Reynolds AR 41 DB Wheels
£1100 All-round mid-depth carbon hoops
Wheels have long been the go-to component for upgrading your bike’s performance. Once, this meant going lighter by reducing spoke count and keeping rims and tyres narrow – now it’s all about carbon, better aerodynamics and disc brakes. Though at a reasonable 1630g per pair, Reynolds AR 41 DBs may also be lighter than your bike’s stock wheels.
The carbon rims are pretty deep, wide and tubeless ready, but we ran them with tubes and tyres, and the 33mm Challenge Strada Biancas expanded to 35mm when inflated.
Today’s wheels are miles away from their skinny metal-rimmed predecessors and from the first generation of deep-section carbon aero rims. If you get caught by a strong gust from the side there’s no worrying wobble and sweat-inducing loss of control; with disc brakes there’s no need to worry about so-so braking from the rubber brake block and carbon rim combo.
The 41mm deep rims have an internal width of 21mm (compared with the old 15mm standard) and are 30mm at their widest point. Their bulbous shape resembles that of Zipp and ENVE and will add 2-3mm to a tyre’s nominal width.
The build quality appears excellent with the Reynolds-designed hubs paired with 24 straightpull Sapim Sprint spokes in a two-cross pattern and external brass nipples. Unlike lighter aluminium nipples these won’t corrode and they’ll also be easy for the DIY fettler. The freehub has a 10-degree engagement and both wheels come with 12mm thru-axles, with a 15mm front thru-adaptor and quick-release options available. The result may not be ultralight but the AR41DBs’ aerodynamics makes them not only quick but good at maintaining their speed, ideal for the long-distance rouleur or sportive rider. They climb decently and survived every bit of tarmac, grit and gravel we threw at them during testing.
While they won’t be quite as fast as aero wheels with deeper rims, their balance of speed, control, wide-tyred comfort and toughness for coping with very poor road surfaces and light gravel is an appealing one. They come with a lifetime warranty and support from the UK distributor, Upgrade, too.