Comparisons/Alpinist CLX III vs Dura-Ace R9370 C36
ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE
Roval Alpinist CLX III vs Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36
The Roval Alpinist CLX III is 41 g lighter (1,131 g vs 1,172 g claimed per pair); the Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36 costs €159 less (€2,540 vs €2,699) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 33 mm on the Alpinist CLX III and 36 mm on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36, the internal width is 21 mm on the Alpinist CLX III and 23 mm on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36 and the listed tyre range is 24–38 mm on the Alpinist CLX III and 28–45 mm on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36.
Drag the handle to switch between the Alpinist CLX III (left) and the Dura-Ace R9370 C36 (right) on a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS. Black tyres shown for context.
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 41 g lighter per pair (1,131 g vs 1,172 g, manufacturer claims).
Alpinist CLX III1,131 g
Dura-Ace R9370 C361,172 g
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
Rim depth: 33 mm on the Alpinist CLX III, 36 mm on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36.
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
Internal rim width: 21 mm on the Alpinist CLX III, 23 mm on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36.
Alpinist CLX III · internal21 mm
Alpinist CLX III · external26.5 mm
Dura-Ace R9370 C36 · internal23 mm
Dura-Ace R9370 C36 · external29.4 mm
A wider internal rim spreads the tyre beads further apart, so the same tyre mounts wider and with more air volume: roughly 0.4 mm of tyre width per extra millimetre of rim width.1 A tyre labelled 28 mm can measure around 30 mm on a 21 mm rim,2 so check frame clearance against the measured width, not the printed one.4
Typical road rims have moved from about 19 mm internal width around 2020 to 21–25 mm, together with wider tyres. A wider rim also raises the narrowest tyre you may fit and, on hookless rims, comes with pressure limits.3 Brands usually shape the rim around a target tyre width for aerodynamics, so the fastest combination is not simply the widest tyre.5
Roval approves tyres from 24 mm to 38 mm for the Alpinist CLX III. Shimano recommends tyres from 28 mm to 45 mm for the Dura-Ace R9370 C36. This is a recommendation, not an approved limit.
Alpinist CLX III24–38 mm
Dura-Ace R9370 C3628–45 mm
An approved tyre range is the span of tyre widths a manufacturer permits for a rim, based on the ETRTO/ISO tables for tyre and rim combinations.2 Not every brand publishes one: some give a recommendation only, or no maximum. The lower end is the narrowest tyre that fits that internal width safely; the upper end shows how far you can go towards wider, lower-pressure tyres for comfort and grip on rough roads or gravel, provided your frame has the clearance.4
In TOUR's tests, wider tyres at a pressure matched to their width roll about as easily as narrower ones on smooth surfaces and add comfort and grip on real roads, while a tyre much wider than the rim costs some aerodynamic drag.1 Pressure calculators such as Zipp's take the rim's internal width into account as well as the tyre.3
Spoke count front/rear: 21/24 on the Alpinist CLX III, 18/21 on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36.
Alpinist CLX III 21 front / 24 rear · carbonDura-Ace R9370 C36 18 front / 21 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.
The Alpinist CLX III uses ceramic hub bearings, the Dura-Ace R9370 C36 steel bearings.
Ceramic hub bearings are a common premium option. CeramicSpeed quotes watt savings for upgrading hubs, bottom bracket and pulleys together.1 In independent Friction Facts tests of bottom brackets, the best steel and the best ceramic units were only hundredths of a watt apart, and seals and grease mattered more than the ball material.2
The lowest-friction setups tend to use lighter seals and grease, which protect less against rain and grit and need more frequent servicing.3 How long any bearing lasts depends mainly on seals, grease, hub design and maintenance.4
Warranty: a lifetime warranty on the Alpinist CLX III, 3 years on the Dura-Ace R9370 C36; crash replacement is offered for both.
Alpinist CLX IIILifetime · crash replacement yes
Dura-Ace R9370 C363 years · crash replacement yes
A warranty covers manufacturing defects; damage from a crash or impact is usually excluded.4 Crash replacement programmes cover that case, either free of charge or as a discount on a replacement. Hunt's H_Care is one example;2 Roval repairs or replaces crash damage free for two years on US purchases and at a discount of 20–35 % elsewhere, for up to five years.3 Some brands, Zipp among them, also include riding damage in their lifetime warranty.1
Terms differ widely: many programmes apply only to the original owner, need registration within a deadline and proof of purchase, may charge shipping or fees, and depend on the region you bought in.23 Check the current conditions on the manufacturer's page before relying on them.
How much lighter is the Roval Alpinist CLX III than the Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36?
41 g. The Roval Alpinist CLX III has a claimed pair weight of 1,131 g, the Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36 1,172 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.
Which has the wider tyre range?
The Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36. Roval approves tyres from 24 mm to 38 mm for the Alpinist CLX III. Shimano recommends tyres from 28 mm to 45 mm for the Dura-Ace R9370 C36. This is a recommendation, not an approved limit. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your exact tyre and pressure.
What is the price difference between the Roval Alpinist CLX III and the Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36?
€159 at our October 2026 price check: the Roval Alpinist CLX III cost €2,699 and the Shimano Dura-Ace R9370 C36 €2,540 per pair. Prices change; check the current offer with the retailer or manufacturer.
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.
