It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that a “CL” version of the Roval Alpinist was in the works. It Specialized’s MO to start with the CLX, and then drop the “X” for a significantly more budget friendly version. In this case you’re really not giving up that much either. The rim is same 21mm internal/ 26.3mm external / 33mm deep as the top end Alpinist, just moving to the bulletproof DT Swiss 350 hub, and adding three spokes to the front wheel. Which probably makes up most of the 117g added vs the CLX version. While that’s terrible news for the weight weenies, the added spokes should increase durability, especially for heavier riders, and a while few extra grams at the hub isn’t celebratory, it’s not the end of the world either. Hub weight hurts less.
Of course, as a premium wheelset, they won’t come home with you for nothing. In this case SRP is $1600, which no disputing is still a lot of money. But, for the extra dosh, you do get a fantastic warranty; 2 years no-fault crash, and lifetime defect. Oh, and a wheel bag ;).
CL-level Alpinist Joins CL50 in The Roval CL Series
Conquer mountains, flatten hills, and feel your bike come alive with this ultra-light 1365 gram wheelset. Roval’s new Alpinist CL pairs the climbing pedigree of the featherweight Alpinist rim with workhorse DT Swiss 350-series hubs and gossamer DT Swiss Aerolite spokes.The new Alpinist rim technology has already proven itself worthy of the name. In the months since it was unleashed on the pro peloton, Deceuninick– Quick-Step team pros have ridden the CLX wheelset to victory on multiple race stages, notably in Remco Evenepoel’s command performance over 51k and four significant climbs in the Tour de Pologne. The brand-new Alpinist CL now brings this mountain-taming performance slightly closer to Earth with a carefully selected build designed to let riders take full advantage of the low rim and spoke mass.Mass is the enemy of performance, and the Alpinist CL is the lightest wheelset in its class. Weight has been pared to the absolute minimum where it counts most, allowing your every watt to deliver incredible responsiveness without sacrificing any of the strength, ride quality and durability crucial to long-term performance and satisfaction.The backbone of this 1365 gram wheelset is the Alpinist rim. Optimized to provide minimal weight without sacrificing Roval’s signature ride quality, this rim is also wind-tunnel engineered to outperform similar profile depths. Using complex and precise carbon fiber layup to minimize weight and optimize strength and durability, the Alpinist CL wheelset maintains the smooth ride and superb handling of the CLX edition so you can lighten your bike, not your wallet. Maintaining serviceability is one of Roval’s goals, and to that end, the Alpinist CL uses a suite of technologies to make it easier to keep rolling. Mechanics everywhere will appreciate the external Pro-Lock alloy spoke nipples with standard sizing, as well as the DT Swiss hub internals featuring the reliable and easy-to-service Star Ratchet drive system. Spokes, bearings and hub end caps are all available from multiple sources should the need arise, meaning riders will spend more time on their wheels and less time waiting for service.
With the ProTour-tested Alpinist rim and rider-centric approach to wheelset design, the Alpinist CL is a strong contender for performance-minded cyclists looking for low weight and high value in a climbing-oriented wheelset.
Alpinist CL Highlights:
That is a pretty good weight for that $ amount still. Lighter than this and the cost starts to skyrocket.
Personally, I’d rather have these than the CLX. Hubs add some weight, but the cost difference is makes up for it.