SANTA CRUZ RESERVE 28 XC SL 29 DT 180 WHEELSET

The Santa Cruz Reserve 28 XC SL 29 DT 180 wheelset is a carbon XC MTB wheelset built for racers and for riders who want their 29" cross-country bike to respond instantly to every pedal stroke. 360-gram Reserve SL rims, DT Swiss 180 hubs with ceramic bearings and a claimed 1387 g for the pair, tape and valves included: genuine race-wheel numbers, combined with a structure designed to handle today's XC courses.

Reserve is Santa Cruz's carbon wheel brand, developing its rims in the lab and proving them in competition with the XC teams linked to the brand. The 28 XC SL is the lightweight evolution of the 28|XC rim: 25 grams less per rim than the standard version, with none of the toughness lost when the course turns technical, through rock gardens, roots and fast descents.

Reserve 28 XC SL rim: the heart of a carbon XC MTB wheelset

• 28 mm internal width (37 mm external): supports the sidewall of 2.2" to 2.5" tyres and keeps the tyre stable when cornering and braking.
• Low 20 mm profile: high lateral stiffness for precise handling and just the right vertical compliance to damp vibration and reduce fatigue in long races.
• Asymmetric design with 2.8 mm offset, flipped between front and rear, to balance spoke tension on both sides of the wheel.
• Step-in internal rim bed: makes tubeless setup easier and keeps the tyre bead seated even at low pressures.
• External reinforcement around the spoke holes, exactly where the rim is most stressed.
• SL rim weight: 360 g, compared with 385 g for the standard 28|XC rim.

DT Swiss 180 hubs: top-level lightness and rolling efficiency

The DT Swiss 180 is the most refined hub in the DT Swiss range, chosen by riders looking for the best balance of weight, friction and reliability. On this wheelset it comes in Boost spacing, with Center Lock rotor mount and SRAM XD driver.

• Ratchet EXP freewheel: fast, direct engagement, few parts and simple maintenance.
• SINC ceramic bearings: minimal friction for rolling efficiency you can feel on every acceleration and on long pedalling stretches.
• Boost standard: 15x110 mm front, 12x148 mm rear.
• SRAM XD driver for SRAM 12-speed drivetrains; for Shimano 12-speed, simply fit the dedicated DT Swiss Micro Spline freehub body.
• 24 straight-pull spokes per wheel: straight spokes with no bend at the head, transferring power directly and working under less stress.

For cross-country, marathon and full-gas rides

This wheelset shines where every gram and every watt counts. Low weight and reduced inertia translate into lively acceleration, while the stiffness of the whole package keeps your line precise when you push through corners and technical sections.

• Olympic XC and short track: explosive starts, constant accelerations and sudden changes of pace.
• Marathon and MTB granfondo: rolling efficiency and comfort that make the difference after hours in the saddle.
• Upgrade for XC hardtails and full-suspension bikes with 29" Boost: one of the most effective ways to make your bike lighter and livelier.

Why choose the Reserve 28 XC SL DT 180 wheelset

• Race weight: 1387 g per set, with tape and valves already included in the figure.
• 28 mm wide carbon SL rims, developed and proven in XC racing.
• DT Swiss 180 hubs with Ratchet EXP and ceramic bearings.
• Tubeless ready: Reserve tape pre-installed and Fillmore valves included.
• No rider weight limit stated by Reserve.
• Reserve Lifetime Warranty.

The Santa Cruz Reserve 28 XC SL 29 DT 180 wheelset is the right choice for riders who want a light, stiff and reliable carbon XC wheelset, race-ready from the very first lap and built to stay with you season after season.