Reynolds

Assault SLG Carbon Wheelset - Tubeless

While it's not quite as dire as the original from WWI, being stuck in cycling's version of no-man's land can be extremely frustrating and spell the end of your chances in a race. The aptly named Reynolds Assault SLG Carbon Wheelset is made for when you're on your own trying to bridge across to the break and every little bit of advantage helps. Whether you're on flats in The Hell of the North, the rolling hills of Verdun, or even climbing Monte Grappa, the Assault's 41 millimeter depth and low weight recommend it as the all-purpose rim for navigating the spaces between.

As with the other members of Reynolds' Performance family, the Assault's key change is the addition of tubeless functionality. You can still run the Assault as a traditional clincher, but the rims' redesigned shelves and lips hold a tubeless tire securely at low or high PSI. The lower rolling resistance and comfort of a tubeless ride is complemented by the Assault's wide rim, which Reynolds calls "modern" but we call less rolling resistance, better cornering, and a more comfortable ride. Other than the new tubeless-ready design, the Assault SLGs return in 2015 with few changes to the tech and properties that have made it a staple at all levels of competitive riding.

Reynolds' Enhanced SLG (Swirl Lip Generator) is the Assault's aerodynamic heart. SLG is a 0.9mm lip of carbon beneath the rim's brake track that smooths airflow as it passes to the tapered spoke face. Tests at the A2 Wind Tunnel confirmed that it translates to a 12.5 second gain over a distance of 40 kilometers — a 35% improvement. Additionally, empirical testing shows that SLG reduces drag by 20% at a yaw angle of 10 degrees. According to Alphamantis, Inc., we spend most of our races at 10 degrees, so the Assault's Advanced SLG is most effective when we're most in need.

The CTg brake track is also bright spot as it addresses one of the ongoing drawbacks of carbon rims. CTg is a laminate Reynolds developed that can withstand around 100 more degrees Fahrenheit than typical carbon braking surfaces, all but eliminating the risk of the rim deforming or failing under long, hard brake use. The Assault SLGs also included Reynolds' proprietary Cryo-Blue Power brake pads, which work with the CTg laminate to produce more consistent (read: safer) braking. Safety is also improved through Reynolds' PR3 construction method, which uses different carbon fiber, epoxy, and resin for each of five rim regions.