Test ride of the Reserve 42/49: the wide-body road version.

With the 42/49, Reserve applies its Turbulent Aero philosophy to a wheelset originally designed to tackle a variety of terrain, from cobblestones to mountain stages. A differentiated profile, generous width, and stability-oriented design: how do these wheels really perform on asphalt when equipped with DT Swiss 240 hubs? We tested them on two different bikes to reach a verdict on the road.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Within the Reserve lineup, the 42/49 occupy a unique position. They are neither a pair of pure road wheels—like certain models with a constant profile around 45 or 50 mm—nor a pair of wheels dedicated to gravel riding. They sit in an in-between zone that the California brand owns: wheelsets that squeeze every last watt of aerodynamic efficiency while still swallowing wide tyres, without giving up any dynamic ability. This makes them the model of choice for the riders of the Visma | Lease a Bike teams, whether on the cobblestones of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, on the white roads of Strade Bianche, or even on certain medium-altitude mountain passes.

Compared to the competition, the Reserve 42/49 stands alongside models such as the Zipp 303 Firecrest, the ENVE SES 3.4, and the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V. All share a modern approach to wide rims, designed for 28- to 32-mm tyres. The Reserve models, however, stand out for their distinct front- and rear-specific profiles, as well as their particularly generous outer width. While some rivals prioritise responsiveness and lightness, the 42/49 models opt for a more stable and forgiving ride, even if that means straying slightly from the standards of pure competition wheels.

Weighing approximately 1,400 g in this version equipped with DT Swiss 240 hubs, the Reserve 42/49 fall within the average range, without standing out. They are also available with DT 350 hubs, weighing 1,480 g, or with DT 180 hubs, weighing 1,340 g. Designed for tubeless tyres with a width of at least 29 mm, and taking into account the higher weight of these tyres as well as the sealant, they don’t set any records in their category.

A technical design focused on stability

The Reserve 42/49 is based on a simple but uncommon concept: a 42-mm-high front rim paired with a 49-mm-high rear rim. The idea is to boost front-end directional stability while keeping aerodynamic efficiency at the rear, where handling demands are less critical. On paper, this asymmetry fits modern road riding, especially on hilly, wind-exposed terrain. It’s worth noting, however, that Roval, with its new Rapide CLX III wheels, has opted for the opposite approach: a taller front rim to maximize aerodynamics and a shorter rear rim to balance the bike’s overall stability while slightly reducing weight.

The rim’s internal width—25.4 mm front and 24.8 mm rear—significantly exceeds historical road standards, letting the tires run with a larger effective cross-section, a rounder profile, and better lateral support. The outer width, which exceeds 34 mm, is designed to work optimally with 30- to 32-mm tires—a practice that is becoming increasingly common on the road today, even among competitive cyclists. For example, the Vittoria Corsa Pro 700×30 front tire mounted on these wheels actually has an effective width of about 32 mm. This difference is starting to make itself felt on the road.

The carbon construction follows Reserve’s signature principles, with a layup designed for durability and deformation control rather than maximum stiffness. The spokes are laced with external nuts, a practical choice that facilitates maintenance and tension adjustments. The wheels come tubeless-ready out of the box, with rim tape already installed and the brand’s signature Fillmore valves, known for their airtight seal and high airflow.

In this configuration with DT Swiss 240 hubs, the weight remains within the norm for a wheelset this wide and tall, while offering the reliability and smoothness of the Ratchet system. These aren’t ultralight wheels, but they form a cohesive set, perfectly suited for modern, demanding road riding.

Stability, comfort, and controlled performance

Compared to most wheels with an average profile of 40 to 50 mm, the Reserve 42/49 offer a very distinct sense of stability. At high speeds, especially on rolling terrain or slight downhills, they inspire great confidence. Their behavior in crosswinds is one of their strengths: even in erratic gusts, the front wheel remains predictable, without sudden reactions or constant corrections at the handlebars. This is a real advantage for those who often ride in windy conditions or on long rides at a steady pace.

I tested the Reserve 42/49 wheelset on a Cervélo R5 immediately after riding the stock Reserve 34/37 wheelset, which is more geared toward mountain riding. The 42/49s are significantly heavier in this configuration (about 250 g more), but they perform better on flat terrain, providing the bike with positive inertia. Nevertheless, in my opinion, they remain slightly more susceptible to crosswinds than low-profile rims: after all, you can’t defy the laws of physics forever.

In terms of pure performance, the 42/49 wheelset doesn’t offer extreme stiffness or lightning-fast responsiveness. Instead, they prioritize maintaining cruising speed once you’re up and running. On flat terrain and slight uphills, the 49-mm rear wheel provides noticeable inertia that helps propel the bike forward, while the front wheel remains neutral and easy to position. Compared to narrower, stiffer wheels, acceleration is slightly less sharp. This sensation stems mainly from the wider tyres, which are less inflated and therefore more supple in contact with the road, as well as from their weight, which makes accelerations a bit less sharp. Comfort is another major advantage of these wheels. With wider tyres, the Reserve 42/49 effectively filters out road imperfections. This is particularly noticeable on the Cervélo R5, a lightweight and stiff bike that is normally equipped with 26-mm tyres on narrower rims. With the 42/49s, the bike feels smoother and more fluid, offering an ideal balance between comfort and inertia, thereby enhancing its versatility. This ability to smooth out the road also reduces fatigue on long rides, while maintaining excellent cornering stability. The lateral support from the wide tyres lets you tackle fast corners with confidence, without any feeling of instability. On climbs, the weight and inertia of the 42/49 remain noticeable, especially on the R5 when compared to lighter wheelsets designed specifically for climbing. On the Specialized Allez, which is heavier and naturally more stable, the difference in handling compared to the Zipp 353 NSW (also equipped with wide tyres) is less pronounced.

Wheels that are smooth on the road and easy to control

The Reserve 42/49, equipped with DT Swiss 240 hubs, don’t aim to be elitist or radical. They offer a modern take on performance, where stability, comfort, and aerodynamic efficiency take precedence over pure responsiveness. For riders who use wide tires—which are often exposed to the wind—and who prioritize consistency over time rather than explosive bursts of speed, this pair stands out as a credible alternative to the competition’s high-end wheels.

The Reserve 42/49 are wheelsets with character, designed for the real world, that fully embody the brand’s technical choices—all while being offered at a price point that, while not exactly affordable, has the good sense not to reach the stratosphere.

The Reserve 42/49 at a glance…

Pros: stability, rolling performance, comfort, finish Cons: not as lightweight with wide-section tires

Tire and tubeless-compatible wheels – Rim height: front 42 mm, rear 49 mm – Rim width: internal 25.4 mm (front wheel), 24.6 mm (rear wheel), outer 34.4 mm (rear), 32.1 mm (rear) – Spokes: 24 front/rear – Hubs: DT Swiss 240 – Freehub body: DT Swiss Ratchet EXP (36T) – Brake disc mount: Centerlock – Weight: 1,400 g per pair – Price: €2,299 per pair (€1,799 with DT 350 hubs, €2,799 with DT 180 hubs) – Shimano HG and SRAM XRD cassette bodies – Unlimited lifetime warranty – Contact: reservewheels.com