Race Face Next R31 29er Carbon Wheelset
Race Face's Next R31 29er carbon wheelset is positioned as a best-in-class choice for aggressive trail riders who need a durable, tubeless-ready carbon rim built specifically for non-Boost 29er spacing. It undercuts many boutique rivals on price while offering robust impact tolerance and dependable hub performance, making it a practical value-oriented alternative to the ultralight DT Swiss XRC 1200 and the premium ENVE M630.
Featherlight trail punch
Stiff power transfer
Featherlight trail punch
Stiff power transfer
Review Summary
"Users praise the Next R31 for reliable stiffness, tubeless performance and strong real-world durability, though a minority mention occasional creaks and that it isn’t the absolute lightest wheelset available."
Keeps grinning uphill
31mm internal 29er carbon rim optimized for fast XC and light trail use.
Keeps grinning uphill
31mm internal 29er carbon rim optimized for fast XC and light trail use.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Race Face's Next R31 29er carbon wheelset is positioned as a best-in-class choice for aggressive trail riders who need a durable, tubeless-ready carbon rim built specifically for non-Boost 29er spacing. It undercuts many boutique rivals on price while offering robust impact tolerance and dependable hub performance, making it a practical value-oriented alternative to the ultralight DT Swiss XRC 1200 and the premium ENVE M630.
Featherlight trail punch
Stiff power transfer
Keeps grinning uphill
31mm internal 29er carbon rim optimized for fast XC and light trail use.
Tubeless-ready hookless rim with layup tuned for impact resistance.
Featherlight trail punch
Stiff power transfer
Keeps grinning uphill
31mm internal 29er carbon rim optimized for fast XC and light trail use.
Tubeless-ready hookless rim with layup tuned for impact resistance.
$1,200-1,800 CAD
DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline Carbon Wheelset
The DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline Carbon Wheelset is the market leader for XC-focused riders who prioritize minimal weight and razor-sharp pedaling efficiency in a non-Boost 29er package, featuring DT's high-end Spline rim construction and premium hub engagement. It commands a premium price and sacrifices some crash tolerance compared with ENVE and Race Face, but its technical advantages in weight and engagement make it the top pick for racers willing to pay for performance.
Race-weight minimalism
Precision hub engagement
Race-weight minimalism
Precision hub engagement
Review Summary
"Riders consistently praise the XRC 1200 Spline for exceptional lightness, precise handling and premium DT Swiss hub performance, making it a frequent top pick for racing; the high price and cautious use on very rocky trails are the main caveats."
Explosive corner pop
Ultra-light carbon rims designed specifically for cross-country race performance.
Explosive corner pop
Ultra-light carbon rims designed specifically for cross-country race performance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline Carbon Wheelset is the market leader for XC-focused riders who prioritize minimal weight and razor-sharp pedaling efficiency in a non-Boost 29er package, featuring DT's high-end Spline rim construction and premium hub engagement. It commands a premium price and sacrifices some crash tolerance compared with ENVE and Race Face, but its technical advantages in weight and engagement make it the top pick for racers willing to pay for performance.
Race-weight minimalism
Precision hub engagement
Explosive corner pop
Ultra-light carbon rims designed specifically for cross-country race performance.
DT Swiss ratchet EXP hub mechanism with high-quality sealed bearings for fast engagement.
Race-weight minimalism
Precision hub engagement
Explosive corner pop
Ultra-light carbon rims designed specifically for cross-country race performance.
DT Swiss ratchet EXP hub mechanism with high-quality sealed bearings for fast engagement.
ENVE M630 Carbon Wheelset
The ENVE M630 Carbon Wheelset is selected for riders wanting a fortified trail/enduro-capable non-Boost 29er rim with ENVE's exacting layup and ride-tuned compliance, delivering an exceptional stiffness-to-durability balance. More expensive than Race Face and Reserve, it outperforms many competitors in long-term durability and refined ride quality while offering a more forgiving, confidence-inspiring feel than the race-leaning DT Swiss XRC 1200.
Trail-tuned internal width
Plush yet precise ride
Trail-tuned internal width
Plush yet precise ride
Review Summary
"Owners report the ENVE M630 delivers outstanding durability, predictable ride quality and excellent tubeless setup with top-tier build finish; the steep price and limited service points are the most common downsides."
Corner-giggling confidence
M-Series mid-width carbon rim engineered for a balance of durability and predictable handling.
Corner-giggling confidence
M-Series mid-width carbon rim engineered for a balance of durability and predictable handling.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The ENVE M630 Carbon Wheelset is selected for riders wanting a fortified trail/enduro-capable non-Boost 29er rim with ENVE's exacting layup and ride-tuned compliance, delivering an exceptional stiffness-to-durability balance. More expensive than Race Face and Reserve, it outperforms many competitors in long-term durability and refined ride quality while offering a more forgiving, confidence-inspiring feel than the race-leaning DT Swiss XRC 1200.
Trail-tuned internal width
Plush yet precise ride
Corner-giggling confidence
M-Series mid-width carbon rim engineered for a balance of durability and predictable handling.
Built with premium hubs or partner hub options and robust bearing seals for trail abuse.
Trail-tuned internal width
Plush yet precise ride
Corner-giggling confidence
M-Series mid-width carbon rim engineered for a balance of durability and predictable handling.
Built with premium hubs or partner hub options and robust bearing seals for trail abuse.
$2,800-3,600 CAD
Santa Cruz Reserve 30 Carbon Wheelset
The Santa Cruz Reserve 30 Carbon Wheelset is a market leader for trail riders seeking a purpose-built non-Boost 29er wheel that combines high-impact durability with thoughtful OEM integration and competitive pricing. It targets the sweet spot between the low-cost toughness of Race Face and the premium finishes of ENVE, offering a strong strength-to-cost ratio and rider-friendly service policies that make it especially attractive to Santa Cruz owners and value-conscious trail riders.
Daylong stability
Bombproof rim bed
Daylong stability
Bombproof rim bed
Review Summary
"The Santa Cruz Reserve 30 is celebrated for its wide rim profile, snappy engagement and robust build that stands up to aggressive riding, with very few performance complaints; most criticisms focus on the premium price."
Turns like magic
Proprietary Reserve carbon layup focused on delivering high stiffness-to-weight for aggressive trail riding.
Turns like magic
Proprietary Reserve carbon layup focused on delivering high stiffness-to-weight for aggressive trail riding.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Santa Cruz Reserve 30 Carbon Wheelset is a market leader for trail riders seeking a purpose-built non-Boost 29er wheel that combines high-impact durability with thoughtful OEM integration and competitive pricing. It targets the sweet spot between the low-cost toughness of Race Face and the premium finishes of ENVE, offering a strong strength-to-cost ratio and rider-friendly service policies that make it especially attractive to Santa Cruz owners and value-conscious trail riders.
Daylong stability
Bombproof rim bed
Turns like magic
Proprietary Reserve carbon layup focused on delivering high stiffness-to-weight for aggressive trail riding.
High-engagement hub with enduro-grade bearings and non-boost axle compatibility.
Daylong stability
Bombproof rim bed
Turns like magic
Proprietary Reserve carbon layup focused on delivering high stiffness-to-weight for aggressive trail riding.
High-engagement hub with enduro-grade bearings and non-boost axle compatibility.
$2,400-3,200 CAD
Mavic Crossmax SL Ultimate Carbon Wheelset
The Mavic Crossmax SL Ultimate Carbon Wheelset represents a long-standing, reliable option for non-Boost 29er riders who want proven rim technology and wide service support, pairing competitive performance with user-friendly tubeless systems. Typically priced between entry value and ultra-premium options, it offers an appealing balance of reliability, established spare-part availability and European service reach compared with some boutique manufacturers.
Race-ready acceleration
UST tubeless simplicity
Race-ready acceleration
UST tubeless simplicity
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Crossmax SL Ultimate for its lightweight feel and competitive performance, but some cite concerns about long-term hub maintenance and rim finish compared with newer offerings; overall it’s seen as a strong high-end option with a few aging design tradeoffs."
Quick-pit hero
Lightweight Mavic carbon rim construction tuned for XC speed and responsiveness.
Quick-pit hero
Lightweight Mavic carbon rim construction tuned for XC speed and responsiveness.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Mavic Crossmax SL Ultimate Carbon Wheelset represents a long-standing, reliable option for non-Boost 29er riders who want proven rim technology and wide service support, pairing competitive performance with user-friendly tubeless systems. Typically priced between entry value and ultra-premium options, it offers an appealing balance of reliability, established spare-part availability and European service reach compared with some boutique manufacturers.
Race-ready acceleration
UST tubeless simplicity
Quick-pit hero
Lightweight Mavic carbon rim construction tuned for XC speed and responsiveness.
Instant-engagement hub design with sealed bearings for reliable performance.
Race-ready acceleration
UST tubeless simplicity
Quick-pit hero
Lightweight Mavic carbon rim construction tuned for XC speed and responsiveness.
Instant-engagement hub design with sealed bearings for reliable performance.
$1,600-2,200 CAD