Rear wheels in cross-country racing endure a different kind of abuse than their front counterparts. The rear wheel handles torque transmission, absorbs impacts while weighted during climbs, and takes the brunt of rock strikes when momentum carries the bike through technical sections faster than line selection allows. Roval addressed this asymmetry in the Control SL VI Solix Rear Wheel by engineering a carbon layup that delivers 21 percent more impact resistance than the previous generation—significantly more reinforcement than the front wheel's 14 percent increase. The additional strength targets the specific demands that rear wheels face without abandoning the weight targets that make this wheelset competitive at the World Cup level.

The Industry Nine Solix hub anchors the build with 0.59 degrees of engagement, translating to virtually instantaneous power transfer when you initiate a pedal stroke. That near-zero delay matters most during the micro-accelerations that define XC racing: punching over a root section, responding to a surge on a climb, or sprinting out of a switchback. The hub's reputation for reliability under racing loads complements its engagement specification, providing confidence that the mechanism will perform consistently across a full season of competition and training. The SRAM XD freehub body accommodates current 12-speed mountain cassettes.

Vonoa carbon spokes with titanium end pieces continue the weight-saving approach that brings the complete wheelset to 1,275 grams. The rear wheel contributes 690 grams to that total, a figure that includes tubeless tape and valve. The 24-spoke build laces in a two-cross pattern on both drive and non-drive sides, prioritizing the lateral stiffness needed for efficient power transfer over pure vertical compliance. When you're standing on the pedals during a steep climb or winding up a sprint finish, that stiffness ensures your effort reaches the ground rather than flexing the wheel.... Read More