Reserve Launches Its New Gravel 48|53 GR Wheels

“Only the first step counts.” With this philosophy in mind, Reserve presents its new 48|53 GR wheelset, designed to meet the growing demands of modern gravel riding: speed, aerodynamic efficiency, and the ability to handle the most challenging terrain.

Source: Press Release

Already put to the test at the highest level, the new Reserve wheels made a remarkable debut at the Marly Grav Race, a round of the UCI Gravel World Series. On that occasion, Wout van Aert secured their first victory by winning after a 22-kilometer solo breakaway.

A design tailored for competitive gravel racing

With their differentiated profile—48 mm in the front and 53 mm in the rear—the new Reserve 48|53 GR wheels strike a balance between stability, efficiency, and aerodynamics. They are aimed at riders seeking performance, whether in fast gravel races, long-distance events, or race-oriented rides.

Their design was developed with the specific demands of modern gravel riding in mind, where tires are getting wider and terrain creates greater resistance for the wheels.

An internal width of 30 mm to maximize traction

The Reserve 48|53 GR features a generous internal width of 30 mm, designed to accommodate wide gravel tires ranging from 40 to 57 mm.

This width allows the tire to maintain a more balanced shape and provide better lateral support. The result: greater precision in corners, improved traction on technical sections, and increased stability when the terrain becomes uneven.

Wider, hollow spokes for greater lightness and strength

The new generation of wheels also features a major advancement with widened hollow spoke technology. This design reduces weight at the wheel’s periphery while maintaining a high level of durability.

The resulting flat section widens the contact area during impacts and helps reduce the risk of pinch flats—a particularly valuable benefit in gravel riding, where impacts are frequent.

The fastest all-terrain wheels ever designed by Reserve

Like the entire Reserve lineup, the 48|53 GR wheels were developed through extensive wind tunnel testing to optimize every aerodynamic detail.

The very wide outer profile improves airflow between the tire and the rim, reducing turbulence and enhancing the wheel’s overall efficiency. According to Reserve, these are the fastest off-road wheels the brand has ever developed.

Reserve 48|53 GR Technical Specifications

Intended Use: Gravel World Series, fast and demanding gravel races, competition-oriented rides
Diameter: 700c
Profile: 48 mm front / 53 mm rear
Internal width: 30 mm
Outer width: 44 mm
Technology: widened hollow hooks
Weight: DT Swiss 350 hub version: 1528 g, DT Swiss 180 hub version: 1433 g