LUKE’S CANYON STRIVE CFR UNDERDOG £4,799
Some spec changes give our technical writer food for thought
With the Strive being my test platform, this month I’ve fitted a couple of new products that need to be put through their paces on the trails. First item on the menu is a set of Reynolds’ Blacklabel 329 Trail Pro wheels. The brand’s latest high-end carbon fibre hoops, these weigh just 1,574g – pretty svelte, considering their slightly-wider-than-usual 32mm internal rim width. They feature Sapim CX-Ray spokes and a custom hub shell made by Industry Nine. This houses I9’s Hydra internals, which give near-instant 0.52-degree freehub engagement – that’s 40 times faster than the DT Swiss 370 rear hub it replaced.
I’m only a few rides in, but first impressions are positive. The weight reduction and quick pick-up have given the Strive a sprightlier feel on the trail. However, the big question is how well will such a lightweight trail wheelset hold up on an aggressive enduro bike? I’ve given them a few hard hits and hucks, with nothing to worry about so far. I’ll keep them tubeless for a few rides more before fitting my inserts, to see how they get on. I also need to get them into
