Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Rims Now Available in 37mm

We’re big proponents of the 35 and 36mm internal width rims currently on the market. They offer an excellent width that can accommodate 2.8 and even 3.0″ tires, but they still won’t square off 2.6″ tires and can even accommodate 2.35 and 2.5″ rubber without issue. I was also smitten by Santa Cruz’s Reserve wheels after riding them for a long-term test on the Carbon Chameleon. It was specced with the Reserve 27s, apt for the 2.3″ tires with which they were shod. Now Santa Cruz has expanded the line with the Reserve 37. Featuring a 37mm internal width, the Reserve 37 is optimized for tires from 2.5 to 2.8 inches wide, and will still support a 3.0 nicely.

Santa Cruz tested several rim widths before committing to 37mm for its widest rim offering. They found that 37mm offered the best balance of support for wide-but-traditional tires (Maxxis’ 2.5 WT models, for instance), while still providing enough room to let 2.8-3.0 tires solve the “traction+volume=shred equation.”

With more tire choices becoming available it’s a great time to experiment, especially when toggling between bikepacking and trail rubber. From traditional 2.35″ treads to full plus tires – and my recent favorite, the Goldilock’s 2.6″ width, offering more volume and traction without the squirm and squish of plus – the Reserve 37 looks like another great option.

Santa Cruz is offering the Reserve 37 in both 27.5 and 29er versions, both with the same bead profile, 4mm asymmetrical offset, and 28 reinforced spoke holes (not to mention lifetime warranty). The Reserve 37 is available as a rim only for $599 and in wheelsets—handbuilt in Santa Cruz, CA—for $1,599 (with DT350 Boost Hubs) or $1,899 (I9 Hydra Boost). They’re not the cheapest carbon wheels on the market, but with a tough reputation and a lifetime warranty, they remain a favorite. Learn more over at SantaCruz.com.

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