Fast and Light
We're in something of a golden age for wheels at the moment. New brands and new technology have shaken up the market and brought a renewed competitive urge, which is extremely good news for us as riders. There's something new and interesting at all pricepoints and for all purposes.
Roval have been one of the prime movers in this new generation, with the might of Specialized behind them helping with R&D (and purchasing power) and Pro Tour teams to put their products to the test in the most demanding of conditions.
Their latest launch sees the arrival of two startlingly light new wheelsets; the extremely aero Rapide CLX and the ultralight climber Alpinist CLX.
Interestingly Roval have opted to make these new wheels suitable for clincher tyres only - they're not tubeless compatible. That's not the sign of a u-turn on tubeless tech, but simply a result of their desire to keep weight to an absolute minimum. By staying with clincher tyres they can use less material in the rims whilst keeping a very respectable 109kg rider weight limit.
Both wheelsets feature DT Swiss freehub internals, using their new EXP technology - a ratchet-based system that gives increased axle stiffness, simplifies and strengthens the design of the mechanism, and improves durability (as well as making freehub swaps easier).
The Rapide CLX and Alpinist CLX are both priced at £1850 per pair, complete with padded Roval wheelbags and Roval's Lifetime Warranty. They're disc brake only, and at launch come equipped with Shimano HG freehubs.
Rapide CLX
The Rapide are the out and out aero wheels - 51mm deep at the front and 60mm deep at the rear. But that doesn't mean they're carrying excess weight, a pair come in at a quoted 1400g (front: 649g, rear 751g).
The days of simply copying a rim profile for front and rear are long behind us in this era of aero optimisation. The profiles here are shaped for their specific jobs, with the front designed to cope with gusts of wind without affecting handling and stability (Roval claim they're 25% better than the CLX 50 in this respect).
The rear is shaped for minimal drag, and is also narrower (30mm external width, compared to 35mm at the front).
Alpinist CLX
1284g per pair.
These are the full-on climber's wheelset, with weight pared down to an absolute minimum, but still featuring a very respectable 33mm rim depth (and a thoroughly up to date 21mm internal width, which will work happily with the latest larger volume tyre options).
Like the Rapide the Alpinist feature Roval's new Aero Flange hubs, because even when you're in the mountains a little extra aero advantage is never a bad thing.
Also in line with the Rapide they come with a sensible 109kg rider weight limit - they may be ultralight but they're capable of serious use.
The Alpinist CLX and Rapide CLX are available to order now, and we are receiving some of the very first stock available in the UK. Supply is sure to exceed demand on these competitively priced and extremely well specified wheels.
Check the latest availability in our online shop:
We already have both new wheelsets in our interactive online Bike Builder, allowing you you to create your own custom 'dream bike" with the specification of your choice.
Alpinist CLX Specs:
- Rim Type: Carbon, clincher (tube-type)
- Rim Material: Carbon
- Braking Surface: Disc brake only
- Rim Depth: 33mm
- Rim Width: 21mm internal
- Spoke Pattern: Radial/Two-cross (2:1) front / One-cross/Two-cross (2:1) rear
- Spoke Count: 21 front / 24 rear
- Spoke Type: DT Swiss Aerolite T-head
- Nipple Type: DT Swiss Pro Lock hexagonal
- Front Hub: Roval AeroFlange Disc, Center Lock, Sealed Cartridge bearings.
- Rear Hub: Roval AeroFlange Disc, Centerlock, Sealed Cartridge bearings, DT Swiss EXP internals, HG Freehub, 142x12mm thru-axle compatible
- Assembly Method: Hand-built
- Extras: Roval padded wheelbag.
- NoFault crash replacement policy.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Weight: 562g front / 686g rear
Rapide CLX Specs:
- Rim Type: Carbon, clincher (tube-type)
- Rim Material: Carbon
- Braking Surface: Disc brake only
- Rim Depth: 51mm
- Rim Width: 21mm internal, 35mm external
- Spoke Pattern: Radial/Two-cross (2:1) front / One-cross/Two-cross (2:1) rear
- Spoke Count: 18 front / 24 rear
- Spoke Type: DT Swiss Aerolite T-head
- Nipple Type: DT Swiss Pro Lock hexagonal
- Front Hub: Roval AeroFlange Disc, Center Lock, Sealed Cartridge bearings.
- Rear Hub: Roval AeroFlange Disc, Centerlock, Sealed Cartridge bearings, DT Swiss EXP internals, HG Freehub, 142x12mm thru-axle compatible
- Assembly Method: Hand-built
- Extras: Roval padded wheelbag.
- NoFault crash replacement policy.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Weight: 649g front / 751g rear
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