Reserve SL Tune Pico: when American aero meets German lightness

It is the kind of collaboration that thrills any lover of fine equipment. On one side, Reserve, the wheel division of Santa Cruz (and technical partner of Visma | Lease a Bike), known for its mastery of carbon and its “Turbulent Aero” profiles. On the other, Tune, the German craftsman from the Black Forest, obsessed with every superfluous gram since the 1990s.

The result? An all-new Reserve SL Tune Pico range. If you were looking to lighten your machine without sacrificing aero, you are in the right place. We take a close look at this 2026 release, which is likely to hurt your mates’ legs (and your wallet a little).

The heart of the system: the Tune Pico hubs

This is the big news of the launch. Reserve did not simply pick from Tune’s existing catalogue. Together they developed the Pico hub.

Why “Pico”? For small, light, compact. Machined in Germany (in Buggingen, to be precise) from 7075-T6 aerospace aluminium, these gems come in at a cheeky 275 g a pair. Yes, you read that right, that is the weight of a good saddle.

But low weight is not everything. The internal mechanism is designed for responsiveness:

• Engagement: 69 points of engagement as standard (5.2°), with an option to move to 138 points (2.6°) for those obsessed with instant pick-up.
• Architecture: They are specifically designed for the Reserve SL rims, guaranteeing perfect spoke alignment to avoid any unnecessary twisting.

Vonoa spokes: stiffness goes carbon

To go with these exceptional hubs, Reserve has skipped steel. Make way for Vonoa carbon spokes.

If you have already ridden carbon spokes, you know the feeling: it is direct, sometimes harsh, but incredibly efficient. Here, the aim is twofold:

1. Weight saving: They play a big part in bringing the pair under the 1,200 g mark (for the 34|37 model).
2. Aerodynamics: Their flat, wide profile cuts through the air better than a classic round spoke.

Their straight-pull design, combined with the Pico hubs, ensures high and constant tension. Under acceleration, power transfer is immediate. No vagueness, no lag. It is raw.

Three profiles for three terrains

True to its “Turbulent Aero” philosophy (which prioritises stability in real-world winds rather than in a sterile wind tunnel), Reserve offers this SL range in three mixed-depth versions. The idea is still to have a shallower, wider front wheel for handling, and a deeper rear wheel for inertia.

• 34|37 SL: At 1,140 g on the scale, it is the ultimate weapon for the Étape du Tour or the Alpine passes. The 34 mm front rim (22.8 mm internal width) shrugs off crosswinds.
• 42|49 SL: This is the ideal compromise. At 1,290 g, it is still very light for climbing but offers a real aero gain on the flat thanks to its 49 mm rear rim. It is the model we recommend for 80% of riders.
• 57|64 SL: For rouleurs and triathletes. 1,470 g for rims of this depth is quite a feat.

On the road: what to expect?

On paper, the combination of Reserve rim + Tune hub + carbon spokes promises explosive behaviour.

• On the climbs: The low peripheral inertia (the rims are 30 g lighter each than the standard versions) should give a disconcerting feeling of ease as soon as the gradient exceeds 8%.
• Comfort: This is often the weak point of carbon-spoked wheels. However, the generous internal widths (up to 25.4 mm on the 42|49) allow 28 or 30 mm tyres to be fitted at low pressure, which will compensate for the vertical stiffness of the spoking.

Our verdict

Reserve hits hard in 2026. By teaming up with Tune, the American brand erases the one small criticism that could sometimes be levelled at its classic DT Swiss builds: a certain lack of exoticism. Here we have an ultra-premium, “No Limit” wheelset (lifetime warranty, no rider weight limit) that moves onto the territory of Lightweight or Partington, but with the ease of servicing of a more traditional wheel (replaceable spokes).

If your budget allows (the entry ticket stings a little, let’s be honest), it is the ultimate upgrade to turn a good bike into a war machine.

Reserve 34|37 SL technical specifications:

• Rim depth: 34 mm (front) / 37 mm (rear)
• Weight: 1,140 g
• Internal width: 22.8 mm (front) / 22 mm (rear)
• Hubs: Tune Pico (7075-T6 aluminium body)
• Spokes: Vonoa Carbon (flat profile)
• Bearings: Tune standard
• Price: €3,499
• Accessories supplied: Fillmore valves, tubeless tape, 4 spare carbon spokes

Reserve 42|49 SL technical specifications:

• Rim depth: 42 mm (front) / 49 mm (rear)
• Weight: 1,290 g
• Internal width: 25.4 mm (front) / 24.8 mm (rear)
• Hubs: Tune Pico (7075-T6 aluminium body)
• Spokes: Vonoa Carbon (flat profile)
• Bearings: Tune standard
• Price: €3,499
• Accessories supplied: Fillmore valves, tubeless tape, 4 spare carbon spokes

Reserve 57|64 SL technical specifications:

• Rim depth: 42 mm (front) / 49 mm (rear)
• Weight: 1,470 g
• Internal width: 25.4 mm (front) / 24.4 mm (rear)
• Hubs: Tune Pico (7075-T6 aluminium body)
• Spokes: Vonoa Carbon (flat profile)
• Bearings: Tune standard
• Price: €3,499
• Accessories supplied: Fillmore valves, tubeless tape, 4 spare carbon spokes