Roval Rapide CL II: Pro Tour Rims, New Build for a Lower Price
Roval’s next set of tubeless wheels uses the same rims as the superlative Rapide CLX II but comes at a more palatable price point.
It took Roval 21 months to design and build its strongest road rims ever at what it claims is the lightest weight possible. But when the company finished the job, it delivered a lauded rim. Then Roval put them on a wheelset that saves a hit on your bank account.
The wheel’s recent high-performance predecessor is the Rapide CLX II. The CL II uses the same rims, which come in two shapes in the front and rear to improve aero efficiency.
A straight-pull DT Swiss 350 hub with a 36-tooth Star Ratchet and Competition Race straight-pull spokes anchor the rim.
The rim geometry between the two is precisely the same. To help riders cut down on micro-adjustments in crosswinds, the front rim gets a squatter shape with 51 mm of depth and 35 mm of external width.
Roval points out that the rear wheel is “the last thing the wind sees,” so the brand makes it deeper and narrower: 60 mm deep by 30 mm of external width.
The result? Roval said the wheelset is 25% more stable than its CLX50 wheels in heavy or gusty wind.
The set weighs 1,590 g, just a touch heavier than the Rapide CLX II at 1,520 g. The rims hold tires from skinny to gravel-fat: 24 to 38 mm. And the hooked shape lets you ride it at higher pressure if you want.
Roval builds each Rapide CL II by hand but still gives them a substantially lower MSRP than the CLX II. The $1,025 (rear) and $725 (front) prices represent significant savings over the flagship set, which cost $1,625 (rear) and $1,125 (front).
Check out the new Rapide CL II on Roval’s website.
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