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This Just In: Reynolds 27.5 Plus carbon mountain bike wheels

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Plus bikes offer a lot of benefits from the enlarged tires, but they also come with a lot of mass. It’s pretty simple – bigger rims and bigger tires are going to add more weight. With tire manufacturers figuring out the line between durability and weight, the other place for plus bike owners to look for weight savings is in the wheels themselves.

Options like the Reynolds 27.5 Plus carbon wheels promise lighter weight of course, but they also include a high end build that is worthy of an upgrade by itself…

Essentially a super sized version of their Black Label mountain bike wheels, the 27.5 Plus uses the same MR5 (Mountain Rim 5) carbon technology. Combined with a hookless bead profile, the rims are designed to have high impact resistance while aiding in tubeless set up. Measuring 40mm internally and 45mm externally, the rims have a 24mm deep profile.

In the center of each wheel you’ll find a Reynolds branded hub with a small Industry Nine logo on it as well. Custom made for Reynolds, these i9 hubs load 28 spokes in a straight pull configuration, but with Pillar bladed steel spokes instead of i9’s aluminum spokes (current production wheels use Sapim CX-Ray spokes). Along with the Industry Nine name comes their legendary 120 point, 6 pawl free hub design which provides three degrees of engagement. These wheels can be ordered with either the XD or Shimano free hub body, but they use the standard i9 free hub body for easy swaps.

Given that they are plus wheels, the wheels are sold with Boost spacing – 110 x 15 front, and 148 x 12mm rear. The hubs use a Centerlock rotor mount, but also ship with 6 bolt adapters in the box. Wheels also come pre-taped and include tubeless valve stems for $2,600.

Weighed with tape but no valves, the wheels come in at 850g for the front and 980g for the rear, combining to make 1,830g total. The claimed weight is 1,795g without rim tape, so not too far off.

Installing a pair of Terrene Chunk Light tires on the rims went as well as you could expect, with the tires having a tight fit that made for instant seating, but not so tight that it was a struggle to get them on the rim. A quick pop with a pump, and they were ready to go.

We’ll check back in when they have some more miles, but so far, so good.

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Ben
Ben
7 years ago

Curious how these will compare to the offerings from ENVE. They’re about the same price, close to the same dimensions, but much (from quoted information) heavier…

Ben
Ben
7 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

True, but the M60Forty Plus built up with 240s is in the low/mid 1600 range, right?

Dave
Dave
7 years ago

Love the ride of these wheels. They are stiff but not so much so that they have a harsh ride and I don’t find myself bouncing all over the place. I like that they have a little compliance. As far as the I9 hubs the engagement is amazing. 3rd pair of wheels I have with I9 hubs. Plus I have the Reynolds RAP program is even if I destroy the wheels I would get them replaced for free. Have to love that.

stefanroussev
stefanroussev
7 years ago

Maybe comparing apples with oranges but for $1100 less you can get Roval Traverse 38 SL Fattie 650b 148 and close to 150 grams lighter carbon hoops from Specialized. What gives …

Ben
Ben
7 years ago
Reply to  stefanroussev

That’s also a good option. I’ve been running their 29″ carbon (30mm internal width) wheel set for over a year now, and have had zero issues with them. They use DT Swiss guts on the rear hub, and come with the 54tooth star ratchet.

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