Interesting. What made the XMCS 65/78 noodly at the back, what did you pick that you would pick differently?
And do you have a theory as to why crosswinds is elite / peter / reserve in that order? Rim shape?
On the 65/78 I chose the ultralight hubs and 3.2mm carbon spokes. It wasn't noodly all the time, just specific sprinting into climbs or sharp corners. When I pushed on the rim it moved really easily and from what I could discern, it was at the hub where most of the movement was. I could make the disc touch the pads without too much effort. That translated into the back end feeling quite loose.
But, I'll also caveat that with the fact that I'm 92kg. I sold them on to a lighter rider and he's more than happy with them. It was me getting gram greedy. I'm debating on getting another set of the 65/78 but with either Ti or 3.8mm carbon spokes.
As for the front wheel stability on the wheel sets, I'd put it down to the rim shape and how the tyre interacts with it at certain wind angles. The Reserves are only affected when the wind is coming at a specific angle from the side, a bit more than 45 degrees I'd estimate. And it has to be pretty hard gusts. So it's not that often it happens, but it happens. And it's not ripping the bars from your hands but can surprise you.
I bought the Reserves first and loved them but to be honest they ride pretty dead. One of my favourite rides has a lot of corners and junctions and when you sprint or first start off, the Reserves feel heavy and they are very stiff. So I looked for something the same but lighter. The XMCS 58/65 with Ti spokes jumped out at me. Lighter than the Reserves by a long way and the Ti spokes have that little bit more give in them. It's not a magic carpet ride but when we hit the gravel parts of some rides you can tell then. They ride light too. I love them.
The Drive SL SS58 were an impulse buy (I do that a LOT) when they did a 18% discount with wheel bags (best wheel bags I've had). The front 36mm wide rim intrigued me and the rear hub with the ratchet and hub carrier made as one in Ti. On my first ride with the Drive SL I broke PBs that I'd been hunting for years. There's just something confidence inspiring about them. If I were buying them again though I'd probably go for the carbon spokes for that weight saving and crisper power transfer.
The Drive SL really punch above their price tag, especially when you stack them up against the Reserves that are over 2x the price and over 100g heavier.
Out of all my wheels I'd go for the XMCS first. I think they are more suited to a wider range of tyre sizes, they're lighter and slightly more forgiving which is a big bonus on UK roads.
