Specialized unveiled today, June 6, the new Roval Rapide CLX II Team wheelspresented by the American company as the non plus ultra of its range.
Developed first of all for professionals, they are made available, in a limited number of pieces, even for the most demanding enthusiasts.
The Rapide CLX II Team, in fact, are a limited edition, available in just 1,500 sets globally.
To be clear, they are the wheels we talked about in this article, used by Alaphilippe and Dani Martinez at the Giro d’Italia and recently also by Remco Evenepoel and many other Pro’s sponsored by Specialized.
Developed for professionals
The new Roval Rapide CLX II Team were born with the aim of creating a wheel without compromises, capable of fully responding to the needs of professionals, on any path.
The main work was done on the weightwith a reduction of 130 grams compared to the already highly appreciated CLX II: the declared weight, including valves and tape, is 1,390 gramswith a profile of 51 mm on the front and 60 mm on the rear.
All this while also improving aerodynamics, without sacrificing strength and maintaining a rim tubeless ready.
On paper, in practice, a “definitive wheel”, to be mounted on any route. And in fact, at the Giro d’Italia, we saw the professionals often use them even in the mountain stages.
New Roval Rapide CLX II Team: what changes compared to the CLX II
The weight and aerodynamic improvements were achieved by working on the hub, carbon fiber lamination and spokes. Below we see in detail the differences compared to the CLX II.
Carbon fiber lamination
The starting point of the new Team version was the shape of the rim of the Rapide CLX II (compatible for tubeless or inner tube), which already offered an excellent compromise between aerodynamic performance and handling.
The goal, however, was to reduce weight and for this reason the Specialized technicians they worked on fiber lamination. With a complex and careful process, testing various combinations of resins and carbon grades, it was possible to save money 40 grams per circle, passing internal durability tests, which according to what Specialized declared are double compared to industry standards.
In aerodynamic terms, Specialized specifies that the performance of the Rapide CLX II is very stable, whether a 26 mm tire or wider 28 or 30 mm tires are used.
New Roval Team Light hub
The weight reduction also affected the hubs, characterized by a silver finish and with a different shape than those of the CLX II.
The internal mechanisms are i DT Swiss 180 with 36 tooth EXP ratchet, while the silver finish allowed us to save a few more grams, avoiding paint.
In total, on the pair of hubs, the lightening was 50 grams.
DT Swiss Aerolight II spokes
The wheels we had seen at the Giro in use by the Pros, or at least some of them, were equipped with carbon spokes. Specialized confirms that it has tested fiber spokes to further reduce weight, but the final choice fell on DT spokes Swiss Aerolite II T-head in steelwhich still allow a small aerodynamic improvement compared to the CLX II version.
We’re talking about 0.5 watts at 40 km/h, which is very little, but it’s those details that can make the difference for runners.
Contents of the box: a premium experience
The Team version’s silver hubs, valves and chrome logo help save weight by eliminating paintwork, as well as adding a touch of style.
But this graphic also serves to send a message: from now on the silver color on a Roval product highlights its maximum performancethe best of the best.
A premium experience, designed for Pros and also offered to enthusiasts. For this reason, the new Roval Rapide CLX II Team are offered in a special package which contains, in addition to the wheels:
- A pair of S-Works Turbo Rapid Air 700×26 tires
- Personalized Roval Purist water bottles
- Premium wheel bag
- Shimano and Sram freewheel bodies
- Spare spokes and ceramic bearings SINC
New Roval Rapide CLX II Team: technical specifications in brief
- Circles: CLX Team carbon rapids compatible with inner tube and tubeless. 51mm front profile, 35mm external width, 21mm internal width. Rear profile 60 mm, external width 30.7mm, internal width 21 mm.
- Hubs: Roval Team Light (LF16/LF17R) Center Lock, DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP 36t (10 degs) internals, 100x12mm & 142x12mm, Shim freehub. RD. 11SP HG
- Bearings: DT Swiss SINC Ceramic
- Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite II T-head. Front 18 spokes: Radial/One-cross (2:1) DS: 258mm, NDS: 267mm. Rear 24 spokes: One-cross/Two-cross (2:1), DS: 261mm, NDS: 256mm
- Nipples: hexagonal DT Swiss Hex Prolock Al 2.0×14 mm
- Tire compatibility: 24mm – 38mm
- Pair Weight: 1,390g, front 643g, rear 747g (incl 15g, tape and valve)
- Retail price of the kit: 3,700 euros
For more information and to find out where to buy them: specialized.com
