless valves–though you have to install the valves yourself. It’s interesting that while Reynolds calls these hookless, there is the slightest little lip on the edge of the rim. It’s definitely smaller than a traditional hooked rim, but the rim wall isn’t as perfectly smooth as some.
All of the wheels include 28 spoke front and rear for the builds, but the hub will vary depending on the choice of wheel. The Trail Pro includes Reynold’s straight pull hubs made by Industry Nine with Hydra freehubs for a lightning-fast 0.52º engagement. The Trail Experts move down to another great hub option with the Sun Ringle Super Bubba X, followed by the Trail wheels which use a durable Sun Ringle SRX hub.
The top two models also use Sapim CX-Ray spokes with alloy nipples, while the Trail wheelset uses Sapim Sprint spokes with brass nipples.
Wheelset Models
Blacklabel 327/329 Trail Pro
•Rim Width: 32mm
•Rim Depth: 19mm
•Diameter: 27.5″ or 29″
•Spokes: F28 | R28
•Spoke Pattern: Front 3x | Rear 3x
•Weight: 1504g/1574g
•Technology: MR5 IDM TSS
•Hub: Front i9 Hydra | Rear i9 Hydra
•Brake Interface: Centerlock
•Spoke Type: Sapim CX-Ray
•Nipple: External Alloy
•Engagement: .52°
•Pawl: 6
•Decal: Black water slide
Blacklabel 327/329 Trail Expert
•Rim Width: 32mm
•Rim Depth: 19mm
•Diameter: 27.5 or 29″
•Spokes: F28 | R28
•Spoke Pattern: Front 3x | Rear 3x
•Weight: 1535g/1605g
•Technology: MR5 IDM TSS
•Hub: Ringle Super Bubba X
•Brake Interface: Centerlock
•Spoke Type: Sapim CX-Ray
•Nipple: External Alloy
•Engagement: 4°
•Pawl: 6
•Decal: Black water slide
TR 327/329 Trail wheels
•Rim Width: 32mm
•Rim Depth: 19mm
•Diameter: 27.5 or 29″
•Spokes: F28 | R28
•Spoke Pattern: Front 3x | Rear 3x
•Weight: 1718g/1776g
•Technology: CR3 TSS
•Hub: Reynolds/Ringle SRX MTN
•Brake Interface: Centerlock
•Spoke Type: Sapim Sprint
•Nipple: External Brass
•Engagement: 12°
•Pawl: 3
Blacklabel 329 Trail Pro Actual Weights
These just showed up and it’s been too wet to get them out on the trails, but we do have some actual weights for you. Keep in mind that these are pre-taped with tubeless valves installed, but the weights of the 29″ Boost Blacklabel Trail Pro wheels work out to 718g for the front and 881g for the rear. At 1599g for the set, that’s just 25g more than claimed which likely doesn’t include tape or valves.
We can’t wait for some dry weather to get these out on the trails! Depending on the model, wheels are available now.
