It seems to be like gravel wheels are about to get even wider. The brand new Reserve 40|44 GR wheels are 27.4mm/27.mm large. That’s the inner width, not exterior. That makes them wider than some present XC mountain bike wheels, although that kinda is smart with how gravel bikes are being ridden as of late.
Reserve states that the added width permits the edges to accommodate tires as much as 50mm large, with the beneficial tire vary listed as 30-50mm in width.
Extra than simply being tremendous large, the 40|44 GR claims to be tremendous aero as properly. Whereas Reserve was based by Santa Cruz Bicycles in 2014, they’ve regularly made their means from MTB, to gravel, to Professional Tour street racing with Crew Jumbo Visma in 2022. On condition that Santa Cruz / Reserve and Cervelo at the moment are each owned by PON, the collaboration is smart and it has allowed the 2 very distinctive manufacturers to work on a unifying mission – aerodynamics.
Utilizing what they name “unique Turbulent Aero wind tunnel testing,” the Reserve 40|44 GR form was validated with simulated real-world airflow. They go into extra element right here, however it appears that evidently the wind tunnel can create turbulence that you’d sometimes solely see in a real-world surroundings, which helped them create a rim profile that’s quick in the true world, not simply within the wind tunnel.
The result’s a wheelset with barely completely different profiles. The entrance is a 40mm depth with a 27.2mm inner width, whereas the rear is a bit taller and narrower at 44mm deep and 27mm inner. Externally, the edges measure 36/34.4mm large, and each run 24 straight pull spokes. These spoke holes are internally bolstered to withstand pull-out with particularly engineered carbon plies that Reserve has developed over years of constructing carbon rims for mountain bikes.
Quite than use a hookless design, Reserve makes use of what they’re calling “semi-hooked”. There’s a particular lip across the fringe of the rim, and it permits the edges to supply an 80 psi most stress which appears fairly excessive for a rim this large meant for gravel bikes.
The 40|44 GR wheels are solely supplied in a single construct with a Centerlock DT Swiss 350 EXP hub set with a 36t ratchet. On the time of launch, they’re supplied with HG or XDR freehub choices. Meaning for those who’re working the brand new Shimano GRX 12 pace 1x group, you’ll should buy a Microspline freehub individually. Be aware that the brand new Shimano GRX 12 pace group is cut up on its freehub use – 2x teams nonetheless use HG freehubs, whereas 1x use the Microspline.
Reserve 40|44 GR Precise Weight
With claimed weights of 425g and 445g for the edges, the whole wheels test in at 684g for the entrance and 791g for the rear. These weights are with tape and the included Fillmore valves put in, so it appears the wheels are properly inside the claimed weight of 1444g for the set.
Reserve 40|44 GR Preliminary Evaluation
Reserve despatched over a set of the brand new wheels, and I used to be excited to test them out – primarily as a result of I needed to see what driving a rim this large would really feel like on a gravel bike. Out of the field, the rim tape on each wheels wanted some consideration. One wheel had the valve gap punched within the tape so it was an oval that the Fillmore valves wouldn’t seal. The opposite had the tip of the tape lifting up, so each rims required some further tape to be added to supply an air-tight seal. We’ve seen comparable points on different model wheels occasionally, so it’s not a Reserve particular problem. Simply make sure to examine your tape earlier than putting in the tires and valves, and if there’s a difficulty Reserve will assist you to out.
I used to be additionally planning to run these wheels on a motorcycle with a GRX 12-speed 1x drivetrain which required a Microspline freehub. As talked about above, Reserve isn’t providing a Microspline possibility but, so I sourced my very own. It was a straightforward swap, and the hubs had been able to go.
It’s nonetheless fairly moist outdoors, so I opted to put in some WTB Raddler 700c x 44mm tires I had available. Whereas the primary tire bead was just a little tight to put in, the second bead went on simpler with out instruments. With some sealant within the tire, the beads seated very simply, instantly sealing with none further effort.
Once I’ve used the Raddlers beforehand, they’ve by no means fairly measured a real 44mm. However on the 40|44 GR wheels, they measured 44mm virtually instantly. One factor is for certain, rims this large will influence the form of narrower tires. On the Raddlers, the tread finally ends up pretty flat, with the widest level of the tire being the sidewall by a big margin.
On my first few rides, the 40|44 GR wheels are straightforward to like. For my part, the Raddlers aren’t a very quick tire, particularly on pavement. But when mounted to the Reserve wheels, they really feel quicker than I bear in mind. Coupled with the carbon rims, the experience high quality is incredible – which is just accentuated by the quiet freehub of the DT Swiss hubs. I don’t thoughts loud freehubs on the mountain bike, however on the street or gravel, I discover the louder hubs extra intrusive.
I can’t say that the wheels felt notably aero, however the sense of pace and stability appears to strengthen Reserve’s claims. Contemplating that these wheels are assured for all times with free replacements, I’d not hesitate to purchase these for every day use although they’re the right possibility on your subsequent gravel race.
