The new Roval Alpinist SLX has been launched as the first alloy version of the brand's carbon climbing wheelset, the Alpinist CLX II.
Roval claims the Alpinist SLX makes the responsiveness, handling and low weight of the carbon Alpinist CLX II wheels more affordable.
Meanwhile, Roval has also launched the Terra CLX II carbon wheels, calling them its lightest and most durable gravel wheels.
Roval Alpinist SLX
Roval says the £760/$800 Alpinist SLX wheels are “the pinnacle of what can be achieved with alloy”.
The 24mm-deep Roval Alpinist SLX wheelset has a claimed weight of 1,485g.
Roval says the alloy rim is tubeless-compatible to take advantage of the ride quality afforded by the best tubeless road bike tyres.
A new kind of shot peen treatment – where metal projectiles are fired at an object to increase strength – increases durability, according to Roval.
DT Swiss 350 hubs and Sapim spokes provide toughness and performance, the brand adds.
Roval Terra CLX II
Roval says the carbon Terra CLX II rivals specialist climbing wheels on the scales, while also being designed to better withstand the rigours of rough gravel racing.
The Roval Terra CLX II uses low-flange disc hubs from the Alpinist CLX II to bring claimed weight to 1,250g. This saves 50g compared to the outgoing Terra CLX, according to the brand.
The Roval Terra CLX II is built around DT Swiss 180 hub internals, which included Sinc ceramic bearings. Everything is laced together using DT Swiss Aerolite T-head spokes.
The new wheels retain the 32mm-deep rim of the previous generation Roval Terra CLX. Ranked among the best gravel wheels by our testers, they were ridden to multiple Unbound Gravel wins.
The hooked rim of the Terra CLX II has a 25mm internal rim width (30mm external) and is rated for gravel bike tyres from 28c to 47c in width, up to 80 PSI.
The Roval Terra CLX II wheelset costs £2,500/$2,500. A front wheel can be purchased separately for £1,050/$1,100 and a rear wheel for £1,450/$1,400.
