Specialized ROVAL CLX 32 700c RIM BRAKE CARBON WHEELSET

When we set out to create a lightweight wheelset, we didn't want it to be "just another climbing wheel." We wanted to provide the lightest wheelset out there with the aerodynamic attributes of something twice its depth. One wheel that'll get you to the base of a climb quickly and up it as efficiently as possible, yet still be strong enough for day-to-day abuse. It was a tall order, but in the end, the CLX 32 gave us more than what we asked for.

Our design process started with a low overall weight at the forefront, as we knew what weight we could hit with the information and technology we had available. With that weight in mind, we then turned our focus to aerodynamics and began an iterative process of designing and testing over 150 individual rims to find the optimal shape. These innumerable Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, Win Tunnel hours, and shots of espresso left us with a 32mm-deep shape that boasts more logged wind tunnel time than any other wheel in its category. Once we found the most aerodynamic shape, at the 32-millimter depth, we came back to the weight focus and proceeded to experiment with over 40 different layup methods to reach our desired weight. And this made the CLX 32 lighter and faster than every other competitor in the lightweight wheel category.

For the CLX 32 clincher front and rear are mated the rim to our Aero Flange (AF) series hub with DT Swiss Aero spokes in order to create the best overall wheel system. This resulted in a 553-gram, 21mm-wide (internal width) front wheel and a 730-gram, 21mm-wide (internal width) rear wheel with both having an an extremely low inertia value.