Santa Cruz has just expanded its carbon fibre mountain bike wheel range, with a brand new Reserve DH model.
Joining the existing Reserve Carbon range (which includes the Reserve 25, 27, 30 & 37), the Reserve DH also makes use of a carbon fibre rim with bulgy bits around the spoke nipples, except this one is substantially heavier and thicker-walled. Weighing in at a claimed 690g per rim and featuring huge 4mm thick hookless sidewalls, the Reserve DH is – as you’ve probably guessed – a super dooper strong carbon wheelset primarily intended for downhill riders and racers.
According to Santa Cruz, these wheels have been raced on all season by the Santa Cruz Syndicate team, which explains why these wheels will only be available in a 29in diameter. That’s right – no 27.5in size. Controversial!
They’re also only available aftermarket as a complete wheelset with Chris King ISO hubs – just like the wheels that Minnaar, Vergier and Shaw race with on the World Cup circuit.
Santa Cruz Reserve DH Wheels
- Brand new carbon fibre rim
- Designed for downhill riding & racing
- 29in diameter only
- Recommended tyre width: 2.4-2.6in
- Internal width: 31mm
- External width: 39mm
- Chris King ISO hubs, 20x110mm front & 157x12mm rear
- 32x DT Swiss Competition Race (2.0-1.6mm) J-bend spokes
- 3-cross spoke lacing
- Sapim 18mm Square Drive Secure Lock nipples
- Claimed weight: 2416g
- RRP: $2,499 USD
As with the rest of the Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon wheel range, the Reserve DH still comes with a lifetime warranty for the original owner. Pretty gutsy move by Santa Cruz given the hell that downhill wheels are typically subjected to.
Still wondering how strong a carbon mountain bike wheel can be? Have a wee watch of Danny MacAskill trying to break a set.
And that isn’t the only new release from Santa Cruz, with a brand new V-10 also being released into the wild as of today. Well, there are actually two V-10s, because Santa Cruz is offering its flagship carbon fibre downhill race bike in both 27.5in and 29in flavours. And according to Santa Cruz, it’s made two unique frames – unlike some other brands who often build the one frame that’ll work with both wheelsizes.
Santa Cruz V-10 Features
- All-new carbon fibre frame & swingarm
- Available in 29in and 27.5in specific versions
- VPP suspension design
- 215mm rear travel
- Designed for 203mm travel forks
- 63.3-63.7° head angle
- Size-specific chainstay length
- Adjustable dropouts
- Replaceable frame protectors
- Internal gear cable routing through swingarm
- Sizes: Small, Medium, Large (27.5in) & Medium, Large, X-Large (29in)
- Frame Only RRP: £3,599
- Complete Bike RRP: £5,999 – £7,999
The release of the new V-10 will hardly come a surprise to most downhill fans, as we’ve all been watching the Syndicate team shred the 2018 World Cup circuit aboard the new bike. It’s just now that it’s publicly available.
Rear suspension travel on the new V-10 shrinks a mm down to 215mm, but is still delivered by the classic VPP suspension system, which has been tickled slightly to deliver a lower leverage ratio than before. Coil shocks appear to be the recommended choice, specifically Fox’ DHX2 damper.
Adjustable Hi/Lo geometry remains via a compact flip-chip in the lower shock mount, and Santa Cruz has developed a very tidy mudguard for the upper seatstays to shield the rear shock from rear wheel spray.
Up front is a full-fat carbon headtube that’s angled out to 63.3° in the Low position, and 63.7° in the High position. Of note is that the head angle is exactly the same between the 29in and 27.5in frames. This goes against the trend of making the 29in version steeper, which many other manufacturers still do.
There’s more scope for geometry adjustment at the rear wheel, with a two-position chip for the rear axle. This offers ‘Short’ and ‘Long’ chainstay settings, with 10mm between each setting.
For more information on the new V-10 and the Reserve DH carbon wheels, head to the Santa Cruz Bicycles website.
