Wheel(s) DUKE LUCKY JACK SLS5 / Sapim RC-1 Spokes

Lucky Jack SLS5 RC-1 Edition takes the DNA of our benchmark XC wheel into an even more exclusive build: from 952 g in 29 inches, with a clear focus on lightness, vibration filtering and precision.

Rather than a fixed single configuration, this product should be understood as a build platform. In 29 inches, 245 g, 285 g and 350 g rims can be selected for the front or rear wheel, as can 31 mm and 28 mm internal widths.

Our 6TERS recommendation remains the most coherent setup to exploit the potential of Lucky Jack SLS5: 31 mm internal width at the front to maximise grip, handling and confidence; 28 mm internal width at the rear to improve efficiency, stability and robustness.

For XC use, we recommend the 245 g front / 285 g rear build: the lightest and most reactive configuration. For aggressive XC, the 285 g front / 350 g rear build adds more margin, resistance and confidence on fast, rough or highly demanding terrain.

Since 2011, Lucky Jack has embodied our vision of the ultimate XC wheel: a blend of lightness, precision and performance, proven both on World Cup courses and on the most demanding rides.

The SLS5 generation pushes this approach further. At equivalent configuration, the rim is 10% lighter than the SLS4 generation and gains 15% more vertical compliance. The result is a more dynamic, more forgiving wheel that remains highly precise.

The SLS5 process combines an optimised carbon fibre layup with aerospace-grade resin. It improves resistance to lateral loads and vertical impacts while increasing vibration filtering.

SpokeCore forms the spoke passages directly by moulding, without drilling into the carbon. The structure remains more homogeneous, more reliable and better suited to light builds with high spoke tension.

ImpactGuard adds energy-absorbing inserts integrated into the rim. These inserts dissipate low- and high-intensity impacts without adding unnecessary weight.

DRC (Dynamic Response Comfort) controls vertical deformation and rebound: more grip under load, more comfort on rough terrain, less fatigue and a calmer bike when the course becomes chaotic.

AntiPinch bead lips help reduce the risk of tyre cuts on impacts, while the Hookless / Tubeless Ready design optimises tyre volume and allows lower pressures for more grip and control.

This RC-1 Edition combines Lucky Jack SLS5 rims with Sapim RC-1 textile spokes and DUKE MadMax3 Boost R55 hubs. The goal is not just to lower weight: it is to create a wheelset that filters vibrations better and remains precise under load.

The Sapim RC-1 uses a PBO (Zylon) textile structure. This material dissipates part of the micro-vibrations transmitted to the bike, while maintaining high lateral stiffness thanks to its 2.2 mm section and high build tension.

Its controlled elongation - around 0.52 mm at 1200 N - keeps it more direct than the softest textile spoke solutions. The wheel remains lively and stable, but less harsh and less physically demanding on long rides or irregular terrain.

DUKE MadMax3 Boost R55 hubs use a Round Head Ø 5.5 mm interface matched to the RC-1 spoke. They provide a robust and precise mechanical base for a very high-end XC build.

This RC-1 Edition is aimed at riders who want to choose their exact level of commitment: an ultralight build for pure XC performance, or a reinforced configuration for more aggressive courses, always with the vibration filtering, quietness and precision of Sapim RC-1.