This week Reynolds Cycling launched a four model line of high-end mountain wheels dubbed Black Label. Including 27.5in All Mountain, 29in Trail, and 27.5 and 29in Cross-Country wheels, Black Label uses existing Reynolds carbon rims built up with DT Swiss hubs and spokes. Each set has a retail price of $2,400/£TBC.
Each type of Black Label wheel features a purpose-built rim. They're laced with DT Swiss Aerolight spokes to DT Swiss 240 centerlock hubs with 15mm and 142x12 axle compatibility. The tubeless-compatible wheels will come pre-taped with valve stems installed when they begin shipping this summer.
"The 27.5 All Mountain is probably our bestselling wheel right now," said Reynolds director of sales and marketing Rob Aguero, referring to the current AM wheel with Reynolds-branded hubs. "It is probably one of the widest on the market at 31mm external/23 internal."
In related news, Reynolds signed on as a sponsor of the Pivot Factory World Cup downhill team.
"We want to show that we can make dramatic changes in the mountain bike market," said Reynolds product manager and former pro downhiller Todd Tanner. "We are working on a new gravity product that will be completely new and forward thinking."
Meanwhile, the new Black Label wheels are 160-180g lighter than Reynolds' current mountain wheels, which retail for $1,800-$1,950 a set. Reynolds and one of its closest competitors, Enve, are both in Utah, and the Black Label line was created as an answer to Enve's high-end wheels.
Black Label speification details
27.5 XC - 1,435g claimed per set
The 27.5 XC carbon tubeless rims are 28mm tall, 29mm wide with a 21mm internal width. As with all the Black Label wheels, these have sublimated black-on-black graphics.
29 XC - 1,440g claimed per set
The 29 XC wheelset has rims that are 24mm tall and 26mm wide with a 18mm internal width.
27.5 AM - 1,528g claimed per set
The burly 27.5 All-Mountain wheels are 24mm tall and 31mm wide with a 23mm internal width.
29 TR - 1,500g claimed per set
The 29 Trail wheelset features rims that are 28mm tall and 29mm wide with a 21mm internal width.
