Buyer’s Guide: Roval Gravel Wheels
What wheels are right for you?
Specialized’s wheel brand, Roval, brings their expertise in carbon layups to the gravel market with a unique lineup of all-terrain wheels. There are a few options to choose from – so we’ve created this guide to help you find a wheel that suits your needs.
Gravel Racing vs. Adventure Riding
Within the world of gravel, there is a spectrum of riding styles ranging from full-gas racing to leisurely adventure riding and bikepacking. Different styles demand different equipment as a lightweight race wheel is probably not the right choice for heavy-duty bikepacking and, likewise, a stouter adventure wheel will feel clunky if raced competitively. Some models manage to do a little of both – while these may not be the best in either category, they tend to be an excellent choice for riders who like to dabble in a little bit of everything.
&w=1600&h=900&fmt=auto)
Terra CLX II
Just because it’s a gravel wheel doesn’t mean it can’t be light. Shockingly, the Terra CLX II is actually lighter than the lightest Roval road wheelset – this is partially because it forgoes aerodynamics in favor of a 32mm rim depth while still utilizing the lightweight hubs from the Alpinist CLX road wheels. Needless to say, Roval’s top-of-the-line gravel wheelset is designed for competition at the highest levels.
MSRP: $2500
Recommended Tire Size: 28 – 47mm
Rim Depth: 32mm (Front & Rear)
Claimed Weight: 1250g (Set)
Terra CL
Taking its cues from the CLX wheelset, the Terra CL boasts the same high-performance design with a few heavier components such as the DT Swiss 350 hubs. Still a formidable race wheel, the Terra CL weighs in at just slightly over 1400 grams.
MSRP: $1750
Recommended Tire Size: 28 – 47mm
Rim Depth: 32mm (Front & Rear)
Claimed Weight: 1408g (Set)
&w=1600&h=900&fmt=auto)
&w=1600&h=900&fmt=auto)
Terra C
Budget-friendly but not lacking in specification, the Terra C is the all-rounder carbon gravel wheel for the masses. A little heavier, but still raceable, the Terra C is an excellent choice for adventure and bikepacking due to its sturdier design. For gravel riders looking to conquer local fire roads or PR on a flow trail, the Terra C provides the means.
MSRP: $1000
Recommended Tire Size: 28 – 47mm
Rim Depth: 32mm (Front & Rear)
Claimed Weight: 1610g (Set)
One Wheel to Rule Them All
Many people choose a gravel bike because it can tackle nearly any terrain. When paired with the right tire, these Roval wheels are capable of riding anything from smooth pavement to chunky rocks.
Tubeless Technology
All these Roval wheels are tubeless-ready – meaning the rim tape is pre-installed and all you have to do is put a tubeless tire on and add sealant. Our testing at Performance Bicycle has found that Roval rims are among the easiest to set up for tubeless.
Centerlock Disc Brakes
Roval gravel wheels are compatible with centerlock brake rotors. This has become the standard for gravel wheels and there are rotor options available from all major brands.
Hub Spacing
All Roval gravel wheels are spec’d to match the industry standard thru axle hub spacing of 12 x 100mm (front) and 12 x 142mm (rear). While it’s worth double-checking, it is most likely that these wheels will fit your gravel bike
Freehub Bodies
All Roval gravel wheels ship with a standard Shimano 11/12 speed HG-style freehub. This works for most Shimano cassettes; though, 10-speed and lower require a spacer. It also works with SRAM road cassettes up to 11-speed and many other aftermarket options.
To run Shimano GRX 12-speed you will need to swap out the freehub for a Micro Spline freehub body. Likewise, 12-speed SRAM cassettes require a SRAM XDR Body. Depending on the hub your wheelset has, there are also freehubs bodies for Campagnolo cassettes.
No-Fault Crash Replacement & Lifetime Warranty
Roval carbon wheels are backed by their No Fault Crash Replacement Policy which provides two years of coverage for wheel damage that occurs while riding. On top of that, the Lifetime Warranty provides the original owner with coverage for defects in materials and workmanship.
Explore Further:
