Reynolds

Forty Six T Tubular Wheelset

If you're like us, you see rim depths in terms of functionality -- under 32mm is reserved for climbing, over 60mm is best left for time trials, and 46mm is the absolute sweet spot. We find this cross-section of the wheel market to be its most competitive, but not surprisingly, Reynolds has risen to the occasion. With its Forty Six T Tubular Wheelset, you'll find an industry leader in regard to weight, rigidity, and responsiveness.

In fact, in terms of weight, the Forty Six tips the scales around a mere 1200 grams. And when compared to comparable tubular rim depths, the Forty Six comes in lower than both the Zipp Firecrest 303 and Enve SES 3.4s. How was it done? With Reynolds' CR6 Hybrid Carbon, of course. This is the same carbon fiber found in the Aero line of wheels. It's used in both lines because it allows a high level of torsional and lateral rigidity without the detriment of stacking grams. And for the Aero line, its light weight and high tensile strength keeps the weight of a 26.2mm wide rim down. 

When used on the Forty Six's maximum width of 20.8mm and a rim depth of 46mm, rotational weight becomes almost negligible. So, it can be asserted that while the Forty Six's aerodynamics play a vital role in its design, it hasn't undergone the same extensive DET tunnel-testing as the Aero series. However, like the RZR 46, the Forty Six has received Reynolds' Swirl Lip Generator (SLG) technology. It's easy to miss, but the leading edge of the rim features a 0.9mm lip in order to widen it near the spoke face. Accordingly, this minimizes pressure drag by reducing side forces on the rim, leaving room for responsiveness and weight to be the paramount characteristics of the Forty Six. And along these lines, you'll find that the wheels roll up to speed quickly, and demand less user-force to keep them there. Additionally, its exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio guarantees a nimble reaction to your force when you jump to pin down a climbing break.

Now, while the Aero and Forty Six differ in functionality, both wheels are constructed with the same proprietary carbon technology. The recipe consists of three technologies -- Hybrid Modulus Laminate (HLM), Variable Resin Chemistry (VRC), and Inert Gas Compaction (IGC). Basically, these three systems work harmoniously to construct the Forty Six. HLM is a method used to assign specific carbons and layups at different points of the rim. So, through this method, Reynolds placed different carbons and layups at the tire channel, brake track, side wall, internal nipple bed, and spoke face. Then, with VRC, Reynolds' exclusive resins bond the different laminates into a single structure. And lastly, IGC is used to mold and cure the rim in what Reynolds deems as the most ideal of environments. As a result of this construction process, the Forty Six is strengthened at strategic points, and benefits from a light overall weight. Additionally, the wheel's layup provides high levels of lateral and torsional rigidity under load.

With the Forty Six, Reynolds also addressed an all-too-common ailment to carbon wheels -- poor braking. The solution was found through the development of what Reynolds calls its Crynogenic Glass Transition Braking System (CTg). Essentially, this is a patented braking design that required both a redesign of the brake track laminate and pads. Accordingly, CTg uses a temperature-conductive laminate at the brake track's transition points that withstands higher levels of heat than typical carbon laminates. And when paired with Reynolds' polymer Cryo Blue brake pads, braking becomes more predictable and requires less finicky feathering on fast descents.

For the actual build, Reynolds used 20 radial-laced DT Swiss Aerolite spokes in the front and 24 spokes in a two-cross, drive-side pattern at the rear. These have been laced to DT Swiss straight-pull hubs, and the wheels attach with Reynolds' new camlock quick-release skewers. Please note that while the Forty Six's internal nipples decrease your drag footprint, truing the wheels will require a Reynolds-specific internal spoke wrench.

The Reynolds Forty Six T Tubular Wheelset is available in the color Black with White labels and in a tubular configuration. Please note that the rear wheel is offered with either a Shimano or Campagnolo 11-speed. Also, every wheelset includes two pairs of Reynolds Cryo Blue Brake Pads. Reynolds recommends only using its proprietary pads, and the use of any other brake pads will result in a void of your warranty.