Introduced last year, Race Face's Era lineup stands for one thing — compliance. With bendy carbon tech built into a handlebar and wheels aimed at enduro riding, the brand is set to please those who seek comfort in a lightweight package. Say hello to the Race Face Era SL wheelset, hoops that are designed for cross-country and trail riding.

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Race Face's Era SL wheelset is built especially for smaller bikes, following something of a 'renaissance' of 120mm to 140mm rigs. However, it's unlikely that those riders will want to be carrying about the weight of the regular Era wheelset.

2025 race face era sl rear.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The Era SL is set to be nothing short of modern. It features a 22mm rim depth along with a reasonably wide 29mm internal width, which is said to make an excellent home for up to 2.6in wide rubber. As for the weight, Race Face claims that it's the brand's lightest rim to date, coming in at 385g. Admitting that it's not the lightest rim about, the brand states that it aimed for a competitive weight but without sacrificing durability.

The total wheel weight with a six-bolt brake mount is claimed to weigh 1,530g, and while there's not a centrelock option just yet, the (due in autumn) centrelock mount drops 50g off of that weight.

2025 race face era sl rim close.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The Era range is known for compliance, and Race Face reckons that XC riders want that too. With that, it's said that this wheelset boasts 8.6% more lateral compliance than the regular Era wheels. That's to help stave off fatigue while riding those shorter-travel mountain bikes.

Rolling on the Vault hubs, the Era SL boasts a three-degree engagement built into an oversized shell that can house large diameter, 6902 bearings to boost the hub's lifespan. It's then compatible with Microspline, XD, or HG freehub bodies. Those hubs are laced to the rim via 28 spokes at the front and rear, which use a 3mm spoke offer for improved tension and balance.

Backed bike Race Face's lifetime warranty that includes crashes, the Era SL wheelset is available in 29in only, it's rated up to 130kg, and it's not certified to be bolted on to e-mountain bikes.

As for pricing, expect to spend €1,748.

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