Reynolds 309/289XC New, more stable XC wheelset

Product News/Components: The world of Cross Country is evolving. Wider tires, lower tire pressures and today's tracks regularly feature rock gardens and drops worthy of enduro racing. In the current XC market there are both hardtail machines and short travel fullies, whose riders are looking for components that can withstand an aggressive riding style while maintaining the lightness of an XC bike. It's the job of the component manufacturers to keep pushing what XC bikes and riders are capable of. Reynolds follows these requirements with a new wheelset: The brand new Reynolds 309/289XC.

The new Reynolds 309/289 XC family offers four expansion stages, including a limited version with the turquoise Super Bubba X hub set from sister company Ringlé. Each of these levels features new rim designs and spoke counts specific to the front and rear axles. With prices ranging from €1.299 to €2.099 there is bound to be an option for those looking to upgrade to a carbon wheelset with a lifetime warranty.

Reynolds XC wheels: The rim design

As the name of the wheels might already suggest, the new 309/289 XC wheelset has a 30 mm inner width at the front paired with a 28 mm inner width at the rear. A mixed width was chosen for various reasons. Wider rims allow for less pressure, more traction and more precise steering. However, wider rims can also result in a less forgiving and bumpier ride. To avoid the latter, the rim profile was reduced to 21 mm. Reducing the depth has improved overall flex and comfort while still providing all of the benefits listed above that come with a wider rim. With the bulk of the rider's weight and power being transferred to the rear wheel, a 28mm wide, 28-spoke rim has been engineered to provide an ideal balance of power, comfort and performance. On the front axle, the rim has been widened to 30mm for even more steering precision and sidewall stiffness where it matters most. To keep a similar feel to the rear, the spoke count had to be reduced to 24.

Reynolds XC wheels: Blacklabel

Reynolds Blacklabel wheels use the same IDM (Impact Dispersing Matrix) and MR5 rim construction technologies as Reynolds downhill wheels to offer tremendous impact resistance and durability in a new, lightweight XC package.

Two build options are offered at the Blacklabel level. The first option includes Reynolds/I9's own Blacklabel Hydra hubs. These hubs are fully CNC machined with a 52° detent for instant power delivery.

The second option is a limited edition model with the Ringlé Super Bubba X hub. These have been anodized in a turquoise homage to the original Super Bubba's of the past. This hub set is only available within the Blacklabel 309/289r wheelset and is available while stocks last. The Super Bubba X features a 4° pressure angle and ratchet ring design for maximum durability. Each of these wheelsets features Sapim CX-Ray spokes and alloy nipples to keep things light and strong on the track.

Reynolds XC wheels: TR and TRs:

In addition to the Blacklabel versions, a TR and TRs version of this wheel has been created for those who are more budget oriented. The TR and TRs versions both use the same 309/289 rim design and profile with the PR3 rim construction from the current TR and TRs wheel series offering unmatched ride quality and durability at a lower price point. The TRs lace up with Sapim CX Delta spokes and alloy nipples to the TRs MTN hub with 5° engagement through 6 phased pawls. The TR uses Sapim Sprint spokes, brass nipples and the TR MTN hub with 10° engagement by 4 pawls.