A Reynolds R32 full carbon clincher wheelset has recently arrived at RCUK Towers.
A regular selection for the Ag2r-La Mondiale WorldTour team being led by Nicholas Roche at the Tour, these hoops boast, as the name suggests, a 32mm rim profile, making them something of an all-rounder.
Containing a smattering of Reynolds’ new technologies, the unidirectional carbon rims are laced with DT Aerolite spokes: twenty at the front, and twenty-four at the rear. The Swiss theme continues with the inclusion of reliable and competent DT 240S hubs.
The rim profile is shaped to form Reynolds’ patented Swirl Lip Generator, which is claimed to offer improved stability in crosswinds and straight line aero tests. The spoke nipples are hidden inside the rim, which are, in our opinion, an aesthetic bonus, and may aid aerodynamics.
Tubular and clincher versions are available. The clincher set we’ll be testing has a claimed weight of 1351 grams, some 260 grams heavier than their tubular incarnation.
Brake temperature is a critical issue for full carbon wheels i.e. those with a carbon, rather than alloy brake track. Reynolds claim to have addressed this by using a special lay-up process which treats nipple bed, tyre channel, spoke face, rim hook bead, side wall and brake track as separate entities. The claimed aggregate is a rim that produces lower temperatures under braking, when used with Reynolds’ proprietary Cryo-Blue brake pads, which we’ll be using for our test.
Reynolds’ UK importer, Upgrade Bikes, is offering a free Reynolds Assurance Programme worth $250 for every wheelset sold (excluding RZR’s) until September 30, but at a penny under £2,000, these wheels are a serious investment for any rider.
Check back soon for a full review.
