A new wheel for 2009, the Strike delivers the remarkable value of Reynolds’ already established 50mm Assault wheel in a deeper 66mm.
It uses the same all-carbon construction with a scrim braking layer reinforcing the constructional fibre. The hubs are basically the same too, with cartridge bearings hidden under the metal covers.
At 1,732g (778g front, 954g rear) the wheels are heavy for full-carbon clinchers, but significantly lighter than most similar-priced alloy rimmed sets.
That translates as steady under acceleration, but not strength-sapping on climbs. They’re faster in a straight line than shallower rims too, with a useful flywheel effect on flat and rolling roads.
The flat-sided Strikes are noticeably more stubborn turning into corners than toroidal (swollen) section rims, though. They also twitch more in crosswinds, so keep your shallower rims for blustery conditions.
Sticking with round spokes sacrifices some aerodynamics, although deeper, stiffer rims mean that the spoke count is down to 16 DT Revolution at the front, 20 mixed Revolution and Competition at the rear.
What we really like about these wheels is their practicality. Braking is as consistent as carbon ever is and carbon-specific brake blocks are included. Conventional bend spokes mean easy replacement and a T-wrench for the hidden spoke nipples is supplied too.
That said, we’ve had absolutely zero hub or rim trouble from any Reynolds sets we’ve used over a long period of time and this track record of reliability boosts their already high value rating even further, as far as we’re concerned.
