Roval has introduced new Rapide CLX Sprint, Rapide CLX III, and Rapide CL III wheels, each with a deeper front rim than is used at the rear, the idea being to improve the aero performance while saving weight to improve acceleration and climbing speed. The top-level options feature composite spokes with Roval boldly claiming these are “the fastest road racing wheels in the world”.
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Why have a deeper rim at the front and a shallower rim at the rear?
“Traditional wheel designs favour deep rear profiles for aerodynamics,” says Roval. “Our engineering team challenged this convention by applying aerodynamic theory and real-world rider data to create a front-deep, rear-shallow system. The proven principle: up to 90% of the aerodynamic benefit of deep wheels comes from the front wheel. Prioritising the front rim depth maximises drag reduction, while reducing rear depth saves weight and improves acceleration and climbing speed without significant aerodynamic loss.
“A deeper rear wheel provides aero benefit, but it provides less benefit for the same increase in weight relative to the front. If your goal is to maximise real-world speed, a deeper rear wheel may not be the best solution. Instead, maximising weight savings in the rear to reduce rotating mass for faster accelerations, and aerodynamics in the front to put aero advantage where it matters most, presents the best weight-to-aero ratio possible.
“But in most situations, a deeper front wheel is faster because it optimises aerodynamics at the front, aka the leading edge, of the bike. There is less aerodynamic advantage to be had at the rear of the bike, which makes it easier to reduce the rim depth and hence reduce overall weight. A shallower rear wheel also improves ride quality characteristics.”
There are three wheelsets in the new Roval range:
Rapide CLX Sprint £1,299 front, £1,699 rear
Roval says that the Sprint CLX is the fastest spoked wheelset it has ever made. The front rim is 63mm deep, while the rear is 58mm. Like the other new options, the design is optimised around 28mm tyres (although Roval says that 26-30mm tyres work very well), and Roval claims a wheelset weight of 1,395g.
Why 28mm tyres?
“Rolling resistance testing identified the fastest wheel-tyre setup: a 28mm tyre on a 21mm internal rim width,” says Roval. “We tested three internal rim widths, three tyre sizes, and multiple pressures on a smooth and rough drum—and the 28/21 pairing consistently delivered the lowest Crr (coefficient of rolling resistance).”
These wheels are built up with Roval Aero Composite spokes developed with Arris Composites. Roval says that each one weighs 1.9g, producing a system that’s 96.6g lighter than steel alternatives.
“Each spoke has titanium end pieces, and is 2.3g lighter than an aero-bladed steel spoke and 20% stronger,” says Roval. “The composite construction maintains tensile strength under load while reducing rotational mass, a critical factor for acceleration.”
Roval uses its LF Hub with DT Swiss 180 EXP 36T internals, running on SINC ceramic bearings. These are said to be over 50g lighter than the hubs used on previous-generation wheels.
Roval calls its Rapide CLX Sprint: “The secret weapon for raw speed in bunch sprints.”
It says that the wheels will give you an “18cm lead in a 250m sprint over the previous Rapide II wheels”. That’s not based on a single speed; Roval uses real-world pro rider power data, building from 50km, with a rider typically not staying at maximum speed for the duration.
Roval hasn’t supplied us with wind tunnel data comparing its new wheels with models from other brands, by the way. Admittedly, everyone takes brands’ aero claims with a pinch of salt anyway.
Rapide CLX III £1,299 front, £1,699 rear
The Rapide CLX III wheels are a little shallower than the Rapide CLX Sprints (above): 51mm at the front and 48mm at the rear, coming in at a claimed wheelset weight of 1,305g. That’s 215g lighter than the Rapide CLX II predecessor, although Roval says the updated version “retains the aerodynamic gains”.
“The Rapide CLX III wheelset matches the aerodynamic advantage of the Rapide CLX II, but does not exceed it,” says Roval. “However, the Rapide CLX III wheels are also significantly lighter than the Rapide CLX II. That means you get all of the aerodynamic benefits, and pay less of a weight penalty. Reduced weight means faster acceleration too.”
Like the Rapide CLX Sprint, this wheelset uses Roval LF hubs with DT Swiss 180 EXP 36T internals and SINC ceramic bearings, and Roval Aero Composite spokes by Arris.
Roval says that the Rapide CLX Sprint wheelset is faster than the Rapide CLX III for sprinting and fast, flat courses. On the other hand, the Rapide CLX III wheelset is faster for all-around road courses, “as it offers the best combination of light, fast, and confidence-inspiring handling”.
For pure climbing, Roval says that its Alpinist wheels are quicker.
Rapide CL III £719 front, £829 rear
The Rapide CL III wheelset is the least expensive option of the three, coming in at just over half the price of the other two (above) – although we’re still talking north of £1,500, so this is hardly a bargain basement choice.
You get a 51mm front rim here, and 48mm at the rear, and Roval claims a weight of 1,555g.
This time around, the hubs are DT Swiss 350 with 36T star ratchet internals and stainless steel bearings, and the spokes are DT Swiss Competition Race (stainless steel).
Roval says the Rapide CL III is designed “for those who want aero, stability, and tubeless protection — at a more accessible price point”.
The range as a whole
All of the rims are hooked and tubeless.
Roval says that it has kept the Rapide rim shape for three generations “because it delivers improved stability when it matters most for riders” – which, it says, is during gusts from 0.5–2 seconds.
“The Sprint wheel was designed for pure speed and took a different path, resulting in a wheel with predictable and consistent increase in side force as yaw increases,” says Roval.
Roval’s wide FlatStop Bead Hook design is intended to resist pinch flats by spreading impact force. Roval says that you get “best-in-class tubeless tyre retention under impact”, the hooked design helping to ensure the tyre remains seated at high pressures and if it goes flat for any reason.
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5 thoughts on “Roval releases “the fastest road race wheels in the world””
I’d be interested to know the
I’d be interested to know the performance difference between the CLX II & the CL III. I’ve had Roval wheels before and they have always, for me, been the best pound for pound wheels on the market.
Have you compared them with
Have you compared them with similar products from other brands? Most of the current crop of aero rims test very similarly in the wind tunnel.
Wheels can make a big difference to the feel of a bike but the law of Diminshing Returns applies just as it does elsewhere. Pound for pound, my £300 Open Pro (rim brake, 1740g, all components made in EU, handbuilt by LBS) ride nicely for me, are one fifth of the price of the cheapest of these and can easily be serviced or rebuilt.
But someone has to pay for Remco’s wheels (and all the other pro teams and athletes sponsored by Specialized).
Don’t worry if you miss out
Don’t worry if you miss out on these, pretty much every other premium bicycle wheel manufacturer will be releasing what they also claim to be “the fastest road race wheels in the world” in the next week or two. Either that or the lightest.
werent hookless rims meant to
werent hookless rims meant to be the real innovation? is this a backward step or orthogonal tangent?
Hookless wheels are easier to
Hookless wheels are easier to manufacture, that’s their advantage, disadvantage, Need soevial tyres and if your unlucky the tyre burps and comes off the rim potentially causing a nasty crash at road riding speeds