To exceed the stellar speed and efficiency of the first generation Rapide CLX wheelset, Roval followed the path they set out when developing the Alpinist CLX II, in moving to a clincher-tubeless hook rim design without sacrificing the characteristics that made the 1st generation so successful. Roval and Specialized had put the cycling world on notice with the World Tour success of the CLX clincher wheel systems. Tubeless was ascending, tubulars still ruled, and clincher tires... were rare, but proved to be quite efficient with the right rim, tire and tube combo. Still, the engineers at Roval still considered tubeless to be the best option moving forward and the tire development team at Specialized believed that improvements to the Rapid Air race day tire design would combine with a hooked tubeless ready Rapide CLX rim to unlock the best combination overall. With no tube, even a latex model, could less friction between rim and tire be produced. The Rapide CLX II Rear Wheel improves ride quality, reduces rolling resistance, and allows the rider to choose lower pressures as desired for better ride quality, handling, and even less rolling resistance while enjoying a properly sealed tubeless tire to basically eliminate pinch flatting and shrug at small punctures. But it takes more than an improved rim to deliver the incredible speed and power of the Rapide CLX II. The wheelset it self has been designed as a system with Roval's engineers controlling and testing every part of that system - hubs, rims, spokes, lacing - and developing it hand-in-hand with Specialized's Tubeless tire team. The result is an approximately 1520 gram tubeless wheelset that is indelibly efficient and super stable for real-world road cycling at the highest level.

First, it is important to remember that the Rapide CLX II has front and rear specific rim widths and depths. As the front wheel must guide the bike and manage the wind, it's rim must emphasize stability and handling while not sacrificing efficiency. Hence, it is wider and shallower. The rear rim is taller and narrower, to deliver incredible forward power and efficiency, while being more aero overall in conjunction with the rear triangle and to minimize drag at the trailing edge of the bike. The goal of the new rim design was make the tubeless compatible model stronger, with a hooked bead that could also handle a tube and clincher tire. The engineers outdid themselves. The 60mm deep rear Rapide CLX II rim is a work of art. It features the most precise carbon layup Roval has ever created; with massive lab, computer and real world testing on the road, but the design can also handle almost double the impact standards of every certifying body. The reduced rolling resistance of a tubeless setup is undeniable, as are the benefits of improved handling and incredible puncture protection. It took the most extensive and demanding engineering and testing program that Roval had ever undertaken, along with two years of exhaustive real-world evaluation to reach the point where the team could say that road tubeless was truly ready for prime time. As a result of this extensive development, the Rapide CLX II features a hooked rim that can handle a huge range of pressures up to 110psi and offers an easier set up and mounting experience than ever. This is tubeless done right.

Roval's AeroFlange hubs, here in the rear as the AFD02R model, are aerodynamically optimized, with wide bracing angles for increased strength and reduced spoke weight. They also benefit from the reduced weight, friction and increased strength of ceramic SINC bearings and the legendary durability of the DT Swiss EXP freehub internals. Designing the hub and optimizing the spoke count enables Roval to lay up rim reinforcement exactly where it’s needed, at the spoke nipples, and then drill the spoke holes at precisely the angle that they will intersect with the rim. Weight is minimized, and strength is optimized. DT Swiss also provides the spokes and nipples for the Rapide CLX II, with their butted, and lightly bladed DT Aerolite T-head design ideal for high tension and resilience, along with their alloy Pro Lock hexagonal nipples. The rear wheel carries 24 spokes, in Roval's 2:1 lacing process: doubling the spoke count on one side. On the rear wheel, the drive mount is the dominant side and is laced 2x, with the disc side being laced 1x, a rarity which can be safely achieved thanks to the exemplary engineering, stoutness of the rim and hub flange, as well as the incredible tension load borne by the Aerolites. The nipples allow for external true and tension service, should the need arise. The end result from the hub through the spokes and out to the rims is a superior aerodynamic wheelset that is incredibly fast, smooth, and optimized for acceleration and forward motion while still maintaining sleek aerodynamic speed and control.