The Reserve 44 rear wheel pairs Reserve's 44mm-deep carbon rim with Zipp's ZR1 hub and a SRAM/Shimano freehub body. This configuration slots into the rear position of Reserve's 40|44 mixed-depth road wheelset system, where the taller rear wheel contributes aerodynamic efficiency while the shallower front wheel maintains stability in crosswinds. Sold as a single rear wheel, this option suits riders replacing a damaged wheel or building a custom mixed-depth setup with components from different sources.

Reserve engineered the 44 rim with a 31mm external width and 25mm internal width, a profile that supports modern tire trends toward 28-32mm widths without aerodynamic penalty. The U-shaped rim cross-section handles crosswinds more predictably than V-shaped profiles common on older aero wheels. The hookless bead design simplifies manufacturing tolerances and improves carbon compaction in the bead area, which Reserve reinforced rather than lightening to match industry weight targets. Internally reinforced spoke holes distribute load across a wider area around each nipple, addressing a common failure point in carbon rims. The rim weighs 430 grams and uses 24 spokes in a 2x lacing pattern with J-bend Sapim CX-Delta spokes.

Zipp developed the ZR1 hub at SRAM's engineering center in Schweinfurt, Germany, accumulating over 58,000 kilometers of durability testing before release. The hub uses six pawls arranged in two offset groups of three, creating 66 points of engagement for responsive power pickup when accelerating out of corners or restarting after coasting. Improved sealing borrowed from Zipp's higher-end Cognition hubs protects the steel bearings from contamination during wet rides and post-ride washing. The center lock rotor interface accepts standard disc rotors, and the 12x142mm thru-axle spacing fits contemporary road and gravel frames.... Read More