ComparisonsAlpinist CLX III vs Rapide CLX III

ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE

Roval Alpinist CLX III vs Roval Rapide CLX III

The Roval Alpinist CLX III is 174 g lighter (1,131 g vs 1,305 g claimed per pair) and €100 cheaper (€2,699 vs €2,799) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 33 mm on the Alpinist CLX III and 51 mm front / 48 mm rear on the Rapide CLX III. Both share the internal width (21 mm) and the listed tyre range (24–38 mm).

Roval Alpinist CLX III wheelsetRovalAlpinist CLX III Roval Rapide CLX III wheelsetRovalRapide CLX III
SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Both on the same bike.

Drag the handle to switch between the Alpinist CLX III (left) and the Rapide CLX III (right) on a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS. Black tyres shown for context.

Alpinist CLX III Rapide CLX III

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SIDE BY SIDE

Specifications.

Rows with different values are highlighted. Weights are manufacturer claims per pair.

Roval Alpinist CLX III and Roval Rapide CLX III specifications
SpecificationRoval Alpinist CLX IIIRoval Rapide CLX III
Claimed pair weight1,131 g1,305 g
Price per pair€2,699€2,799
Price checkedOctober 2026October 2026
MSRP€3,198€3,498
Rim depth · front33 mm51 mm
Rim depth · rear33 mm48 mm
Internal width · front21 mm21 mm
Internal width · rear21 mm21 mm
External width · front26.5 mm35 mm
External width · rear26.5 mm31.3 mm
Listed tyre range24–38 mm24–38 mm
Rim typeHookedHooked
Spokes · front / rear21 / 24 · Carbon18 / 24 · Carbon
BearingsCeramicCeramic
WarrantyLifetime; conditions applyLifetime; conditions apply
Crash replacementUp to 35% discount Conditions ↗Up to 35% discount Conditions ↗
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What the differences mean.

General context for the specifications where these two differ. Numbers in superscript link to the sources below each topic. How much each point matters depends on your riding, tyres and bike.

Weight: what the grams mean

The Alpinist CLX III is 174 g lighter per pair (1,131 g vs 1,305 g, manufacturer claims).

On a steady climb only total weight counts: a gram in the wheels costs the same as a gram in the frame or a bottle.1 A common rule of thumb is about 2 seconds per 100 metres of climbing for every kilogram, so 150 g works out at roughly 3 seconds on a 1,000 m climb.2

Rim weight matters somewhat more when you accelerate, because the rim spins as well as moves forward; physically that effect is at most about twice that of frame weight, and only while speeding up.1 Claimed weights are measured differently from brand to brand: some include rim tape and valves, others do not, and tolerances of around ±30 g are common.3 Independent weighing usually lands close to the claim once tape and valves are accounted for.4

  1. University of Illinois physics Q&A: rotating weight
  2. Cycling Uphill: time saved per kilogram
  3. Elitewheels: what claimed weights include
  4. BikeRadar: claimed vs weighed (Shimano RS710 review)

Rim depth: aerodynamics, weight and crosswinds

Rim depth: 33 mm on the Alpinist CLX III, 51 mm front / 48 mm rear on the Rapide CLX III.

Alpinist CLX III 26.5 mm21 mm33 mm
Rapide CLX III · front 35 mm21 mm51 mm Rapide CLX III · rear 31.3 mm21 mm48 mm

Cross-sections drawn to scale from the catalogue values for outer width, internal width and depth; hooked rims show the bead hook. Simplified shape, not the manufacturer's exact profile.

Deeper rims generally reduce aerodynamic drag, which pays off most at higher speeds on flat or rolling roads, but they tend to weigh more and can be more affected by gusty crosswinds. In a BikeRadar comparison, 60 mm aero wheels were about a second per kilometre faster on the flat but slower on steep climbs than a considerably lighter set.1

How a wheel behaves in crosswinds depends on the rim shape as well as its depth,3 which is why TOUR measures steering torque in the wind tunnel, not just drag.2 Shallower rims are generally easier to handle in gusts, something lighter riders and riders on exposed roads tend to notice first.1

  1. BikeRadar: aero vs lightweight wheels
  2. TOUR: how wheels are tested in the lab
  3. road.cc: what wheel designers care about

Different rim depths front and rear

The Rapide CLX III (51 mm front / 48 mm rear) uses different rim depths front and rear.

Some wheelsets use a different rim depth front and rear, and brands disagree on the direction. Roval's Rapide CLX II paired a shallower front with a deeper rear to favour stability.1 The newer Rapide III uses a slightly deeper front than rear, and Roval argues most of the aero benefit comes from the front wheel.2 Zipp's 454 NSW rim itself varies in depth along its circumference.3

Treat a split depth as a design choice of the brand rather than an advantage in itself. If crosswinds concern you, the front rim depth is the figure to look at.

  1. Gran Fondo: Roval Rapide CLX II review
  2. Cyclist: Roval Rapide III launch
  3. Zipp: 454 NSW

Spoke count

Spoke count front/rear: 21/24 on the Alpinist CLX III, 18/24 on the Rapide CLX III.

Close-up of the Roval Alpinist CLX III hub and spokes
Alpinist CLX III 21 front / 24 rear · carbon
Close-up of the Roval Rapide CLX III hub and spokes
Rapide CLX III 18 front / 24 rear · carbon

Fewer spokes save weight and can reduce drag slightly,1 but each spoke then carries more load and a broken spoke is more likely to leave the wheel unrideable.3 Wheels with low spoke counts usually state a maximum system weight;2 compare it with your own weight plus bike and luggage rather than judging by spoke count alone.

  1. road.cc: Hunt Limitless spoke options
  2. Hunt: 5AM Limitless system weight
  3. Sheldon Brown: wheelbuilding
WHICH ONE FITS

Choose by what matters to you.

Derived from the specifications above. This is not a performance rating.

Choose the Roval Alpinist CLX III if…

  • Low weight matters to you: 1,131 g, 174 g less than the Rapide CLX III
  • You want the shallower rim: 33 mm against 51 mm front / 48 mm rear
Full Alpinist CLX III profile →

Choose the Roval Rapide CLX III if…

  • You want the deeper rim: 51 mm front / 48 mm rear against 33 mm
  • You prefer its look: compare both on the same bike above
Full Rapide CLX III profile →

Common questions.

How much lighter is the Roval Alpinist CLX III than the Roval Rapide CLX III?

174 g. The Roval Alpinist CLX III has a claimed pair weight of 1,131 g, the Roval Rapide CLX III 1,305 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.

Do both take the same tyre widths?

Yes, the range is 24–38 mm for both. Roval approves tyres from 24 mm to 38 mm for both wheelsets. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your exact tyre and pressure.

What is the price difference between the Roval Alpinist CLX III and the Roval Rapide CLX III?

€100 at our October 2026 price check: the Roval Alpinist CLX III cost €2,699 and the Roval Rapide CLX III €2,799 per pair. Prices change; check the current offer with the retailer or manufacturer.

Your next step.

Roval Alpinist CLX III Check my Fit → Product profile Roval product page ↗
Roval Rapide CLX III Check my Fit → Product profile Roval product page ↗

Sources & data notes.

All values come from the Show My Bike catalogue, the same records used on the product pages. Prices checked October 2026. Some model-specific details were reviewed against the manufacturer pages. Manufacturer claims are identified as such. No independent product test is claimed, and no winner is declared.

Related comparisons.

Roval Rapide CLX II vs Rapide CLX III 1,520 g vs 1,305 g · €2,050 vs €2,799 Roval Rapide CL III vs Rapide CLX III 1,555 g vs 1,305 g · €1,449 vs €2,799 Roval · Zipp Rapide CLX III vs 454 NSW 1,305 g vs 1,400 g · €2,799 vs €2,687