Specialized set a trend years ago: wide rims with low weight. The original version of the Roval Traverse wheels hit a nerve that is state of the art today. In 2024, the Americans completely redesigned their lightweight trail wheels and gave the carbon rims a new design with many useful features. Now Roval is following suit. Namely with the option of hubs from the US premium brand Industry Nine. However, it is not the high-end Hydra hubs that are used, but the price-performance model called 1/1. The advantage of this is that the Roval wheels remain on the cheaper side when compared with other lightweight system wheels with carbon rims.
In addition to the i9 version, both wheelsets will continue to be available with DT-Swiss hubs. The top model and lightweight remains the set with the lightweight DT 240 hubs. At 1645 grams, it remains the undisputed lightest trail wheelset from Roval - but it is also significantly more expensive. With the i9 hubs, the wheel is roughly on a par with the DT 350 set in terms of price and weight (1780 g).
Roval wants to have optimised its wheels in terms of both weight and durability for the new 2024 edition. These are two areas that do not always harmonise well, especially on wheels. At the heart of the latest update are the new rims. Compared to its predecessor, Specialized promises a 15 per cent increase in stability on the front wheel. On the rear wheel, it should even be 25 per cent. The asymmetrical rim profile allows the 28 spokes per wheel to be evenly tensioned. This should also increase durability.
Roval has also revised the rim flange. An enlarged contact surface should protect the tyre from up to 85 percent greater loads before a puncture occurs. The flatter profile of the rims should also have a positive effect on the riding behaviour. Specialized claims 21 percent more vertical flex and claims to have optimised the carbon layup. The rims are specifically designed for the front and rear wheels. On the trail, this should result in greater riding precision and a more flexible response to rough terrain.
Worry-free thanks to a lifetime guarantee?
Expensive wheels have a problem, especially on trail and enduro bikes. In tough terrain, wheels virtually go into close combat with roots, stone fields and rock edges. Specialized wants to take these worries away from its customers with a lifetime guarantee. Prerequisite: The Roval wheels must be registered online within 90 days of purchase.
Roval Traverse SL II i9 1/1 wheels
The lightweight version of the Traverse wheels is called SL II. However, these round wheels are also approved for e-bikes. These are not cross-country wheels, but genuine trail and all-mountain products. At 1780 grams per set, this is also reflected in the weight. Light, but not record-breaking.
- Asymmetric carbon rims with 30 mm inner rim width
- 29 inch only
- i9 1/1 hubs
- 6-hole disc mount
- 28 spokes v + h (DT Swiss Competition)
- Tyre width 2.3 - 2.6 inches
- Weight: 1780 g (809 front / 971 rear)
- Weight release: 125 kg system weight
- Price: front wheel 650 euros, rear wheel 850 euros
- Calibrated by hand
- Approved for e-bike use
Roval Traverse HD i9 1/1 wheels
The HD version uses reinforced rims. Roval speaks of the "most stable trail carbon wheel we have ever tested". At 50 grams per set, the additional weight is kept within limits. Even though all the wheels shown here are approved for E-MTBs, Specialized recommends the HD version, at least on the rear wheel. The HD rear wheel is also available in 27.5 inches, while the SL is only available in 29 inches. This makes it suitable for the popular E-MTB combination of 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear. Too bad: The Traverse HD also has a system weight limit of 125 kilos. With a heavier e-MTB and some luggage, things can get tight even with rider weights of just over 90 kilos.
- Asymmetric carbon rims with 30 mm inner rim width
- 29 inch or Mullet (rear wheel also 27.5 inch)
- i9 1/1 hubs
- 6-hole disc mount
- 28 spokes front / 32 spokes rear (DT Swiss Competition)
- Tyre width 2.3 - 2.6 inches
- Weight: 1830 g (812 front / 1018 rear)
- Weight release: 125 kg system weight
- Price: front wheel 650 euros, rear wheel 850 euros
- Calibrated by hand
- Approved for e-bike use
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
