Reserve 28|XC Carbon Wheelset
The LoamLabs Expert Take
When every gram matters, the 28|XC is the answer. As the lightest mountain bike wheelset in the Reserve lineup, it's designed for pure cross-country speed. Its lightweight and compliant rim provides explosive acceleration for punching up climbs and sprinting for the finish line. This is the ultimate choice for the competitive XC and marathon racer.
Custom Hub Builds Available In-House!
(DT Swiss, Industry Nine, Onyx, and more)
We sometimes build these wheels in-house to the manufacturer's exact specifications using sourced components, ensuring availability even when the manufacturer is backordered.
For additional hub models, spokes, custom nipple colors, and 6-Bolt options, please try our interactive Custom Wheel Builder!
Reserve
Reserve 28|XC Carbon Wheelset
Reserve 28|XC Carbon Wheelset
* Special orders for this item typically ship within 2-3 weeks. If a longer wait is required, we will notify you. Please contact us with any questions.
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Reserve 28|XC Carbon Wheelset
The Reserve 28|XC carbon mountain bike wheelset is the pure, race-ready culmination of years spent competing at the absolute highest levels of World Cup cross-country racing. Weighing in at an incredibly light 1,387 grams (with DT Swiss 180 hubs), this is the ultimate upgrade for competitive XC and marathon racers looking to shave rotational weight without sacrificing durability.
Featuring a completely redesigned rim profile that is both wider and shallower than its predecessors, the 28|XC delivers the perfect blend of lateral rigidity for out-of-the-saddle sprinting and vertical compliance to reduce rider fatigue over technical roots and rocks. The newly shaped rim bed also drastically improves tubeless tire installation and bead retention at the ultra-low pressures demanded by modern XC racers.
Sturdy enough for rowdy, technical backcountry trails yet light enough for the World Cup circuit, the 28|XC features zero rider weight limits and is backed by Reserve's legendary no-fault lifetime warranty. Now available with ultra-lightweight BERD PolyLight spoke upgrades for maximum acceleration off the start line!
Technical Specifications
- Designed For: Cross-Country (XC) Riding and Marathon Racing
- Wheelset Weights: 1387g (DT 180) | 1433g (DT 240) | 1491g (DT 350)
- Rim Weight: 385g
- Internal Width: 28.0mm
- Depth: 20.0mm
- ERD: 597mm
- Spoke Count: 24h
- Recommended Tire Size: 2.2" to 2.5"
- Hub Spacing: Boost 15x110mm Front / 12x148mm Rear
- Brake Interface: Centerlock
- Freehub Options: SRAM XD, Shimano Microspline, Shimano HG
Key Features
Externally Reinforced Spoke Holes: Reserve uses externally reinforced spoke holes to strengthen the area where the rim sees the most intense force (around the spoke nipple). This targeted carbon reinforcement provides massively improved pull-out strength without adding unnecessary rotational weight to the entire rim.
Asymmetrical Design: Asymmetrical rims on both the front and rear create a significantly stiffer, stronger, and more reliable wheel build. By improving the bracing angles and equalizing the spoke tension between the drive and non-drive sides, the wheel provides superior lateral stiffness during high-wattage sprints.
Redesigned Rim Bed: The 28|XC's redesigned rim bed dramatically eases tubeless installation. The specifically shaped rim bed utilizes offset spoke holes that allow the tire to easily push past the bead bump, ensuring a safe, rapid, and secure tubeless seating process while improving bead retention at low tire pressures.
