Another +1 on the Reynolds... with all do respect from first responder from Pennsylvania. I owned the '09 variety for a year and they were great wheels. A big improvement on any other aluminum clincher I had in the past. Very stiff laterally (I never was able to 'hit the pads' although I did with my aluminum clinchers). At the time I was living in the big mountains of Costa Brava region of Spain (long 50-60 minute ascents, fun descents).. in July and August when air temperature is +30c. At the time, the best (lowest heat generating) break pads where Swiss Stop Yellows. They worked great. I was able to find one small imperfection on the breaking surface and was able to warranty the wheel (Reynolds customer service is great). I ended up eBaying the new wheel. I still have the rear. With Reynolds Cyro Blue Pads the performance is even better and the temperatures are much lower.
In 2011, the braking surface on several top-end Reynolds wheelsets changed. They were heavier but a bit more resilient to overheating. The braking was slightly better, but a good chunk of that was the result of the Reynolds Cyro Blue Pads ... much better than the Swiss Stop Yellows. The 'top end' clinchers gained 120 grams however.
Would I buy a older Reynolds wheelset from before the brake track change? Yes
Would I run Swiss Stop Yellows down a 5km -20% grade snaking descent @ 32degrees C sprinkled with gravel? No.
Would I run older Reynolds with the Blue pads down the same descent and air temperature? I just might.
So yes, I did have an older Reynolds rim fail, but I attribute most of it to the conditions (once in a lifetime descent) + the higher temperature yielding Swiss Stop Yellow pads and it happened.
Great wheels. If on a budget, jump.
Knowing what I know now, I'd actually seek out a pre-2011 Reynolds rim since they are light and very true and resilient ... and run the new blue pads... and try to stay away from any descent where you are going 15kpm with your butt over the rear wheel so you don't flip over the bars and say "this feels like mountain biking".
Mine did fine plenty big 'normal' road descents in the Alps, Pyrenees, Spain, and Austria. I've ridden in the Pennsylvania mountains before and it's really nothing to write or comment about.
Great wheel. The Assault isn't the lightest in the Reynolds repertoire during that time period (DV series, especially the DV UL series) but it's a top wheelset even to this day. Also seek out deals on the 'Forty-Six' (in
Tubular for around $1199)or '
Sixty Six' around $1299.
But to me the real gem is the 'DV46 UL' wheel ( or the shallower and lighter version)