When reserve carbon wheels first broke out onto the scene, they gave Danny MacAskill a pair to literally try and break. In spite of riding the carbon rim without a tire installed, the wheel proved impressively durable. Now, that same robust carbon engineering is expanding to the road side of things – this time with help from Cervelo.
How is Cervelo involved with a carbon wheel brand that started with Santa Cruz Bicycles? Years ago, a Dutch conglomerate by the name of Pon Holdings purchased the Cervelo brand. A few years later, they also purchased Santa Cruz Bicycles. With both brands under the same roof, it’s only natural that Cervelo lent their aerodynamic talents to Reserve to help create a line of deep profile road rims (and a deeper gravel rim).
As a result, the new road and gravel Reserve products will be launching exclusively on 2021 Cervelo bikes. Don’t worry though, they’ll also be available aftermarket shortly after the bikes are released.
For road, there are three new rim profiles with the Reserve 65, 50, and 35. The Reserve 32 is a new addition to the gravel line up which was started by Reserve in early 2019.
Reserve 65 Road (Rear)
The heavy weight of the road line is the new Reserve 65 – a 65mm deep tubeless ready rim. Measuring 21mm internally, the rim is most aerodynamic when used with a 25mm wide tire, but is “most comfortable” running a 28mm tire.
- Depth: 65mm
- Width: 21mm
- Weight: 520g (rim); 1673g (50/65 DT 240 set)
- Spokes: 24
- Price: $2,400 USD
Reserve 50 Road (Front & Rear)
Intended as a rear wheel, the 65 is meant to be paired with the Reserve 50 up front. Following the same naming convention, this is a 50mm deep profil that is also 21mm wide internally. All of the Reserve wheels and rims are tubeless ready – and preferred tubeless. Shipping with tape and tubeless valves, just add a tire and some sealant.
- Depth: 50mm
- Width: 21mm
- Weight: 490g (rim); 1638g (DT 240 set)
- Spokes: 24
- Price: $2,400 USD
Reserve 35 Road
For more of an all purpose wheelset, check out the Reserve 35. Measuring 35mm deep and 21mm internally, the rims are the lightest of the road line at 395g.
- Depth: 35mm
- Width: 21mm
- Weight: 395g (rim); 1449g (DT 240 set)
- Spokes: 24
- Price: $2,400 USD
Reserve 32 Gravel
When things get a bit more rough, Reserve is ready with a line of gravel wheels which already included the Reserve 22 and 25. New to the selection is the Reserve 32, marketed for gravel racing. The 32mm deep profile may provide some aero benefits, and the 24mm inner width is meant for 32mm and larger tires.
Even though the 32 is slightly shorter than the 35, it’s a big heavier due to the more robust construction to survive punishing gravel adventures. These will only be available in 700c, but if you’re looking for 650b, the Reserve 25 covers you there.
- Depth: 32mm
- Width: 24mm
- Weight: 410g (rim); 1515g (DT 240 set)
- Spokes: 24
- Price: $2,400 USD
All of the new Reserve road and gravel wheels use the same pricing structure and include hub options with DT Swiss 350 ($1800), 240 ($2400), and 180 hubs ($2800). They also include a full lifetime guarantee. That means if you ever break a wheel while riding, they’ll send a new one within 24 hours. Run over it with your car? Then you’ll be eligible for a low-cost crash replacement, also fulfilled quickly. Of course there is some fine print.
The wheels are now up on the new Reserve Wheels website below.
