Roval Rapide CLX III vs Tukus Wheels BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH
The Tukus Wheels BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH is 25 g lighter (1,280 g vs 1,305 g claimed per pair) and €2,060 cheaper (€739 vs €2,799) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 51 mm front / 48 mm rear on the Rapide CLX III and 52 mm on the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH and the listed tyre range is 24–38 mm on the Rapide CLX III and 25–32 mm on the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH. Both share the internal width (21 mm).
Drag the handle to switch between the Rapide CLX III (left) and the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH (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.
Rim depth: aerodynamics, weight and crosswinds
Rim depth: 51 mm front / 48 mm rear on the Rapide CLX III, 52 mm on the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH.
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
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.
Roval approves tyres from 24 mm to 38 mm for the Rapide CLX III. Tukus Wheels recommends tyres from 25 mm to 32 mm for the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH. This is a recommendation, not an approved limit.
Rapide CLX III24–38 mm
BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH25–32 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
The Rapide CLX III uses carbon spokes, the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH steel spokes (18/24 vs 21/21 front/rear).
Rapide CLX III 18 front / 24 rear · carbonBLUEFIN C52NEO-AH 21 front / 21 rear · steel
A carbon spoke weighs roughly half as much as a premium steel bladed spoke,1 and brands state that carbon is stiffer for its weight.2 That is why carbon-spoke versions often use fewer spokes and weigh less: Hunt's Limitless Ti_UD uses 15/18 carbon spokes against 20/24 steel spokes on the standard Limitless.3 Some reviewers describe a more direct feel when sprinting; that is a riding impression, not a measurement.5
Steel spokes such as DT Swiss Aerolite or Sapim CX-Ray are standard parts that most workshops can source and replace.4 Carbon spokes are more sensitive to side impacts, for example from a derailleur or debris, and may need brand-specific parts or tools;1 some brands include spare spokes or crash replacement to offset this.5 Visually, the lower spoke count and slim blades give carbon-spoke wheels a lighter, more open look.
The Rapide CLX III uses ceramic hub bearings, the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH 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 Rapide CLX III, 3 years on the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH; crash replacement is listed only for the Rapide CLX III.
Rapide CLX IIILifetime · crash replacement yes
BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH3 years · crash replacement no
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 Tukus Wheels BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH than the Roval Rapide CLX III?
25 g. The Tukus Wheels BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH has a claimed pair weight of 1,280 g, the Roval Rapide CLX III 1,305 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.
Which has the wider tyre range?
The Roval Rapide CLX III. Roval approves tyres from 24 mm to 38 mm for the Rapide CLX III. Tukus Wheels recommends tyres from 25 mm to 32 mm for the BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH. 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 Rapide CLX III and the Tukus Wheels BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH?
€2,060 at our October 2026 price check: the Roval Rapide CLX III cost €2,799 and the Tukus Wheels BLUEFIN C52NEO-AH €739 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.
