Rapide CLX II

The Rapide CLX II retails at $2,800 / £2,500 / €2,500. Most reviewers consider it competitive for the price — it matches ENVE and Bontrager all-around wheelsets in that range — but note that rivals like the Hunt 48 Limitless offer similar performance for nearly $1,000 less, and Roval's 2-year crash replacement policy is weaker than ENVE's 3-year or Zipp's/Reserve's lifetime programs.

The Rapide CLX II uses an asymmetric setup: 51mm-deep, 35mm-wide front rim and 60mm-deep, 30.7mm-wide rear rim, both with 21mm internal widths optimized for 26mm tires. Real-world weight with tubeless tape and valves is consistently measured at 1,505–1,520g across multiple reviewers.

Crosswind stability is the wheelset's standout strength. Multiple reviewers (BikeRadar, In The Know, Cyclingnews, CyclingWeekly) describe the front wheel as notably calm and self-correcting in strong gusts, outperforming comparable mid-depth wheels from ENVE and Zipp. One reviewer did note occasional erratic tugs with 26mm tires in the strongest winds, which disappeared when switching to 28mm tires.

Yes — tubeless compatibility is the defining update over the original CLX. The hooked bead supports up to 110psi tubeless, rims come pre-taped with valves installed, and most reviewers found setup easy. However, one reviewer (In The Know) noted that tire installation consistently required tire levers across multiple brands, which is unusual compared to other rims.

Reviewers disagree on aero: In The Know rates the ENVE SES 4.5 and Zipp 454 NSW above the Rapide CLX II for carrying momentum/speed above 20mph, while Cyclingnews and BikeRadar consider them equally competitive. On crosswind stability, the Rapide CLX II matches or beats the ENVE 4.5 but trails the Zipp 454 NSW in pure acceleration feel. The Rapide CLX II is lighter than the ENVE SES 4.5 (1,520g vs ~1,538g) and cheaper (£2,500 vs £3,350), but its crash-replacement policy is weaker.

Both use identical carbon rims — the CLX II upgrades to DT Swiss 180 EXP internals with SINC ceramic bearings, Aeroflange hub shells, and DT Aerolite bladed spokes, saving roughly 50–60g. Most reviewers say on-road feel is nearly indistinguishable, making the CL II the better value for most riders; the CLX II is justified mainly if you want ceramic bearings from the start, marginally better aerodynamics from the bladed spokes, or prefer the quieter EXP freehub. 23

Reviewers disagree on which is 'best' but agree they behave very differently. With 26mm tires the wheels feel lighter, more reactive, and slightly more aero; with 28mm tires they're more comfortable, more predictable in high winds, and better for everyday riders. In The Know found no measurable aero difference between 26mm and 28mm in real riding, and recommends 28mm (especially Continental GP5000 ST) as the better all-round choice.

The 35mm external front rim width is wider than most road tires (24–28mm), leaving a visible band of carbon exposed around the rim. Two reviewers (Cycling Weekly, Cyclingnews CL II) flag this as cosmetically awkward and raise concerns about riding on bare carbon in a flat — but it is not a structural or safety defect; it is an inherent consequence of the wide-rim aero design optimized for 26mm tires.