- This is a new value wheelset from Specialized
- It uses a special alloy structure, to be both light and strong
- And there are Swiss bits holding it together
Specialized’s wheel sub-brand, Roval, has revealed
a new mountain bike option for riders who are mindful of budget.
If you like rolling Rovals on your mountain
bike, the brand’s new Traverse alloy range will be a welcome addition. These mountain
bike wheels retain many of the core features found in Roval’s more expensive,
and lighter, carbon-fibre wheels.
Available in both the 29er and 27.5†wheel
size, all version of the Traverse alloy use a similar rim shape and profile.
With advances in tyre design allowing
riders to use lower pressures, generating more grip on loose or wet terrain,
rims have become wider. This additional width is crucial in supporting the
tyre’s structure, at lower inflation pressure.
Industrial designers at Roval have followed
broad industry trends and settled upon 30mm, for the Traverse alloy internal
rim diameter.
American rim design, with some Swiss bits
These wheels are also shaped from E5
specification aluminium. Roval promises this grade of alloy to be robust enough
to survive terrain strikes, even if you select a particularly adventurous line
when navigating that tricky rock garden or section of roots.
DT Swiss supply spokes and hubs, to put
these new Roval wheels together. Roval uses 28 of the Swiss company’s J-bend
spokes to lace its new aluminium mountain bike wheels, which also spin DT Swiss
internals, inside Roval-branded hub casings.
Bicycle mechanics value the functional
simplicity of DT Swiss hubs and the Roval Traverse alloy wheels use the Swiss
company’s 370 LN ratchet internals. These can be easily serviced and upgraded,
without requiring special tools. Â
Proving the value of alloy wheels
What do they weigh? The Roval Traverse
alloy mountain bike wheels are 1870g if you want to roll 29er and a touch lighter,
at 1830g, for riders who prefer the more agile 27.5†wheel size.
And the weight to value proposition? These
wheels are only 70g heavier than a set of Roval Traverse carbons, at about half
the price.
There has been a resurgence in alloy technology, for mountain biking, from frames to rims. And these new Roval Traverse alloy wheels, prove that there is a viable alternative to carbon-fibre, if you are riding mountain bikes without an unlimited budget.