Reserve 40I44: The Best Carbon Wheelset for My Crux, MOG and new Tarmac

[@outdoorbros_]

I LOVE this wheelset. No drama, no hassle, no limitations. What’s your favorite wheelset?

[@BrandonBuckley2015]

Where do you live in CA? Curious if your tire suggestion is coming form nor or socal terrain. Thanks!

[@osp1999]

Have you compared the 40/44 vs rapide clx2 on your sl8?

[@christopherhood9241]

great to see wheels with no loud advertising. like the review btw.

[@outdoorbros_]

Thanks! And yeah, totally agree about the understated nature of the wheels.

[@anthonylozano3645]

Make sure you get the Reserve fillmore valves. These are a game changer for easy tubeless setup and no more clogged valves.

[@outdoorbros_]

Yes! I need to get my hands on those.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Brilliant. Great points, well done.

[@gerryl8310]

Tres cool. I test rode a Cervélo R5 with these wheels and was impressed w/the ride quality. Now, having done a complete 180 turn from road bikes I'm 85% convinced I'm getting on the Crux train for 50/50 pavement to gravel ride and wouldn't have thought of these wheels for the crux instead opting for an Enve G23 or something similar. As always grateful for your reviews and thoughts. Enjoy France and the food there!

[@outdoorbros_]

Thank you! France was amazing. Those G23’s are built to take a beating. Great wheel!

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

You got me thinking about these 40/44 Reserves. I have 60 mm DTSwiss and Roval, both with 21mm inner width, and both make me nervous in strong crosswinds on descents above 30 mph. I run 28 and 30 mm tires and agree the fitment may make up aero performance of the reduced depth. Thanks for these things to consider..

[@kellrockets101]

I too have been trying to find that all around wheelset. I have the Light Bicycle AR 46 which is 21 internal, 29 external and 46 depth. Bombproof for road, crit racing, gravel racing...pretty much anything. Got em cheap with DT350 built on them. A good option with these wheels. Ive looked at these wheels too...great review!

[@outdoorbros_]

Thanks! They’re a solid set of wheels. Just rode them for a week in France and loved them.

[@robinseibel7540]

It's nice to see this video. I had chosen this exact wheelset for a custom frame being built, and this video makes me feel good about the choice and excited to throw a leg over the new bike and see how these wheels work on the road. They're gonna be shod with 30mm Conti GP5000 S-TRs.

[@outdoorbros_]

Thanks! I was on them today for 20 road miles and they’re fantastic.

[@jorgecalderon9678]

I also believe the tire/wheel interface is very important and often overlooked.

[@outdoorbros_]

Probably the most important aspect of selecting a wheel.

[@johnvormbaum3248]

Great review and I've had the same experience, I find myself swapping these back and forth from my road bike to my gravel bike. They're equally competent on the Diverge or the Tarmac. I'll probably pick up a 2nd set for convenience. One thing to add: Reserve's customer support is SPECTACULAR. I somehow broke my rear rim and they had a new one in my hands, no questions asked, in 24 hours. Bravo!

[@outdoorbros_]

That’s awesome! I have reached out to them with a few questions and they’ve been quick to respond and very friendly- that goes a long way with me.

[@johnarborio]

I had hookless rims and a few tires either burp or completely blow off the rims and yes they were the recommended tires. This might be a great option to get the wide rims with hooks for compatibility.

[@kellrockets101]

Just making sure I wasn't the only one who had this experience as well. I went back to hooked as well

[@outdoorbros_]

Yikes. That shouldn’t happen.

[@outdoorbros_]

Not good!

[@gaza4543]

Just bought some of these with the 350 hub, 350s because they’re a lot more user serviceable in regards to the ratchet rings, quiter to. But these wheels are absolutely ballistic, really quite surprising. Using mine with gp5000s tr. might actually try the tt versions in the summer

[@jwestpro]

yeah, i dont know exact pricing on the 40/44 but I'm looking at the 52/63 and the difference is $400 from 240 to 350 which is kind of nuts when, like you, i kind of prefer some aspects of the new 350 which is almost like a previous generation 240 so its really a hard sell to consider the 240 or even more wildly the 180.

[@gaza4543]

@@jwestprotbh I don’t see the need to go with 240s the only thing you’re gaining is ever so slightly lighter weight (not even a 100g). But the choice is yours. The wheels are a highly underrated brand

[@rgborget]

Oh man, I’d love to come join on a ride or two when you come to Utah!

[@outdoorbros_]

I’ll try to set something up!

[@jacobellis4389]

Just sold my Clx64 in favour of these wheels, excited to try them!

[@outdoorbros_]

Rad! I think you’ll like them. Just rode them for a week in France and they were exceptional.

[@mohamadjamil3164]

I think that the 40s are the sweet spot. The shallow wheels are great for handling, the deep ones just look perfect. I have two sets and would sacrifice handling for looks

[@outdoorbros_]

What would entice you to go more shallow than 40mm?

[@pascalo5119]

Great review as usual. I just picked up the same wheelset and was wondering about PSI on a 40mm tires . What’s your set up?

[@willemvandenbosch3992]

What do you think about this wheelset relative to the enve 45 ar? Awesome video as always

[@outdoorbros_]

Thanks! Both are good. 4.5’s are going to be a hair heavier but more aero, so maybe better for the flats. Then again, Tadej seems to be riding the 4.5’s all over the place and crushing it.

[@brianstein406]

The specs on these are very good. I like the 25 IW and I use dt Swiss hubs on my disc wheels. I do like hookless but the price point on these makes a strong argument to forgo that benefit for these if I were buying wheels in this depth. I would note that many of the favorite road tires are now hookless compatible so lack of choice is not much of an issue any more. Also gravel tires run at low pressure so enve basically says you can run any tubeless gravel tire with the Ag25 including the Conti terraspeeds. I don’t think hooks provide any major benefit unless you want to use tubes (which I don’t )

[@outdoorbros_]

I’m in the same boat- my favorite tires have been the 5000 TL’s, which are now hookless compatible with the S TR’s. The Reserves have been a fantastic wheelset and the price point is exceptional.

[@maxMax-ns9pg]

I’d love to hear your reasons against hookless rims, honestly just curious

[@outdoorbros_]

I mentioned some of them.

[@MG-iv8oo]

i just ordered same ie 40/44 with the 180's. i have been running the new clx II roval alpinists with the 180's and they are great wheels paired with my sw aethos. will be interesting to see if i keep both (ie "reserve" the alpinists for more pure climbing days/events) or just cash out in favor of the 40/44's. question: is there a gap between the spokes at their cross over point on the reserve's or do the spokes touch? one reason i upgraded from the alpinist clx to the clx II is the new 180 hubs on the clx II leaves a gap which eliminates the tendency of the spokes to make noise under power when they get dirty. thx chris!

[@jonathan_guerrero]

Hey man, New to your channel, great videos. Have you had a chance to ride Enves 3.4s? If so, would you still choose these and why? Thanks in advance.

[@outdoorbros_]

Thanks! I haven’t ridden them, but have ridden the 2.3’s and 4.5’s. I’m sure they’re a great all-around depth.

[@jonathan_guerrero]

​@@outdoorbros_ Thank you. This might be a hard question to answer then, but if the reserves were the same depth as the enve 4.5s, do you think you'd have a clear winner then?

[@mysho6317]

Thanks for the video. Given the 25 IW, did You try wider than 28 Road tires? - wondered if a 30 or 32 would have an even better shape when mounted. Thanks in advance.😎

[@outdoorbros_]

I did! I rode 30mm Vittoria Corsa Pro tires in France on these wheels (great combo). They measured to around 32mm or 33mm if I remember correctly.

[@mysho6317]

@@outdoorbros_Thanks for the Quick Reply & info. Don't know if You subscribe to the Tire Width x 1.05 = minimum External Wheel width to obtain aero benefit. I was also concerned how a 28 would be with 25 IW (seems more off-road IW) Hoping Reserve would have a "promo" of some sort in the near future on the 40/44s Thanks Again

[@garagesale5948]

Have you tried the Terra CLX II or Berd Sparrow Carbon Gravel Wheels?

[@cliffy232323]

Did you try out the 34/37 version? Any comments on comparing the 40/44 to those would be appreciated.

[@outdoorbros_]

I haven’t, just the 40/44’s. Although after riding shallow wheels for a few weeks now, I wouldn’t hesitate to go slightly more shallow if that’s what you’re considering.

[@changpark5518]

I thought about getting those, but the internal/external width were bit narrower than 40/44

[@petersouthernboy6327]

I can't think of a higher performance hub than the DT Swiss 180.

[@outdoorbros_]

It’s been a fantastic hub, 10/10.

[@plain-bagel]

Have you tried the Reserve 25 GRs? They’re stock on one of the new Santa Cruz Stigmata builds I’m considering. Trying to decide if they’re worth upgrading the build tier

[@outdoorbros_]

I haven’t, if they’re anything like the 40/44’s, they’ll be great.

[@6SpeedsGood]

I bought the GR25’s for my gravel bike and love them. Bulletproof and super light. I ride a lot of hilly stuff and aero is not a concern for that so the 25’s were perfect. The Fillmore valves are fantastic for sealant management and you can make cool micro-pressure adjustments with them. I’m currently doing a custom Soloist build and have settled on the 40/44, one because I want hooks to run tubes, but also I am super impressed by my 25’s. They may not look super flashy, but they deliver. Also, the lifetime warranty on Reserve is just one more big benefit.

[@danflanagan9536]

nice review, can you clarify what you mean by stiffening up the crux's ride? Isn't it quite a stiff frame as it is?

[@outdoorbros_]

The crux has a little give to absorb some of the gravel chatter, imo. Might just be my size, but I notice it on hard, out of the saddle efforts.

[@grantventer]

Quick question - Crux or MOG or Factor gravel?

[@outdoorbros_]

Depends on the use!

[@peters8504]

I recently got the exact wheelset with dt180. I was surprised that they don’t free-spin that long (back wheel, on a stand). I compare them to my Princeton 60/65 which free spin probably 2x as long. Any thoughts?

[@robinseibel7540]

How long a wheel spins in the stand is really irrelevant to how it works on the road. What you're seeing with the wheel spinning in the stand is a tiny bit of friction from bearing grease and maybe bearing seals. The small bit of friction that it takes to bring that wheel to a stop is insignificant on the road. The Princeton wheel hubs may have a thinner bearing grease or even less grease and also may have different or no bearing seals.

[@outdoorbros_]

This is a great answer- better than I could have given.

[@outdoorbros_]

The answer below is really good. I’d worry more about it under load and also, I’ve found that hubs break in over time.

[@robinseibel7540]

@@outdoorbros_ Thanks!

[@michaelheckel9857]

What is the advantage to the Enve 3.4 ar disc?

[@outdoorbros_]

I think they’re very similar. If I remember correctly, the 40/44 might be slightly wider in front. It would probably boil down to hookless vs hooked and price.

[@s2200honda]

I’ve watched all your crux videos many times. All excellent! My terra speed 40 tires arrived today and I’m thinking about wheels. How much of your love of this wheel is the 180 hub versus if you got the 350 hubs? What do you notice as differences against the 303s with the same tires? Thanks!

[@outdoorbros_]

Good question and I tried to differentiate between them. I know the 180 hub is top notch, but I felt the same stiff characteristics on my reserve 32’s a while back. I just like the way Reserve wheels feel- very well mannered.

[@enriquel.torres5291]

Nice video, I know they say up to 40… but do you think they will work with 42 pathfinder pro?

[@culibas]

I believe they actually go up to 50mm. so yes! 42 pathfinder will work!

[@peace1375]

Hello I have Specialized Aethos Expert, i need your advice for best power meter to install in my bike . Thanks

[@outdoorbros_]

I’ve been pleased with quarq and stages.

[@TheEmpeperor]

Max tire clearance for reserve 40/44?

[@mlamz]

How are the reserve wheels for ease of mounting of tight tires?

[@outdoorbros_]

Excellent. Just mounted my gravel tires back onto them today. So easy.

[@rafacycle]

Hi how they compare to 40/44 GR? Reserve did respond me that recommended tire for your version is up to 40mm however they don’t know why 😂 they don’t know if it is because of aero gains or safety. Do you know if I can put 50mm tire ? I mean I have 25mm internal in my MTB, why they only recommend 30-40mm tire ? Thanks

[@mohamadjamil3164]

Agree on the hookless matter

[@outdoorbros_]

It’s kind of a nuisance, isn’t it?

[@FooFahFoeFum]

I might have missed this. Do these wheels work with clincher tires?

[@outdoorbros_]

Yes, they do.

[@pimw7235]

I have a set of Reserve wheels and they suck. I've broken a couple of spokes within half a year. And now Reserve is not at home. The ' life time warranty' is a joke.

[@outdoorbros_]

Sorry to hear. I haven’t had those issues- they’ve been bulletproof.

[@smau990]

Hooked rim would be more complicated to manufacture ie. more expensive and potentially weaker. Seems that it only limits using the very narrowest tyres, which is irrelevant for me. So I'll rather take hookless.

[@outdoorbros_]

Interesting take. I suppose they both have pros and cons.

[@changpark5518]

I agree 100%, but tubeless tire standard is not quite ready yet….

[@crack0n]

Just normal dude...sl7 s-works, crux s-works , enve mob 😂😂😂😂.... That's anything but normal ✌️😅

[@outdoorbros_]

Ha! I’ve cycled through most of them at this point. Only a few left.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Hookless... agreed. I call it a scam... benefits for the wheel maker... anti-benefits for the rider.