Product news: On the hunt for best times, every gram too much on the bike can mean victory. However, XC racers are not only dependent on lightweight material in competition, but also in the ambitious hobby sector. With the new Roval Control SL Team Issue 29" MTB wheelset, Specialized's own brand is aimed at all riders who definitely have no time to lose.
With a weight of only 1248 grams (with rim tape and tubeless valves), the new Roval Control SL Team Issue wheelset could compete with many road wheelsets. However, the weight alone is only half the battle, the wheels must of course also be stable and reliable. A difficult balancing act that required a great deal of know-how and sensitivity from the Roval engineers during development. Through rigorous prototype development and a series of sophisticated test protocols - both in the laboratory and in the field - the manufacturer promises longevity and durability that, according to its own statements, is second to none.
Control SL Team Issue wheelset: Carbon rims and the lightest hubs Roval has ever made
The Carbon Control rim with an internal width of 29 mm was designed by Roval to meet the high demands of modern XC riders and trail riders in particular. The focus here is on lateral rigidity for precise steering behavior, but also slight vertical flexibility in order to achieve a certain level of damping comfort. These properties ensure precise handling without transmitting hard impacts to the driver, which in turn reduces fatigue and improves lap times. So that the performance on the trail doesn't fall victim to the plate devil, the new rim profile also has a 4 mm wide flank. According to Roval, it takes 22% more force to provoke a Puncture.
The heart of the Control SL Team Issue wheels are the lightest hubs from Roval. DT Swiss inner workings and sealed ceramic bearings are used here. Both the front and rear wheels are double crossed. The very limited wheels are built by hand, the price for the pair is 1.999,00 euros.