Fifty carbon layup iterations preceded the final Alpinist CLX II rim design, a development process that reflects how precisely Roval tuned the balance between weight reduction and structural integrity. The 33mm-deep rim emerged from hundreds of impact tests that pushed the design toward durability standards nearly doubling industry certification requirements. That testing rigor matters for climbing wheels, where the temptation to chase grams often produces fragile equipment that cracks under real-world use. The Alpinist CLX II rear wheel delivers genuine lightweight performance without the durability compromises that plague weight-obsessed designs.

The rim shares its 27mm external width and 21mm internal channel across front and rear, creating consistent tire profiles and handling characteristics. Hooked bead construction supports tubeless setups at pressures up to 110psi for 24-35mm tires, with tubed configurations reaching 130psi. That pressure flexibility addresses the varied terrain that climbing days present: firm tires for efficient paved approaches, then lower pressures when rough descents demand compliance. The 21mm internal width accommodates rubber from 24mm race tires through 38mm all-road options.

Roval's LightAF hub architecture carved 50 grams from the previous Alpinist CLX design through low-profile hub shells and machined Center Lock rotor mounts. Inside, DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP internals provide the engagement mechanism, with 36-tooth pickup delivering 10 degrees of rotational response. SINC ceramic bearings handle the load path, reducing friction losses that accumulate across long mountain stages. The ceramic bearing system was developed specifically for this hub shell geometry rather than adapted from existing designs, optimizing the interface between bearing, hub body, and EXP internals for minimal drag.... Read More