Reserve 40|44 GR DT Swiss 350 Disc Brake Wheelset

Reserve Wheels was founded within the Santa Cruz Bicycles family with a clear mandate: build better carbon wheels using precision engineering and back them without compromise — every Reserve wheel carries a lifetime guarantee. The Reserve 40|44 GR DT Swiss 350 Disc Brake Wheelset is the brand's fastest gravel-specific option, designed for drop-bar off-road riders where aerodynamic performance is a real variable. The 40|44 GR targets competitive gravel racers and serious mixed-terrain riders who want a wheel that reduces drag on open roads and exposed climbs without the handling instability that typically comes with deep-section front wheels on unpredictable surfaces.

The core engineering decision here is the mixed-depth profile: a 40mm front rim paired with a 44mm rear. Reserve arrived at this asymmetric setup by optimizing each position separately. The shallower front delivers better crosswind stability and handling confidence on the variable terrain and exposed conditions that define gravel racing. The deeper rear maximizes aerodynamic return where it contributes most to overall speed — the rear wheel sees less steering input and can run deeper without compromising handling. The result is a wheel that offers meaningful aero efficiency over shallow-profile gravel options without the tradeoffs of a symmetric deep-section front. On a long gravel race with stretches of exposed pavement and sections of loose or technical dirt, that front-rear split is the difference between a wheel you can push hard and one you're constantly managing.

The carbon rims are built for modern wide-tire use. The front runs 27.4mm inner width with a 36mm external profile; the rear is 27mm inner and 34.4mm external. That inner width supports tires from 30 to 50mm, covering fast race-day setups and heavier bikepacking configurations alike. The semi-hooked rim works with tubeless or clincher tires; Reserve includes Fillmore valves and pre-installed rim tape in the box, so there's nothing to source separately before heading out. The asymmetric rear rim offset of 2.7mm equalizes spoke tension across drive and non-drive sides, contributing to long-term wheel durability under sustained load. Reserve reinforces the spoke holes internally at the nipple interface — the highest-stress zone in any carbon rim — concentrating material where failure actually occurs rather than adding weight across the full rim cross section. Individual rim weights are 400g for the 40mm front and 425g for the 44mm rear.

The DT Swiss 350 hub brings a strong track record for durability and serviceability to the build. It uses DT Swiss's Ratchet DEG system with 90 teeth and a 4-degree engagement angle — quick, precise pickup that makes a tangible difference when accelerating out of technical corners or surging over loose, steep climbs. The 350 is heavier than Reserve's premium DT 180 option: the full wheelset weighs 1,454g with DT 350 hubs, compared to 1,376g with the DT 180. But the 350's real advantage is longevity and ease of maintenance. Ratchets, axle components, and freehub bodies are widely available and simple to service — an important consideration for a wheel intended to accumulate serious kilometers across multiple seasons. XDR and HG-EV freehub options cover both SRAM AXS and Shimano 11/12-speed drivetrains. Hub spacing is 12x100mm front and 12x142mm rear thru-axle, with a centerlock disc interface.

The 40|44 GR is built for riders who want one high-performance wheelset that covers race day and full-season training without compromise. Reserve backs it with a lifetime guarantee — no time limit, no fine print. For a carbon gravel wheel built to absorb sustained vibration, rough-surface chatter, and occasional impacts over thousands of kilometers, that guarantee removes a meaningful layer of ownership risk. At $1,799 with DT Swiss 350 hubs, the wheelset sits significantly below the DT 180 version at $2,499, while sharing the same rim geometry, internal construction, and lifetime coverage. For most riders — and especially those who log high annual mileage on variable terrain — the 350-hub build is the stronger long-term value.