ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE

Roval Rapide CL II vs Roval Rapide CL III

The Roval Rapide CL III is 35 g lighter (1,555 g vs 1,590 g claimed per pair); the Roval Rapide CL II costs €94 less (€1,355 vs €1,449) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 51 mm front / 60 mm rear on the Rapide CL II and 51 mm front / 48 mm rear on the Rapide CL III. Both share the internal width (21 mm) and the listed tyre range (24–38 mm).

RovalRapide CL II

RovalRapide CL III

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Both on the same bike.

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

Rapide CL II Rapide CL III

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SIDE BY SIDE

Specifications.

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

Roval Rapide CL II and Roval Rapide CL III specifications
Specification	Roval Rapide CL II	Roval Rapide CL III
Claimed pair weight	1,590 g	1,555 g
Price per pair	€1,355	€1,449
Price checked	October 2026	October 2026
MSRP	€1,800	€1,798
Rim depth · front	51 mm	51 mm
Rim depth · rear	60 mm	48 mm
Internal width · front	21 mm	21 mm
Internal width · rear	21 mm	21 mm
External width · front	35 mm	35 mm
External width · rear	30 mm	31.3 mm
Listed tyre range	24–38 mm	24–38 mm
Rim type	Hooked	Hooked
Spokes · front / rear	18 / 24 · Steel	18 / 24 · Steel
Bearings	Steel	Steel
Warranty	Lifetime; conditions apply	Lifetime; conditions apply
Crash replacement	Up 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 Rapide CL III is 35 g lighter per pair (1,555 g vs 1,590 g, manufacturer claims).

Rapide CL II1,590 g

Rapide CL III1,555 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: aerodynamics, weight and crosswinds

Rim depth: 51 mm front / 60 mm rear on the Rapide CL II, 51 mm front / 48 mm rear on the Rapide CL III.

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

Different rim depths front and rear

The Rapide CL II (51 mm front / 60 mm rear) and the Rapide CL III (51 mm front / 48 mm rear) use 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.

WHICH ONE FITS

Choose by what matters to you.

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

Choose the Roval Rapide CL II if…

You want the deeper rim: 51 mm front / 60 mm rear against 51 mm front / 48 mm rear
You prefer its look: compare both on the same bike above

Full Rapide CL II profile →

Choose the Roval Rapide CL III if…

Low weight matters to you: 1,555 g, 35 g less than the Rapide CL II
You want the shallower rim: 51 mm front / 48 mm rear against 51 mm front / 60 mm rear

Full Rapide CL III profile →

Common questions.

How much lighter is the Roval Rapide CL III than the Roval Rapide CL II?

35 g. The Roval Rapide CL III has a claimed pair weight of 1,555 g, the Roval Rapide CL II 1,590 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 Rapide CL II and the Roval Rapide CL III?

€94 at our October 2026 price check: the Roval Rapide CL II cost €1,355 and the Roval Rapide CL III €1,449 per pair. Prices change; check the current offer with the retailer or manufacturer.

Your next step.

Roval Rapide CL II Check my Fit → Product profile

Roval Rapide CL 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.

Roval Rapide CL III: manufacturer product page
Show My Bike product records: Roval Rapide CL II and Roval Rapide CL III