Specialized has announced the release of its highly anticipated Roval Rapide CLX wheelsets, debuting groundbreaking continuous carbon fiber spokes co-developed with ARRIS Composites. The launch marks a significant leap in wheel technology, promising an unmatched blend of aerodynamics, strength, and weight reduction for elite road cyclists.

The ARRIS team, driven by an obsession with high-performance composites and a passion for cycling, developed these advanced carbon spokes to achieve performance benchmarks that conventional materials couldn’t match. Each carbon spoke weighs just 1.9 grams, producing a system nearly 100 grams lighter than steel alternatives while delivering 20% greater strength, according to Roval.

Specialized has paired this spoke technology with a depth-optimized design: a 63mm deep front rim engineered for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, and a 58mm rear rim to ensure lightning-fast acceleration. “Since 90% of aero benefit comes from the front wheel, we went all-in to slice through the wind,” Specialized stated. The new FlatStop bead hooks are also engineered to demand 39% more force to flat, ensuring reliable performance all the way to the finish line.

Andy Carr in the Cycling Weekly Article writes Specialized’s unmatched track record with the Tarmac and other race-proven platforms, emphasizing the Rapide CLX as a serious upgrade for any racer.

Mat Brett in Road.cc’s article highlights the dramatic weight savings, reporting the system is “96.6g lighter than steel alternatives.”

Alvin Holbrook in Velo’s article underscores the blend of cutting-edge materials and refined build, with a 2:1 lacing pattern, DT Swiss 180 EXP internals, ceramic SINC bearings, and an overall weight reduction of 215 grams over the outgoing CLX II wheels.

Source: arriscomposites.com