There was a time when house-branded components were only cheap stems, handlebars, and seatposts with a logo slapped on to keep the bike's price as low as possible. These days, they're often high-end carbon fiber wheels and handlebars that, while still being used to save some coin over name-brand stuff, are often worthy of upgrading to themselves. Santa Cruz's Reserve wheel range debuted in 2017 and would probably fall into that category for most riders, and they've just released a new rim size for those who like big wheels and big meat: a 29" version of their Reserve 37 rim that's, you guessed it, 37mm wide internally.
The Reserve 37 rim is intended to be used with tires from 2.5" to 3.0" wide.
Rims this wide tend to splay a tire's bead out, which can, in turn, flatten the profile and make the handling a bit funny if the tire wasn't designed for it. Santa Cruz says that the 37mm internal width is intended for rubber that's 2.5" to 2.8" wide, and they'll even play nice with your 29" x 3" wide tires, you lovable kook.
The carbon rim is constructed in the same way as its 27.5" counterpart, and that means they get the same asymmetrical drilling and external butting at each spoke hole. The offset holes are used so left and right-side spoke tension is closer to being equal, while the extra material at each of the angled holes is said to increase strength in a critical zone. The bumps make the Reserve hoops stand out from a sea of black carbon rims that all look alike, too.
There's added carbon at the spoke holes (left) for increased strength at a critical spot, while the bead (right) is said to be relatively thick for impact resistance.
Complete wheels are built with twenty-eight Sapim CX-Ray spokes, with the idea being to add in a touch of compliance by using fewer (and bladed) spokes, and you can get 'em with DT Swiss' 350 or Industry Nine hubs at the center. There are, of course, SRAM or Shimano-style freehub options.
Time for the numbers. A bare, 29" Reserve 37 rim sells for $599 USD and is said to weigh 495-grams, while a complete wheelset with the Swiss' hubs will cost $1,599 USD and weigh a claimed 1,785-grams. They do come with a solid sounding warranty as well, with a free replacement rim if you manage to inflict fatal damage while riding. Off-bike incidents fall under the crash replacement program.
None of the Tall boy builds have an option for these 37mm wide rims, none of them are spec'ed with 2.6" tires.
You're reaching pretty hard here. The more telling thing is the Radavist shoot, and the fact that none of the tallboy builds (25mm rims and 2.3 tires) or promo shows any hint of the 37mm rim.
theradavist.com/2019/08/riding-utahs-thunder-mountain-a-trail-with-residual-harmony-on-santa-cruz-reserve-37-29er-wheels
And also, the Santa Cruz page claims 37mm will work nicely with Maxxis 2.5WT, so technically it has any chance of being on any other bike in their line up.
I have 36mm internal rims (trail360's) on a 29er full sus trail bike. My problem is, these rims lock me in to pretty much one tire size for this bike: 2.6's. The frame can't handle wider tires, the wheels can't handle narrower. I love 2.6 tires, but... I also like options, so I find myself wishing I'd gotten narrower aftermarket rims. What are folks' favorite 2.6 tires?
Second, if I were to build a second bike for these wide wheels, I'd want a frame that can run at least a 2.8 rear. Do you amazing PBers know a great 29er frame that accepts 2.8 rears and is designed for a 130 - 150mm fork? And then, what 29er fork with can handle a 2.8 - 3.0 front tire?
Cheers.
But for the rear I am happy with narrower rim and tire. You can run 2.6 Rekon at back for example but I would suggest it only for hardtail use. Its too balloonish for full-sus IMHO.
In short, Maxxis 2.5/2.6 with ±35 rim, and 2.4/2.3 with 25-30mm rim. Those are all my opinions.
I believe the Butcher comes in 2.6" as well.
Consider supporting a great company, full of great riders and industry veterans.
Have a look at how many great riders are on their wheels (Brett Rheeder for example)
In 29er version it must be insane. I can see use for such wide rim at front (I have i35's).
And honesty, it's a great warranty. You f*ck up on bike? Covered. f*ck up off bike? Mostly covered. Go talk to Enve if that isn't good enough.
I have a set and they're quality built wheels.......that take the punishment