Composite spokes have long promised weight savings but often delivered compromised ride quality—harsh, buzzy, disconnected from the road surface. The Roval Alpinist CLX III Rear Wheel represents a different outcome. Developed with ARRIS, the composite aero spokes shed 1.9 grams each compared to steel equivalents while testing 20% stronger, contributing to the 613-gram rear wheel weight that helps the complete wheelset reach 1,131 grams. The ride quality reviewers describe lands closer to a well-tensioned steel spoke build than the typical carbon spoke experience.

The titanium end pieces on each spoke handle the interface points where stress concentrates—at the hub flange and rim nipple. This hybrid approach addresses the failure modes that have plagued earlier composite spoke designs while capturing the weight reduction benefits. The 24-spoke rear uses a 2:1 lacing pattern with one-cross on the drive side and three-cross on the non-drive side, balancing power transfer stiffness against lateral compliance.

Roval's Low Flange hub design centers the build, spinning on DT Swiss SINC ceramic bearings paired with the proven Ratchet EXP freehub mechanism. The 36-tooth engagement ring delivers 10 degrees of pickup—responsive for accelerations out of corners or attacks on climbs without the maintenance demands of higher-engagement systems. The rear wheel ships with an SRAM XDR freehub body installed, though Shimano HG 11/12-speed freehub and end caps come included in the box for straightforward conversion.... Read More