Looking at some Reynolds wheelsets and can’t figure out what the difference between the Strike series wheels and the Aero series wheels is. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Slightly lower quality. They’re still good wheels though. They have a much different cross section than that of their aero line. They’re also a generation older than the current (2018) Reynolds aero wheels. (which were just completely redesigned) The previous generation of their aero wheels (2014-2017) is still nicer than the strikes though.
Cool. Thank you very much. How do you think they compare to Zipp firecrests?
Cool. Thank you very much. How do you think they compare to Zipp firecrests?
The strikes don’t compare to them at all. They’re really like second tier wheels. Reynolds Aero line is comparable to the firecrests though. If the strikes are in your price range, I recommend the Profile Design 78-twenty fours. They’re around the same price (cheaper if you know where to look) and they compare closer to the zipp firecrests and reynolds aero line.
If you are looking at the strike price range I would look at Boyd wheels. Super nice wheels, very competitively priced.
If you are looking at the strike price range I would look at Boyd wheels. Super nice wheels, very competitively priced.
+1
Although they’re looked down upon by gear snobs who own Zipps or whatever, they are definitely really well build wheels. Great customer service too. Performance-wise, on par with all the name brands
Looked down upon by gear snobs…appreciated by actual bike racers across the southeast (probably further but I’ll speak to my own experience).
Even though I got a fantastic deal on my Roval 64’s the Boyd 60mm were on the short list and still hard to pass up for the money and quality.
Alright - so question - Given that the Reynolds Strike wheels are an older wheel, does that mean they are slower than say any of the wheels mentioned in this thread? I am running a set of Reynolds Strike, with a disc cover on race day, and am now wondering if moving to something more current would be advantageous.
I honestly don’t know, but my impression is the Strikes are similar to the older Zipps…so newer style wheels might be a tick faster and probably handle a lot better in cross winds…but that is just my impression…do not take it as fact.
Cool. Thank you very much. How do you think they compare to Zipp firecrests?
Would never go with Reynolds Strike over Zipp. Why did you sell your Firecrests?
Your disc cover makes your Strike wheels faster than almost any spoked wheels.
I have a set of 808s. I bought a Reynolds element disc on a deal and was thinking of selling the 808s to get a matching set of Reynolds that I could train and race with and bank some of the extra money but only if they are equal to zips in quality. So looking at maybe a 50mm set of Reynolds that I could train with then use with the disc on race day
Reynolds makes rim brake wheels with rim depths of 29mm, 41mm, 46mm, 62mm, 65mm, 80mm, and 92mm.
If you want a 50mm rim, Reynolds makes them for me and I can build them up with a lot of different hubs. I like to use Sapim CX-Ray spokes.
I have a set of 808s. I bought a Reynolds element disc on a deal and was thinking of selling the 808s to get a matching set of Reynolds that I could train and race with and bank some of the extra money but only if they are equal to zips in quality. So looking at maybe a 50mm set of Reynolds that I could train with then use with the disc on race day
Zipp is the premier wheelset, no ands, ifs and butts about it. I would keep the 808 and use the disc for race day. Definitely wouldn’t trade down to Reynolds. Don’t worry about mismatching, the decals are heavy anyway and you can always remove many decals and go even more stealth and safe weight and possibly aero.
If you really want training wheels I would be curious why you wouldn’t want to jump on the Hed Jet+ 6 $949 deal over anything Reynolds make. Link in signature to a post about why I think they are the way to go for nearly everyone. For starters braking with alumnium is just better and training is really where you want great braking.
Zipps are not just the best for everyone. Best marketing yes but not the best product. I have had several set and them sold them immediately for my current profile design 24 58 78.
I also have owned 2nd generation Reynolds Assaults tubulars and the were replaced with Reynolds Assault clinchers.
Hands down the Zipp 606 / 404 / Aluminum and Carbon were the least enjoyable and the biggest pain in the ass of all of the wheels I have owned.
Always rubbing on the brakes because of them flexing under any kind of load.
Zipps are not just the best for everyone. Best marketing yes but not the best product. I have had several set and them sold them immediately for my current profile design 24 58 78.
I also have owned 2nd generation Reynolds Assaults tubulars and the were replaced with Reynolds Assault clinchers.
Hands down the Zipp 606 / 404 / Aluminum and Carbon were the least enjoyable and the biggest pain in the ass of all of the wheels I have owned.
Always rubbing on the brakes because of them flexing under any kind of load.
Sure people might have different experiences and I can certainly agree that Zipp has done a heck of a job of marketing. But at the same time I have seen not only the work they have put into their wheels, but all the testing they have done as they push properties and materials to their limits. I am sure it could have happened but I just don’t know of anyone having melted the brake track of a Zipp and 90% of the people I interact with ride Zipp. Other wheel manufacturers, I don’t have the same confidence in, and have seen various issues with wheels happen. Personally, I don’t really get why anyone wanted carbon clinchers from a technical standpoint. From a marketing standpoint, sure I can see the allure to CC.
But that is more of my point in the first place. If a company is good at marketing, chances are their product is in high demand. Now economics always come into play in regards to supply and deman,d but it is hard enough having to unload a set of Zipps, let alone other brands that are not held in the same light. Which brings me back to the OP and just sticking with the 808s. You aren’t going to get any more performance out of Reynolds. Probably less aero, less braking, and just a lot of wasted money and process in orchestrating the swap.
Never seen a melted Zipp, seen several of melted Reynolds in the assault/strike series.
The much dearer aero series are much better brake track wise and the 58 is particularly easy to handle in side winds but is only as good as the lower 303 zipp for aero speed and is heavier.
I have no knowledge of the brand new wheels just out.
The only reason Zipps rub brakes is that people forget to check the preload adjustment or neglect to change the rear bearings regularly as they are a bit small for the job.
Don’t know why, it is only a ten minute job to change bearings and the preload is seconds.
A 16 or 20 spoke front 808 firecrest is still the reference all other wheels are measured against.
Reynolds Strike wheels are great wheel and tubeless compatible. I doubt differences with Zipps are objectively measurable in speed. The difference is definitely objectively measurable in your wallet!
Aero wheels from Reynolds are a step up from Strike but again, I doubt you’ll feel difference in real life. I prefer Reynolds (Aero 72 and 90) over Zipp (808) in crosswinds but it is not a huge difference (I like both). Strike is lower profile and definitely handles very well in crosswinds (but so does Zipp 404).
Reynolds Aero 72 and Strike and Zipp 808 are easy to change tires. Reynolds Aero 90 is a pain to change tires. Haven’t tried the new Reynolds Aero 80 yet or Zipp NSW.
Both Reynolds and Zipp have good brake surfaces (paired with the right pads).
Sam
Just thinking that I would worry less with a less expensive pair of wheels on there for training without much performance loss. But if the difference is great then I’ll stick with the Zipps. Don’t want Alu wheels which require constant changing of brake pads to ride a carbon wheel.
I bought a Blue 3 years ago. They came with Reynolds Strike. They were good enough that I sold my Zipp 404/808 combo.
I think tire choice is more important than the difference in the wheels.