Test Long life of Roval Rapide CLX wheels

Since this summer, Roval has revised part of its wheel range (only for disc brakes) and now offers the Rapide CLX with a different rim height and width between the front and rear wheels. The result on the route is exciting, as we were able to verify after a test more than 3000 km.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @3bikes.fr/DR

Although the Roval brand is now linked to Specialized, this has not always been the case. And if the Californian brand is keen today to clearly distinguish the two entities, it is firstly because the two brands are differentiated by their development teams, and also to not discourage potential buyers of American wheels who would own a bike with another label. Roval wheels compete directly with products that are widely renowned on the market, and are also good value for money.

However, it was in the 80s that the story of Roval began, in the hands of a French craftsman. Claude Lehanneur developed small series of wheels that stood out for their original technical solutions and that focused above all on balanced handling. Fluid, well finished and already mounted with few spokes (for the time), the Roval wheels for the route or mountain biking are enjoying a certain success among fans of beautiful equipment who display a certain nonconformity. It was in 2005 that Specialized bought the brand, and began to develop wheels intended to be mounted on the brand's range of complete bikes. Fifteen years later, Roval has become a reference brand, alongside Campagnolo, Fulcrum, Shimano, Mavic, Enve, DT Swiss, Corima or Zipp, and whose Alpinist CLX and Rapide CLX are the latest flagships for the route.

A differentiated profile

To succeed the CLX 50 and CLX 64 which they replace in the range, the Rapide CLX benefit from a differentiated rim height and width. An original solution that aims to improve aerodynamics and handling, especially when there is a lot of wind. The rear wheel is 60 mm high for a total width of 30,7 mm, while the front wheel is 51 mm high and 35 mm wide. An external width that does not, however, change the internal width of the two rims, at 21 mm. Thus, mounted on the Rapide, a 700×26 tire like the Turbo Cotton has an actual dimension of 28,5 mm wide, which remains smaller than the size of the front rim. 

Although it remains visually surprising, this enlargement provides several benefits. First of all, with a tire narrower than the rim, the aerodynamic drag is less and is better distributed around the rim, then around the tubes of the bike frame. Then, the tire is mounted with a more open shape, which allows lower inflation pressures without the sidewalls deforming and altering the dynamic behavior of the bike, especially when dancing or changing direction. Finally, the very wide profile gives the rim a pronounced U shape, which makes the front wheel less sensitive to lateral wind gusts, and therefore improves control of the bike in these conditions.

These are development possibilities that have only been offered thanks to disc braking, because such a width would not be compatible with traditional brake calipers.

If the rear wheel is higher and wider than the front wheel, it is because it does not have to meet the same constraints. Since part of the wheel is hidden by the seat tube, it is its rear part (the one furthest back on the bike) that must face the aerodynamic constraints, even if they are much less important than the front wheel. So a higher profile with a more closed U shape is best suited in this case, especially since the rear wheel has less impact on the direction of the bike and a high rim height helps pick up speed when the wind blows from three-quarters, thanks to a "sail" effect.

This original compromise is also associated with a construction which emphasizes weight saving. With disc brakes, Roval was able to rework the shape of the rim hooks, since they no longer have to withstand the heat of braking with pads. On the Rapide CLX, there is therefore a space between the edges of the rim and the hooks, which helps to limit the weight of the wheels to 1407 g (verified). And this for wheels with high rims and tires, which is extremely efficient, when the competition is rather between 1500 and 1600 g.

You understand, The Roval Rapide CLX are not available in tubular form, and are not Tubeless compatible, in order to optimize weight, since this technology requires specific sealing. This is quite surprising when you consider that Specialized also offers high-performance tubeless tires. But that doesn't stop the pros from the Deceuninck – Quick Step and Bora – Hansgrohe teams from racing and winning with the new Alpinist CLX and Rapide CLX, which are tires.

Ceramic bearings minus

Compared to the previous CLX 50 and 64, the Rapide CLX is offered at the same price of €2398., progress at the rim level as seen above, but lose the Ceramic Speed ​​bearings, which are replaced by “simple” sealed annular bearings. 

The wheels are mounted on Roval AeroFlange hubs, with a DT Swiss EXP freehub body mechanism, with DT Aerolite spokes (18 front, 24 rear) and external nipples. On the front wheel, there are 6 straight spokes on the right, and 12 spokes crossed in pairs on the disc side. On the rear wheel, there are 8 spokes crossed in pairs on the disc side, and 16 spokes crossed in pairs, again, on the transmission side. The wheels are attached to the frame with a 142/12 thru axle for the rear and 100/12 for the front.

Sporting versatility

What strikes you at first glance is the comfort of the Rapide CLX., despite their high profile. Relative comfort, it's true, but you have to keep in mind that these are high-end wheels designed for performance. When we first got to grips with the Specialized Tarmac SL7 test, the first few turns of the wheels surprised us at this level, but we didn't yet know if it came from the whole bike. A test more complete with another bike confirms this character trait, and not only thanks to the montagand Specialized Turbo Cotton tires. We also mounted the wheels with Michelin Power Road tires, and the observation is the same: up to a pressure of 7 bar, contact with the route is rather soft, and less brittle than with Fulcrum Racing Speed ​​40 for example. 

Vibration filtration which, while not necessarily reaching the level of rims designed for Gravel or 32 mm and larger tires, provides excellent traction on granular surfaces, whether sitting or standing on the pedals. A plus for performance, for sure.

TestOn certain windy days and at the seaside, the Roval Rapide CLX also proves to be faithful to the wishes of its designers, with astonishing handling for this type of product. Of course, with a weight of less than 60 kg and under gusts of 40 to 50 km/h, you have to hold the handlebars well and avoid letting go of both hands. Nevertheless, the drifts of the bike's direction always seem predictable and are above all progressive. You don't feel any whiplash that could cause a skid, and you realize that this ease of driving contributes to saving energy on a long ride. You thus come back less "broken" and worn out after a good ride than with wheels in the same category, despite the fact that they are, once again, wheels intended for performance. In terms of ridertage, the Rapide CLX are in our opinion as easy as 40mm wheels.

Their very competitive weight is of course an asset when it comes to accelerating, relaunching, or climbing. As long as you have a bike that ensures good homogeneity with the rigidity of the wheels, the whole thing seems sharp on the route, and never seems to come apart. And even in long uphill sections with a percentagetage, if you adopt a regular rhythm, the Rapide CLX are never handicapping. The rim height, especially at the front, requires excellent upper body coordination when dancing, which necessarily makes them a little more demanding at low speed than wheels with low rims. 

On the flat, the inertia effect is a little less noticeable than with heavier wheels. But the times are there to confirm that these are fast wheels, which help to increase the average speed of the outings or segments in particular. With a headwind, you can fight as much as with any wheel model, but as soon as you take the wind a little from the side, you feel like a little kick in the butt that makes it easier to pick up speed.

The times are there to confirm that these are fast wheels, which help to increase the average speed of the outings or of the segments in particular.

In terms of pure stiffness, disc braking removes a point of comparison with the absence of brake pads on which the rims could rub from time to time. Yet, without the wheels feeling stiff and completely locked laterally, powerful launches and changes in support never give the impression that they could float. Here again, homogeneity with the frame is important in terms of sensations and performance, and it would be a shame to mount the Rapide CLX on a bike that is not up to the task.

After more than 3000 km of test, the wheels have not moved and retain their aesthetic beauty. A closer inspection shows a complete absence of play in the bearings and a cassette body in perfect condition. However, we notice that the hub bearings catch a little, at least when handling them by hand, which deserves further monitoring. In any case, they are clearly less fluid than the Ceramic Speed ​​bearings fitted to previous CLXs.

Ultimately, with the Rapide CLX, Roval has managed to combine several characteristics beforehand antinomic: aerodynamics, rigidity, lightness, comfort and very good handling for this type of wheel. Great versatility, although it is obviously necessary to consider a sporting practice to fully appreciate them. In this area, They turn out to be at least of the same level as very high-end wheels from the competition, most of the time sold more expensively.

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