Reynolds Assault SLG wheelset

pedalbasher

Hi

Was close to getting myself a set of Zipp 202 FCs but dissuaded by a lot of negative press and opinions regarding the 188/88 hubs and the "catastrophic failures" so widely reported on here...

So have been looking at alternatives.

Any views on the Reynolds Assault SLG? Slightly deeper than the 202 (closer to 303 depth actually) but still weighs in at 1475g. Any weak points?

Love the looks, but can't find many real reviews.

Much obliged.

pedalbasher

In case it makes a difference, can pick up a set for c. £980 new (RRP £1300) which seems good value... but not if they're widely renowned to be duds.

ugo.santalucia

You have to ask Grill... he rides several Reynolds wheels and rates them a lot

Grill

I'm a fan of Reynolds wheels. The braking surface is pretty much the best in the biz and goes a long way to solving some of the issues with carbon clinchers. I haven't personally ridden the Assault SLG, but my RZR's were also 46mm with SLG and I never had issue in crosswinds. The new Assault are wider now so they should ride even better and are more aero (35% apparently) than the previous model. The hubs are branded as Reynolds (Taiwanese hubs), and I haven't had any issue with them on my Attacks. Even 3000 miles in they still roll just as smooth as the day I bought them.

pedalbasher

Thanks Grill, appreciated.

Always a subjective one of course, but your view is that for good-weather sportives, pacy weekend rides, trips to the mountains and a 24-hour endurance race they'd represent a significant and substantive upgrade over Ksyrium Elites (which I'd use as my training/everyday wheels)?

Grill

In short- yes. I use my Attacks as an everyday spring/summer wheel and my RZR's were my holiday/mountain wheels (sadly I've sold these for an 11 speed option). For 24 hour and all other TT's I use a trispoke and Reynolds Element disc. The Assaults are lighter, waaaaaay more aero, and in my experience just as robust as the Elites. Nice this is you can also rebuild the rims on different hubs which isn't an option with most factory wheelsets.

Really the only thing you may have trouble with is if you don't have proper braking technique on Alpine descents as even the CTg braking surface won't save you if you drag the rear brake down a few miles of fast descending.

pedalbasher

Great stuff, very helpful. Fairly bombproof? Potholes on Surrey roads is always a concern.

Any other suggestions at this price point? I.e. up to £1,500 absolute max, but ideally closer to £1k.

I'm 63kg so pretty light - should I be concerned about the depth of the Assaults? Never ridden deep rims before so a little naive here.

I've never really looked in to the hand built option - how would I go about that?

Grill

I've been through all sorts with all of my Reynolds (I charge through obstacles rather than go around them) and no problems yet. Even the Attacks are still true (I weight 70-80kg depending on time of year). If you're concerned about depth then the Attacks (32mm) are a solid choice, but you needed worry if the wind is under 20mph.

At that price point you could check out some of the Xentis wheels on Merlin. Really good rep and the construction and tech is solid. Also there's a guy on WeightWeenies selling Reynolds 32 and 46 clinchers for under 900 (DT 240s hubs).

For handbuilts Ugo or thecycleclinic can sort you out. Were it up to me I'd go with Tune Mig/Mag hub (the 170 doesn't have the issues of the 180) to save weight or DA9000 for longevity.

pedalbasher

Grill

I am about to pull the trigger. Any tyre + tube recommendations? I have good experience with Continental GP4000s and also Mavic Griplink/Prolink. Was planning to stick with 23mm although I read somewhere that Reynolds advise a 25mm due to the rim width. Do you think that's sensible?

Performance is priority but not at sacrifice of 3 punctures a ride. Will only be riding in good conditions and I'm pretty light, so wouldn't ordinarily look at 25mm.

V grateful for pros and cons.

Grill

I would run them with 25's as the rim is also 25mm. It will allow you to run lower pressures without giving up performance. I like the GP4000s as well as Michelin Pro4 SC. I've found the puncture resistance and longevity to be almost identical.

pearceygy

pedalbasher wrote:

In case it makes a difference, can pick up a set for c. £980 new (RRP £1300) which seems good value... but not if they're widely renowned to be duds.

Very interested in these wheels myself but yet to read any serious reviews, just out of interest where have you seen these at £980 ? Very tempting at that price.

Grill

Freeborn has them.
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/reynolds-assault-slg-wheelset?gclid=CI2mlNrWx7wCFZDKtAodi1AACg

pearceygy

Cheers Grill

pedalbasher

Thanks for all the advice Grill. I've emailed Reynolds directly to see whether they too recommend a 25mm tyre.

Ordered them a few hours ago - let the wait (for the postman and for a dry, sunny day...) commence.

pearceygy

Alright pedalbasher do you know what if anything comes with the wheels? pads, skewers, bags, etc,
Look forward to hearing how you get on with them, I've virtually made my mind up it's the assaults I'm getting but I would just like to see a good honest review before.

pedalbasher

Hi pearcey, I'm pretty sure skewers and pads are included but doubt a bag is. I'm speaking to Freeborn about my order so I'll ask them directly tomorrow (be aware - they have run out and are ordering more stock which suggests lots of others are snapping up the deal...)

Will post an honest and "real" review as soon as they've arrived and I've had chance to give them a spin.

Just ordered GP4000s tyres (25mm) and a handful of Conti light tyres with the 60mm valves.

Grill - I hope you don't work for Reynolds ;-)

pedalbasher

Ok, so, they've arrived!

Can't fault Freeborn's customer service (I was a bit sceptical at first as I hadn't heard of them before). I see they've now put the price up to £1,149.99 which makes me feel I got a great deal at £980. There was a slight delay as they were out of stock - again, probably because they received loads of orders at the cheaper price.

I'll give them a spin on Saturday morning on the dry roads. In the meantime, can confirm they come with 2 sets of the Reynolds blue CTg brake pads (i.e. 4 pads in total) and skewers. No bags though, so that's next on the shopping list.

Went with 25mm Conti GP4000s tyres.

Will post back with ride review at the weekend, but here's a preview pic of the wheels on board my Canyon:



Cheers again for the advice Grill.

pedalbasher

Also, any set-up comments / suggestions gratefully received!

pedalbasher

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weat ... 1393027200

Is 15mph wind (gusts up to high 20s) too windy for new 40mm aero fancy wheels on Sat? Never ridden them before, slightly anxious I'll be blown about like a rag doll in a hurricane.

ugo.santalucia

pedalbasher wrote:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/london-greater-london#?tab=fiveDay&fcTime=1393027200

Is 15mph wind (gusts up to high 20s) too windy for new 40mm aero fancy wheels on Sat? Never ridden them before, slightly anxious I'll be blown about like a rag doll in a hurricane.

The combined height of tyre and rim is not a lot more than you would have on a 29er mountain bike with fat tyres... so yes, you can ride them, as long as you keep an eye to these side gusts

Grill

Please take the dust caps off, they hurt my eyes.

pedalbasher

Ha, I was waiting for that. Might switch them for some black ones. I like dust caps, they're reassuring.

shamrock134

So are these the only worthwhile c4rb0nz cl1nch3r unless you can afford 303/404s or are willing to run tubs?

Grill

shamrock134 wrote:

So are these the only worthwhile c4rb0nz cl1nch3r unless you can afford 303/404s or are willing to run tubs?

No, there are others (although I would never run Zipp). Enve, Xentis and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40c are all a viable alternatives and even the Easton EC90 Aero 55 looks like a decent shout. There is also the rest of the Reynolds Aero line which is fantastic (but heavier). I think the Assault SLG easily takes the crown in the value for money segment.

shamrock134

Grill wrote:

shamrock134 wrote:

So are these the only worthwhile c4rb0nz cl1nch3r unless you can afford 303/404s or are willing to run tubs?

No, there are others (although I would never run Zipp). Enve, Xentis and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40c are all a viable alternatives and even the Easton EC90 Aero 55 looks like a decent shout. There is also the rest of the Reynolds Aero line which is fantastic (but heavier). I think the Assault SLG easily takes the crown in the value for money segment.

Yeah, I was talking in terms of price. Wheelsmith Race50 C23s are only £740 though.

Grill

shamrock134 wrote:

Grill wrote:

shamrock134 wrote:

So are these the only worthwhile c4rb0nz cl1nch3r unless you can afford 303/404s or are willing to run tubs?

No, there are others (although I would never run Zipp). Enve, Xentis and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40c are all a viable alternatives and even the Easton EC90 Aero 55 looks like a decent shout. There is also the rest of the Reynolds Aero line which is fantastic (but heavier). I think the Assault SLG easily takes the crown in the value for money segment.

Yeah, I was talking in terms of price. Wheelsmith Race50 C23s are only £740 though.

You get crash protection on the Reynolds as well as far superior braking and aero properties. If Reynolds sold only the rims I'd build them up.

pedalbasher

To be fair, whilst the Reynolds Assurance Programme (RAP) they offer might be "no questions asked", it's not free ($250 for the "Performance" range, I think - although I'm not sure whether this is per wheel or per wheelset).

My bike, wheels and accessories are fully insured via a separate specialist bike policy (with ETA) which covers me for accidental damage including crashes in training, racing, triathlons etc as well as the usual theft events. So I don't think I'm going to bother splashing out another [$250/500] to Reynolds.

Regardless of whether or not you go for the RAP programme, you can always take advantage of their crash replacement programme if disaster strikes - although this works out not much cheaper than buying new anyway I think.

foggymike

Shame about the price increase

ugo.santalucia

Grill wrote:

shamrock134 wrote:

Grill wrote:

shamrock134 wrote:

So are these the only worthwhile c4rb0nz cl1nch3r unless you can afford 303/404s or are willing to run tubs?

No, there are others (although I would never run Zipp). Enve, Xentis and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40c are all a viable alternatives and even the Easton EC90 Aero 55 looks like a decent shout. There is also the rest of the Reynolds Aero line which is fantastic (but heavier). I think the Assault SLG easily takes the crown in the value for money segment.

Yeah, I was talking in terms of price. Wheelsmith Race50 C23s are only £740 though.

You get crash protection on the Reynolds as well as far superior braking and aero properties. If Reynolds sold only the rims I'd build them up.

You can buy rims only from Wheelbuilder.com in al drillings all the way to a "stallion" 28 H build... not cheap at 600 USD per rim, but still cheaper than ENVE even including HMRC slice of the cake

Grill

That's £300 pounds for a new set of any non-RZR wheels (RRP for these is £1349). How is that not a bargain? Keep in mind that this is free so there's no out of pocket up front (unlike most of these types of programs) and at that price you don't need to claim on your insurance which will keep your premium down. I will happily buy every set of these that is offered to me at that price...

Grill

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Grill wrote:

shamrock134 wrote:

Grill wrote:

shamrock134 wrote:

So are these the only worthwhile c4rb0nz cl1nch3r unless you can afford 303/404s or are willing to run tubs?

No, there are others (although I would never run Zipp). Enve, Xentis and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40c are all a viable alternatives and even the Easton EC90 Aero 55 looks like a decent shout. There is also the rest of the Reynolds Aero line which is fantastic (but heavier). I think the Assault SLG easily takes the crown in the value for money segment.

Yeah, I was talking in terms of price. Wheelsmith Race50 C23s are only £740 though.

You get crash protection on the Reynolds as well as far superior braking and aero properties. If Reynolds sold only the rims I'd build them up.

You can buy rims only from Wheelbuilder.com in al drillings all the way to a "stallion" 28 H build... not cheap at 600 USD per rim, but still cheaper than ENVE even including HMRC slice of the cake

I'll be back in the US in a few weeks so I may pick up a few.