Reserve Wheels 40/44 GR

The Reserve 40/44 GR wheelset is a purpose-built gravel performance system developed to meet the demands of modern gravel racing and high-speed mixed-terrain riding. Designed around real-world gravel conditions rather than traditional road assumptions, the 40/44 GR combines aerodynamic efficiency, stability in crosswinds, precise handling, and impact durability into one highly refined package.

Unlike many gravel wheels that simply adapt road rim profiles to wider tires, the 40/44 GR was engineered specifically around modern gravel tire sizes and riding speeds. The wheelset uses a mixed-depth design with a shallower 40mm front wheel and deeper 44mm rear wheel, optimizing both handling and aerodynamic performance. The slightly shallower front improves steering stability and rider confidence in rough terrain and crosswinds, while the deeper rear maximizes aerodynamic efficiency and power transfer where stability matters less. This balanced approach gives the wheelset a planted, predictable ride feel even at high speeds on loose surfaces.

Reserve developed the rims using extensive CFD analysis and real-world testing with gravel tires ranging from approximately 35mm to 50mm. The wider internal width is specifically tuned for high-volume gravel tires, helping create a more stable tire profile, increased sidewall support, and improved cornering precision at lower pressures. The result is a wheelset that feels fast on pavement but remains controlled and confidence-inspiring when the terrain becomes rough, loose, or unpredictable.

Aerodynamically, the 40/44 GR is optimized around actual gravel tire widths rather than narrow road tires. Many deeper gravel wheels lose aerodynamic efficiency once larger tires are installed, but the Reserve profile is shaped to maintain airflow stability with modern gravel rubber. This allows riders to benefit from aerodynamic gains even with 40–45mm tires, which is increasingly important as gravel race speeds continue to rise.

Durability is another major focus of the design. Gravel riding places significantly higher impact loads on wheels than road riding, especially during racing or aggressive descending. Reserve uses reinforced carbon layups and asymmetrical rim shaping to improve impact resistance and spoke tension balance without making the wheels overly harsh or heavy. The rims are also designed to better dissipate impact forces from rocks, washboard, and square-edge hits while maintaining excellent lateral stiffness for sprinting and climbing.

The wheelset is fully tubeless-ready and built around hookless-compatible rim technology, allowing riders to safely run lower tire pressures for improved traction, comfort, and rolling efficiency. Lower pressures not only increase grip and compliance, but can actually improve speed on rough gravel by reducing vibration losses and rider fatigue over long distances.

Reserve’s proprietary rim bed design also simplifies tubeless setup and improves tire retention, helping create a more secure and reliable seal across a wide range of gravel tires. Internal nipples are paired with high-quality spokes and premium hub options to maximize long-term reliability and ease of service.

One of the defining ride characteristics of the 40/44 GR is how balanced it feels across varying terrain. On pavement, the wheels accelerate quickly and hold speed efficiently with a smooth, damped ride quality. On rough gravel, they maintain tracking precision and composure without feeling overly rigid or nervous. During fast descents and sweeping corners, the wheelset remains stable and predictable, even in gusty conditions where deeper wheels can become difficult to control.

This versatility makes the 40/44 GR suitable not only for elite gravel racing, but also for endurance events, adventure riding, mixed-surface road riding, and high-performance all-road setups.

Key Features / Technical Details

• Purpose-built gravel performance wheelset
• Mixed-depth rim design: 40mm front / 44mm rear
• Aerodynamically optimized for modern gravel tire widths
• Designed around 35mm–50mm tires
• Wide internal rim width improves tire support and cornering stability
• Hookless-compatible tubeless-ready rim design
• Reinforced carbon construction for gravel impact durability
• Optimized crosswind stability and predictable handling
• Asymmetrical rim shaping for improved spoke tension balance
• Designed for lower tire pressure performance and efficiency
• Compatible with modern gravel and all-road drivetrains

Technical Specifications

• Rim depths: 40mm front / 44mm rear
• Internal width: approximately 27mm
• Rim material: carbon fiber
• Tubeless-ready: yes
• Rim type: hookless-compatible
• Recommended tire range: approximately 35c–50c
• Wheelset weight: approximately 1350–1450g depending on hub configuration
• Axle compatibility: 12x100 front / 12x142 rear
• Brake type: centerlock disc

Performance Characteristics

• Excellent aerodynamic efficiency with larger gravel tires
• Stable in crosswinds compared to deeper gravel wheelsets
• Fast acceleration with strong lateral stiffness under power
• Smooth, damped ride quality on rough terrain
• Improved tire stability at lower pressures
• High impact resistance for aggressive gravel riding and racing

The Reserve 40/44 GR is designed for riders who want a no-compromise gravel wheelset that delivers road-like speed without sacrificing control, comfort, or durability. Whether racing high-speed gravel events, riding long mixed-surface adventures, or building an elite all-road machine, the 40/44 GR offers a refined balance of aerodynamics, compliance, and confidence across virtually every type of terrain.