Roval's engineers spent 21 months developing the Alpinist CLX II, and the rear wheel is where the balance between weight and durability gets most rigorously tested. Roval's engineers reinforced the Alpinist's 33mm-deep carbon rims with additional layers of carbon to improve impact resistance, ensuring tubeless tires would remain seated in the event of a severe impact. The aero-focused Rapide CLX II received a 100g weight penalty from similar rim revisions, but with a low gram count as a design priority for the Alpinist II, engineers offset weight gain at the rims with updated hub shells that shaved every gram of excess material from between the Center Lock disc mounts. Roval shaved 50 grams from the previous Alpinist CLX hub shells with lower-profile hub bodies and machined rotor mounts. The result is a rear wheel that weighs 694 grams complete with tubeless tape and valve.

The rim measures 33mm deep with a 21mm internal width and hooked bead construction. That hooked profile matters for tire selection: hooked bead construction supports tubeless setups at pressures up to 110psi for 24-35mm tires, with tubed configurations reaching 130psi. Riders who want to run wider tires at lower pressures for endurance rides or mixed surfaces have the flexibility to do so, and the wheel accepts tire widths from 24mm through 38mm depending on pressure. The shallow rim depth prioritizes weight reduction over aerodynamic performance, a positioning that reflects the wheel's climbing-focused design brief.

Hub internals come from DT Swiss. The rear wheel has 24 spokes running to an LFD hub with DT Swiss EXP Internals and DT's SINC ceramic bearings. The weight limit for the wheels is 125 kg (275 lb.). The 36-tooth ratchet delivers 10 degrees of engagement, translating pedal inputs quickly out of corners and on steep gradients where hesitation costs momentum. SINC ceramic bearings reduce drag through the drivetrain, and the EXP freehub design moves the drive-side bearing outboard for a stiffer axle interface.... Read More