Anyone tried them? The warranty seems hard to beat, the only problem might be that I can't find them for sale rim-only right now.
Alternatives would be DT EX511 / XM481 or Newmen A.30 (which I also can't find in stock), but I really like the look of that Reserve warranty.
Surely the rim only won't have a lifetime warranty? The whole model relies on _most_ of the wheel being pretty reliable. An alloy rim will die if used enough, so you'd need to charge hundreds of pounds for a rim.
I've just been reading about them on the website and the warranty seems a little brave on their behalf!
It says you can buy rim only and have the same warranty and crash replacement scheme.
Definitely worth consideration when I need wheels because I have no intention of switching to carbon. To be honest though, DT Swiss leave absolutely nothing to complain about.
DT with a good insert will have excellent longevity, if you're not a rim smasher anyway?
I emailed Stif and got this reply, I can definitely understand why they're popular!
It is anticipated that alloy rims will be available in the UK but, at the moment, stock is pretty thin on the ground. Full wheels are still selling out every time a batch is produced hence, no rims.
Keep an eye on out website, when stock is available we will make them available online. Unfortunately it might not be for a while though.
DT with a good insert will have excellent longevity, if you’re not a rim smasher anyway?
Yep, I'm sure they'll be fine. It's just that why not get the one with the amazing warranty if you can (which it seems like I can't right now 😂).
I've got the wheelset. It's good, not amazing weights but the warranty is pretty exceptional.
DT XM481's are superb.
DT XM481’s are superb.
This is true.
XM481 is fantastic.
EX511 is even better if you ride somewhere rocky.
If going DT, my choice would be a custom build with XM front EX rear.
Reserve look almost too good to be true but still more expensive. It's a gamble as my DT wheelset was cheaper, readily available and didn't need touching in 4 years of abuse. 2nd set still going strong on the new bike too. Wheel wreckers may get better value for money from the Reserve.
Whats the cost of just the Reserve alloy rim? I can only find cost of a full wheelset (but out of stock) or carbon rim.
The cool kids (and me) are running an EX471 on the rear again now though.
Whats the cost of just the Reserve alloy rim?
The Pinkbike article said $150 so once you add UK VAT etc you'll be looking at £150ish.
The warranty does indeed look very brave until you realise that most normal dents will come under crash replacement and will therefore be chargeable,
On the Alloy models the exact policy is:
For aluminum wheels and rims, the lifetime warranty is for the original owner. We ship out complete wheels as a first option, with rims and a service credit provided as a second options. Crash replacements for either a rim or wheel is at a reduced cost from retail pricing.
Dented rim, no paint chipping, holding air: crash replacement
Dented rim, paint chipping, holding or not holding air: warranty
Dented rim, not holding air: warranty
Seam separation: warranty
Crack at spoke hole: warranty
https://reservewheels.com/pages/rider-support
They also reworded their carbon warranty while back and now charge for crash replacement on them as well.
You know, the downside of this warranty is that when you need it, your replacement will probably be out of stock for months at a time. Unless they have a plan to stabilise the stock levels.
Hmm so it’s better to go all out and properly smash the rim rather be a bit gingerly and just get small ding?
DT Swiss xm481 is about £100 so these are significantly more. I guess for a serial rim destroyer the maths will work out after few rims. But for someone with lighter wear on their rims it’s probably better to self insure.
DT Swiss xm481 is about £100 so these are significantly more.
that’s to cover the cost of the warranty they are offering. It has to be priced in somewhere