Getting old sucks, might as well have a nice bike
I like to think about the the cost differential between a “premium branded” carbon wheelset and lesser known brands (also referred to as “Chinese wheels”, although I’m not a fan of that term) as breaking down into two categories: extra insurance and signalling.…
Light, aero, integrated, and the $300 price isn’t bad [relatively]. If the hose/cable exit is convenient, couldn’t tell from the press photos, this could be a great option for those looking to retrofit an aero handlebar setup on their bike. Introducing The Roval Rapide Handlebar Aero on the Leading Edge May 24th, 2021, Morgan Hill, CA – Wind is the ultimate cruelty, and nowhere is it more keenly met than the leading…
Offering a lifetime no-fault crash warranty alongside modern rim specifications (cough, including tubeless support), the Roval Rapide C 38 wheelset seems like a decent offering, especially considering the $1,000 price tag alongside its DT Swiss 370 star-ratchet freehub. They aren’t the lightest set available, but 1600g isn’t terrible for what should be a solid set of wheels. Product Specifications: 38mm External Rim 21mm Internal Rim Width Carbon Clincher Tubeless Ready New DT…
Normally, I let the MTB/XC news pass me, and thereby you, alone. After all, while I end up living dangerously at times, it’s certainly not the intent when I get on the bike. But, after mistaking “XC” for “CX” when I ran the initial is-this-worth-my-time algorithm, I was already deep enough in the release when I realized my mistake, that it would have been a moral failing to abandon – and TBH,…
Not going to lie, I like the look of integrated cockpits. Unfortunately, given my boyish shoulders + adult body, I can’t really use them. And the new Roval Aplinist cockpit is no exception, with no option for a 38cm bar x 130mm stem :(. That said, the price is a jaw dropping $600 (SRP), so if I’m completely honest, I’d probably stick with my current setup anyway. Also lacking, at least to…
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…
Apparently not content to make people drool over the CLX32, there’s a new lightweight in town – the 1284g Roval Aplinist CLX. Roval makes some bold claims around aerodynamics, and I’m sure they’re mostly true :). Not that it really matters, no one is going to buy these wheels for the aero creds. They will set you back $2500 though, so definitely a princely sum to save the grams. It will be…
It’s important to take any manufacture’s claims with a grain of salt; especially when it comes to bicycle kit. That said the new Roval Rapide CLX look very, very interesting due to their very different layouts front and back. What Roval has done is create a shallower (51mm), but massively wide (35mm) front wheel, and paired it with a more standard 30mm wide/60mm deep rear wheel. Claiming that this increases stability, which…