The Reynolds R2 I built up the other day has
a label on the outer edge that looks like this.
I have permission to show the serial number.
There's a barcode in the upper left, and below it a number starting with HZ,
and on the right side are markings for rim outer diameter and rim width.
This "HZ" prefix doesn't seem to be just a random serial number
happening to fall somewhere between AA and ZZ.
That's because even on models that have been produced over very long periods,
I've never seen numbers starting with anything other than HZ.
More concrete evidence: HZ is supposed to be
an acronym of the OEM manufacturer's name,
but I'm going to play dumb on that point.
In cases like this, you'd think there might be some courtesy—
for example, if the OEM is Shimano they'd mark it SH, if Easton then EC,
if Reynolds then RZ and so on—making it look like it's made in-house.
But the HZ rim doesn't get that treatment.
Next to the pink label should be a sticker with the same number.
HZ rims use two labels with matching numbers—
one that's embedded one layer under the outermost carbon layer (can't be peeled off)
and one that peels off easily.
Maybe it's a requirement for quality control or something.
The 32 I built yesterday also has
the same style label.
There should have been a peelable label next to the rim hole,
but it was already gone when I received it.
↑This is a Reynolds Assault.
It's a 41mm deep rim with a Swirl Lip.
I've received about two comments saying "The notation should be 'Swirl', not 'Whirl'."
Thanks for the comments.
I've often written "whirlwind" as "whalewind," so it's probably the same kind of thing.
Apparently "swirl" is the standard notation used in industrial terminology as well,
so I'll correct it from now on.
↑Same style here too.
By the way, people occasionally mention that the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim looks suspiciously similar
to the Reynolds 32mm deep rim.
Actually, that's true, and here's why:
This is the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim.
↑The non-peelable label.
↑The peelable label next to it.
The number is exactly the same—HZ something-or-other.
Reynolds has already stopped producing the 32mm deep rim,
and it's been completely discontinued.
So the factory that originally made it—whether with permission or as a side hustle, who knows—
is now manufacturing and selling 32mm deep carbon rims under no brand name.
However, they've left off the Swirl Lip
because it would infringe on Reynolds' patent.
So you might say the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim is the same as the R2,
but there's one major difference.
The Reynolds R2 rim I actually measured came in at 240g,
but the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 measures 300g.
When you press the R2 rim side with your finger, it gives a little,
but the No. 6 rim is solid and stiff.
And yesterday, after building R2 and 32 back-to-back, I noticed
that final tension truing felt like walking on thin ice—very nerve-wracking.
The No. 6 rim builds with total confidence,
and realizing a 60g difference makes that much difference surprised me.
You see the same trend with early EDGE 1-25 and 1-45
versus their later ENVE equivalents.
About that rim weight difference—
it's not just 60g, but as a ratio,
300g versus 240g is 125%,
which means these are completely different rims performance-wise.
Reynolds' Japan distributor briefly sold wheels made with this "nameless 32"
under the DWL brand.
You should be able to find them searching "DWL wheels."
DWL appears to have been a one- or two-time spot purchase item,
and now only the freehub body is available.
I didn't stock them because the rear wheel assembly was shoddy,
but the full wheelset's retail price was ¥150,000 before tax, ¥162,000 with tax.
So the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6, being theoretically better designed than DWL,
assembled with better precision, properly tensioned,
and offered at a lower price, should sell well.
I'm planning to price it around ¥138,000 including tax.
Anyway,
the whole point was to say
"Reynolds rims are made by HZ something-or-other,
and the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim comes from the same source!"
I was teasing that I'd write something controversial, but this turned out to be pretty mundane. Ha ha.
I've shaken off the thought police pursuers!
Before I get caught, I gotta . . .
I won't be back to the free world for a while!
a label on the outer edge that looks like this.
I have permission to show the serial number.
There's a barcode in the upper left, and below it a number starting with HZ,
and on the right side are markings for rim outer diameter and rim width.
This "HZ" prefix doesn't seem to be just a random serial number
happening to fall somewhere between AA and ZZ.
That's because even on models that have been produced over very long periods,
I've never seen numbers starting with anything other than HZ.
More concrete evidence: HZ is supposed to be
an acronym of the OEM manufacturer's name,
but I'm going to play dumb on that point.
In cases like this, you'd think there might be some courtesy—
for example, if the OEM is Shimano they'd mark it SH, if Easton then EC,
if Reynolds then RZ and so on—making it look like it's made in-house.
But the HZ rim doesn't get that treatment.
Next to the pink label should be a sticker with the same number.
HZ rims use two labels with matching numbers—
one that's embedded one layer under the outermost carbon layer (can't be peeled off)
and one that peels off easily.
Maybe it's a requirement for quality control or something.
The 32 I built yesterday also has
the same style label.
There should have been a peelable label next to the rim hole,
but it was already gone when I received it.
↑This is a Reynolds Assault.
It's a 41mm deep rim with a Swirl Lip.
I've received about two comments saying "The notation should be 'Swirl', not 'Whirl'."
Thanks for the comments.
I've often written "whirlwind" as "whalewind," so it's probably the same kind of thing.
Apparently "swirl" is the standard notation used in industrial terminology as well,
so I'll correct it from now on.
↑Same style here too.
By the way, people occasionally mention that the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim looks suspiciously similar
to the Reynolds 32mm deep rim.
Actually, that's true, and here's why:
This is the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim.
↑The non-peelable label.
↑The peelable label next to it.
The number is exactly the same—HZ something-or-other.
Reynolds has already stopped producing the 32mm deep rim,
and it's been completely discontinued.
So the factory that originally made it—whether with permission or as a side hustle, who knows—
is now manufacturing and selling 32mm deep carbon rims under no brand name.
However, they've left off the Swirl Lip
because it would infringe on Reynolds' patent.
So you might say the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim is the same as the R2,
but there's one major difference.
The Reynolds R2 rim I actually measured came in at 240g,
but the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 measures 300g.
When you press the R2 rim side with your finger, it gives a little,
but the No. 6 rim is solid and stiff.
And yesterday, after building R2 and 32 back-to-back, I noticed
that final tension truing felt like walking on thin ice—very nerve-wracking.
The No. 6 rim builds with total confidence,
and realizing a 60g difference makes that much difference surprised me.
You see the same trend with early EDGE 1-25 and 1-45
versus their later ENVE equivalents.
About that rim weight difference—
it's not just 60g, but as a ratio,
300g versus 240g is 125%,
which means these are completely different rims performance-wise.
Reynolds' Japan distributor briefly sold wheels made with this "nameless 32"
under the DWL brand.
You should be able to find them searching "DWL wheels."
DWL appears to have been a one- or two-time spot purchase item,
and now only the freehub body is available.
I didn't stock them because the rear wheel assembly was shoddy,
but the full wheelset's retail price was ¥150,000 before tax, ¥162,000 with tax.
So the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6, being theoretically better designed than DWL,
assembled with better precision, properly tensioned,
and offered at a lower price, should sell well.
I'm planning to price it around ¥138,000 including tax.
Anyway,
the whole point was to say
"Reynolds rims are made by HZ something-or-other,
and the Nomu Lab Wheel No. 6 rim comes from the same source!"
I was teasing that I'd write something controversial, but this turned out to be pretty mundane. Ha ha.
I've shaken off the thought police pursuers!
Before I get caught, I gotta . . .
I won't be back to the free world for a while!