Head to head
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51vsReserve 40|44
Both sections drawn to one scale, from each maker's published geometry. The differences you can see in the drawing are the differences that exist.
- Depth
- 7 mm apart
- 51 vs 44 mm
- External
- 1 mm apart
- 31 vs 32 mm
- Internal
- 2.5 mm apart
- 23 vs 25.5 mm
- Claimed weight
- 42 g apart
- 1,450 vs 1,408 g
- UK RRP
- £500 apart
- £2,200 vs £1,700
Rim depth
51 mm
40 / 44 mm
9 mm apart. Deeper is faster on the flat; shallower is calmer in crosswind and lighter uphill. Neither is simply better.
Internal width
23 mm
25.5 mm
The wider rim is built around a wider tyre. Match this to the tyre you actually run, not to the bigger number.
External width
31 mm
32 mm
Governs how the rim and tyre meet the air, and frame clearance.
Bontrager
Aeolus RSL 51
RRP £2,200
UCI mass-start road
Eligible — Eligible on the rules we assess
Reserve
40|44
RRP £1,700
UCI mass-start road
Eligible — Eligible on the rules we assess