Race-Level Aerodynamics Without the Usual Weight Penalty.
The Roval Rapide CLX III combines a deeper 51mm front rim with a lighter 48mm rear rim, giving you the aerodynamic benefit where it matters most without making the rear wheel unnecessarily heavy.
Carbon spokes, DT Swiss 180 EXP internals and ceramic bearings help bring the complete wheelset weight down to approximately 1,305g. The rims are tubeless-ready, use a hooked bead and are optimised around a 28mm road tyre.
Please Note
Front and rear wheels are sold individually. Select the required wheel and colour from the options above. A complete wheelset requires one front and one rear wheel.
Different Rims Front and Rear
Rather than using the same rim at both ends, Roval has designed each wheel around the job it needs to do.
The 51mm front rim has a broad 35mm external profile to manage airflow and provide stability at speed. The 48mm rear rim is narrower and lighter, helping the bike accelerate more quickly and respond sharply when climbing or changing pace.
Both rims have a 21mm internal width and are approved for tyres from 24mm to 38mm.
Carbon Spokes and Low Wheelset Weight
Roval by Arris composite aero spokes help reduce weight while maintaining the stiffness needed for hard acceleration and precise handling. The front wheel uses 18 spokes while the rear uses 24.
The claimed wheelset weight is 1,305g with tubeless tape and valves fitted: approximately 600g for the front and 705g for the rear.
FlatStop Bead Hooks
The hooked carbon rims use wide FlatStop bead hooks designed to spread impact loads across a larger area. Roval states that the FlatStop bead-hook construction requires 39% more force to cause an impact puncture.
That does not make the wheels puncture-proof, but it provides useful additional protection when riding rough roads or running lower tyre pressures.
DT Swiss 180 EXP Internals
The rear hub uses DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP internals with a 36-tooth ratchet. DT SINC ceramic bearings are used throughout the hubs.
The rear wheel is supplied with an SRAM XDR freehub fitted. A Shimano HG 11/12-speed road freehub and matching end caps are also included with the rear wheel.
Tubeless-Ready Hooked Rims
The Rapide CLX III can be used with compatible tubeless tyres or conventional clincher tyres and inner tubes. Tubeless tape and 70mm alloy valves are included.
Tyre pressure should be selected according to tyre size, measured tyre width, rider weight, road conditions and the tyre manufacturer’s limits. Never exceed the lowest pressure limit stated by the tyre or wheel manufacturer.
What’s Included
- Selected front or rear Roval Rapide CLX III wheel
- Tubeless rim tape and 70mm alloy valve
- Roval wheel bag
- Four spare carbon spokes and nipples
- SRAM XDR freehub fitted to the rear wheel
- Shimano HG 11/12-speed road freehub and matching end caps with the rear wheel
Key Features
- Front and rear wheels sold individually
- Asymmetric aerodynamic design with different front and rear rims
- 51mm front and 48mm rear rim depths
- Lightweight carbon clincher construction
- Hooked rims suitable for tubeless or inner-tube setups
- 21mm internal rim width
- Optimised around 28mm road tyres
- Approved for 24–38mm tyres
- Roval by Arris composite aero spokes
- DT Swiss 180 Ratchet EXP 36T rear-hub internals
- DT SINC ceramic hub bearings
- FlatStop bead hooks improve impact-puncture resistance
- Centre Lock disc-brake compatibility
- 12x100mm front and 12x142mm rear thru-axles
- Approximately 1,305g per complete wheelset
- UCI approved
Who Are These Wheels For?
The Rapide CLX III suits road racers and performance-focused riders who want one wheelset for flat racing, rolling courses and climbing. They make the most sense when low weight, aerodynamics and sharp acceleration are all priorities.
They are not approved for e-bike use. Riders should also check tyre compatibility, axle standards, brake-rotor fitment and cassette compatibility before ordering.
Our Thoughts
The clever part of the Rapide CLX III is that Roval has not simply made both rims deeper. The wider 51mm front rim handles most of the aerodynamic work, while the lighter 48mm rear helps keep the bike lively when accelerating or climbing.
At approximately 1,305g for the pair, these are exceptionally light for an aerodynamic disc-brake wheelset. We would pair them with a quality 28mm tubeless tyre for most New Zealand road riding, then set pressure according to the actual measured width rather than defaulting to the maximum printed pressure.
Why Buy from Chain Reaction?
- Advice on tyre, cassette and brake-rotor compatibility
- Professional tubeless setup available
- Official Specialized Dealer
- Independent Christchurch bike shop
- Nationwide New Zealand delivery
Specifications
- Brand: Roval
- Model: Rapide CLX III
- Intended use: Road racing and performance road riding
- Wheel size: 700c
- Rim construction: Carbon clincher, hooked
- Front rim depth: 51mm
- Rear rim depth: 48mm
- Front external width: 35mm at the widest point
- Rear external width: 31.3mm at the widest point
- Internal rim width: 21mm
- ETRTO: 622 × 21
- Tyre compatibility: Tubeless-ready and clincher tube type
- Approved tyre widths: 24–38mm
- Design tyre: 28mm RapidAir TLR
- Brake compatibility: Centre Lock disc
- Front axle: 12x100mm
- Rear axle: 12x142mm
- Front spokes: 18 Roval by Arris composite aero
- Rear spokes: 24 Roval by Arris composite aero
- Rear-hub internals: DT Swiss Ratchet EXP, 36T
- Bearings: DT SINC ceramic
- Fitted rear freehub: SRAM XDR
- Additional freehub: Shimano HG 11/12-speed road, supplied with the rear wheel
- Front weight: Approximately 600g with valve and tape
- Rear weight: Approximately 705g with valve and tape
- Wheelset weight: Approximately 1,305g with valves and tape
- Maximum system weight: 125kg, including rider, bike and equipment
- E-bike approved: No
- Certification: ISO 5775-2 and UCI approved
- Assembly: Hand built
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
