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Love'm - Hate'm Reynolds 29er Carbon Wheelset

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#41 ·
Hello guys, I have also problems with the freehub on my Reynolds 29er Carbon wheelset that came with Cannondale F29 Carbon 1 bike, do you know if I can replace the freehub with another from other manufacturer ? Or if isn't possible, can I replace the whole hub with something that is compatible with the Reynolds rear rim ?
Thank you
 
#42 ·
I don't think the freehub can be swapped between manufacturers. It uses a matching pawl / drive shell that probably means you're stuck with the existing hub / freehub combo. The issue with trying to change to a new hub is that the rims are 24h, and not many hubs out there use 24h (most are either 28, 32, and sometimes 36). Industry Nine is one of few manufacturers that build a 24h wheel, specifically for their Torch model (their "2:1" design), BUT they don't make these for Lefty front hubs. The I9 Lefty hubs are 32h only, so I9 isn't an option for rebuilding your rims. All of that said, Reynolds redesigned their hub for 2014 and have been offering to rebuild the 2013 wheelsets due to the overwhelming negative feedback from the current model. I got an email yesterday that both of my sets are in the mail on the way back to me - can't wait to see how the freehub design differs from last year (I sure hope it's different, in a good way!!) They also started using thicker gauge spokes which should eliminate the chronic loosening at the spoke/nipple interface. I'd recommend getting in touch with Reynolds. New hubs/spokes couldn't hurt...
 
#43 ·
Thanks for the reply, I already contacted Reynolds and they offered to send me a new freehub(hope they don't forget to do it..) . I didn't know about this 2013 recall, if I will have other problems with the wheels I'll ask them to change my hubs and spokes with the 2014 model.
Please share your impressions when you receive the wheels.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
#45 ·
Damn... I bought a 2012 Carbon 1 this year - the 2013 was also on the floor. The guys at the shop said, the '12 gets better component... the '13 gets carbon wheels - it's a toss up. These issues with the carbon wheels are making me a bit happier having to "slum it" with my DT Swiss wheelset... and no longer considering the upgrade.
 
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#46 ·
I bought a set of these Reynolds carbon wheels, the older version with black hubs and conventional pull spokes. They went out of true very quickly and I'm only 150lbs. I put this down to the thin spokes; on 29er wheels I think they are simply too flimsy. I wasn't convinced with the quality of the hubs either, so replaced them with Tune. I am now running the 24H rims with a Cannonball front hub and Kong rear hub. So far they've been great, but I did go with heavier gauge DT Swiss spokes. I have also been running a set of the new I9 32H trail wheels with the same rims. As other in this thread mention, it seems I9 have got things right.
 
#47 ·
mattwatkins said:
I bought a set of these Reynolds carbon wheels, the older version with black hubs and conventional pull spokes. They went out of true very quickly and I'm only 150lbs. I put this down to the thin spokes; on 29er wheels I think they are simply too flimsy.
Click to expand...
You misdiagnosed the problem. It was not the spoke gauge, but probably a poor build.
 
#48 ·
meltingfeather said:
You misdiagnosed the problem. It was not the spoke gauge, but probably a poor build.
Click to expand...
Agreed. As noted before I'm 240 lbs and have ridden and raced these wheels hard for over two years with no failures other than a bent derailleur hanger causing my chain to take out a couple of spokes. The hubs have held up also and I've destroyed Easton and Mavic hubs due to my weight and riding style.

Along with these I'm now on a set with the red hubs so we'll see how well these last.
 
#49 ·
Could be... The rims seem to be well designed and high quality. But the weight saving of lightweight spokes probably doesn't make much sense in the context of a 24H 29er wheel. I've heard Reynolds' argue that cutting fewer fibres by drilling fewer holes makes for a stronger wheels overall, but I'm not buying it. The number of other people with similar problems would suggest there is at least some consistent problem with these wheels. Maybe Reynolds can't build them to a consistently high standard. Or maybe the design makes them particularly sensitive to build conditions. If the former is true, then there's really no reason why they shouldn't have sorted the problem out already.
 
#50 · (Edited)
meltingfeather said:
You misdiagnosed the problem. It was not the spoke gauge, but probably a poor build.
Click to expand...
This!

A hamfisted builder who's winding up spokes can make a mess of a wheel, regardless of how high-quality, or appropriate to the build, the components are. Light gauge spokes are MUCH more prone to this, and if they're not treating the threads with some kind of locker that will just compound the problem.... you're just about guaranteed to see exactly what's described above.... spokes suddenly and completely detensioning, and the resulting flexy wheel feeling.

A good post-build fix to untreated spoke threads is loctite 220... it's a "medium stength" wicking loctite. You won't find this stuff at home depot, you'll have to order it from an industrial supply place like R.S. Hughes. Get the problem wheel properly trued and tentioned, and then put a SMALL drop of this stuff on the spoke/nipple and watch it wick right in there. FAIR WARNING: I repeat.... "properly trued and tensioned" and "small amount". This stuff will lock those nipples really tight, so if you over-apply, let it setup, and then realize that your spoke tension is still 30kg low, you're not going to have fun with light gauge spokes trying to tension after the fact.

But, done properly, this stuff will put an end to rapid detensioning once and for all, and it's great that you can use it post-build to correct somebody else's f'up.

It's a shame that Reynolds is dropping the ball on the fundamentals of wheel building when they've got such a blingy product otherwise.

Don't waste your time and money trying to use low strength wicking loctite 222...it's way too low stength and won't really help.

BTW... this is based on personal experience after following recommendations of wheel guru and former mentor Ric Hjertberg..... get yur learn on at
Wheel Fanatyk
 
#51 ·
So from what I'm reading...people are liking Reynolds rims but maybe not their whole build? I currently run Stan's Arch Ex rims with DT Swiss spokes, Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs. I like them. Pretty bullet proof for my riding style and weight 180's (on a good day) but I am interested in carbon rims and possibly a better engaging hub. Am I even really going to be able to save weight without compromising durability?!
 
#52 ·
You have got it about right.

The Reynolds are nice rims & much stiffer than my Arch EX Hope pro 2 Evo set up.

A very nice bang for the buck is a set of I9 Torch Trail 32 wheel set, Wider, cheaper, Same hubs & spokes & much stiffer than the Arch EX setup.

Same weight as the Reynolds carbon wheel setup.
Mayor69PRS said:
So from what I'm reading...people are liking Reynolds rims but maybe not their whole build? I currently run Stan's Arch Ex rims with DT Swiss spokes, Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs. I like them. Pretty bullet proof for my riding style and weight 180's (on a good day) but I am interested in carbon rims and possibly a better engaging hub. Am I even really going to be able to save weight without compromising durability?!
Click to expand...
 
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#53 ·
muzzanic said:
You have got it about right.

The Reynolds are nice rims & much stiffer than my Arch EX Hope pro 2 Evo set up.

A very nice bang for the buck is a set of I9 Torch Trail 32 wheel set, Wider, cheaper, Same hubs & spokes & much stiffer than the Arch EX setup.

Same weight as the Reynolds carbon wheel setup.
Click to expand...
But lighter than arch ex/hope?
 
#57 ·
Another data point. Set of 2011 (white graphics, J spokes) on Anthem under a 155lb xc rider. The wheels have been great. Everyday wheelset, still 99% true, no broken/loose spokes.

These are my first higher end wheels. Used Crests before and they were fine, but the carbon rims are very precise with pointing/pushing into a corner and feels solid.

Might be my last wheel set for a few years ...

Got them for a great price as well from Colorado cyclist when they had the sale when straight pull spoke hubs were released.
 
#58 ·
Muzz,

The Stans Arch EX with their hub weights 1775. The I9 Torch Trail w/32H weights 1630. The I9's with Reynolds Carbon wheels weight 1530. Which wheelset are you referring to that is the same weight as the Reynolds carbon? Is the 1630 vs 1775 weight that noticable? I have been banging my head over which wheelset to upgrade over my current Stans Arch EX and just not sure any of these options are worth the upgrade (price). I know you had the Reynolds carbon I9 wheelset. Why did you change to the Torch aluminum wheelset? Bling factor with the straight pull spokes ;)

muzzanic said:
You have got it about right.

The Reynolds are nice rims & much stiffer than my Arch EX Hope pro 2 Evo set up.

A very nice bang for the buck is a set of I9 Torch Trail 32 wheel set, Wider, cheaper, Same hubs & spokes & much stiffer than the Arch EX setup.

Same weight as the Reynolds carbon wheel setup.
Click to expand...
 
#59 ·
I still have & like my I9 Torch Trail carbon wheels, I like them lots & plan to keep them.

I like to keep many sets of wheels setup & ready to go, With different tyres depending on where I plan to ride.

What I'm saying that with the I9 torch Trail 32 Alloy wheels give up very little to the Carbon wheels that I have, So are a very good option.

I also have a couple of sets of Arch EX wheels with Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs & they are ok, But there is just something nice about riding a fast engaugemnent, stiff & responsive wheel set.

But in raw time down the trail, IMO people over rate the speed they think there are getting from light wheels.

I have always thought I get more speed by having the right tyres on for the trail I'm riding & having a wheel set that lets me push as hard as I want to push.

I had a set of Crest's that cost me time because I just didn't trust them enough to nail everything.

HouseNotes said:
Muzz,

The Stans Arch EX with their hub weights 1775. The I9 Torch Trail w/32H weights 1630. The I9's with Reynolds Carbon wheels weight 1530. Which wheelset are you referring to that is the same weight as the Reynolds carbon? Is the 1630 vs 1775 weight that noticable? I have been banging my head over which wheelset to upgrade over my current Stans Arch EX and just not sure any of these options are worth the upgrade (price). I know you had the Reynolds carbon I9 wheelset. Why did you change to the Torch aluminum wheelset? Bling factor with the straight pull spokes ;)
Click to expand...
 
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#60 ·
As always, thanks for the detailed response. You helped me make up my mind to buy a Jet 9 RDO (which BTW, has no cracks to date!) and with this type of response, will help me decide which wheelset to go with.

Thanks again.
 
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