When it comes to climbing gear, weight is still king, but comfort and control matter just as much. Roval’s new Alpinist Cockpit II and Alpinist CLX III wheelset lean hard into that balance, promising lighter numbers, smarter ergonomics, and better compliance without losing the razor-sharp feel the Alpinist line is known for.
Roval Alpinist Cockpit II
One-piece and weighing just 270 grams (400 x 100), the second-generation Alpinist cockpit is light. Specialized says the updated fit and shaping incorporate rider feedback, based on literally over 100,000 Body Geometry fits. It’s not a bad thing to have access to so many fit files when designing new products.
However, this updated fit also incorporates anti-fatigue features to reduce hand fatigue. The updated oval tops are designed to ease palm pressure, and a redesigned D-shape reduces hand pressure while increasing the surface area on the tops by 12%. For those who like a little extra for the sprint, a newly updated four-degree flare helps wrists fall into a natural, neutral angle on the bars. Plus, it feels better when you’re sprinting (at least in my opinion).
Compared to the Rapide one-piece cockpit, the new layup claims 28.3% more damping, resulting in a quieter ride and reduced fatigue on long climbs or rough descents. The update includes some practical mechanical enhancements, such as updated internal cable routing for an ultra-clean silhouette and seamless integration into existing specialized frames. Importantly, it’s still compatible with traditional bar-and-stem setups, so riders don’t have to commit to proprietary integration fully.
Roval Alpinist Cockpit II – Tech Details
Available Sizes – Roval Alpinist Cockpit II (all with 4° Flare)
- 80mm × 380mm
- 90mm × 380mm 90mm × 400mm, 90mm × 420mm
- 100mm × 380mm, 100mm × 400mm, 100mm × 420mm
- 110mm × 380mm, 110mm × 400mm, 110mm × 420mm, 110mm × 440mm
- 120mm × 400mm, 120mm × 420mm, 120mm × 440mm
- 130mm × 400mm
- Price: $699.00
- Available: Now
Alpinist CLX III
The trusted Alpinist CLX wheelset returns, but now in an even leaner package: 1,131 grams for the set. The weight savings come courtesy of new Roval Aero Composite spokes by Arris (the same used in the new Rapide wheels), shaving 103.5 grams and delivering tensile strength that Roval claims outperforms steel.
Those spokes are laced to newly designed, lightweight Roval hubs with DT Swiss 180 internals, bringing freehub reliability and Swiss precision into the equation.
Unlike some featherweight climbing wheels that flirt with hookless beads, Roval sticks with hooked rims here, citing better tire retention, flat protection, and long-term durability. For riders pushing 28-30mm (heck, even 32mm) tires up alpine passes, that’s a reassuring spec choice.
Roval Alpinist CLX III – Wheel Specs
Front Rim: Model: Alpinist CLX III Carbon Clincher, 700c (CR2474)
Front Rim Dimensions
- Depth: 33mm
- External Width (at widest point): 26.5mm
- Internal Width: 21mm
- Bead Hook Width: 2.75mm, hooked
Rear Rim: Model: Alpinist CLX III Carbon Clincher, 700c (CR2475)
Rear Rim Dimensions
- Depth: 33mm
- External Width (at widest point): 26.5mm
- Internal Width: 21mm
- Bead Hook Width: 2.75mm hooked
- Wheel Size / ETRTO: 622 × 21 (700c)
- Hole Count: Front: 21H, Rear: 24H
- Price: $3,200
The Climber’s Combo
Together, the Alpinist Cockpit II and CLX III wheels are clearly designed for the rider who loves climbing but refuses to sacrifice control or comfort to save grams. Both products pull from pro-level testing but carry updates that will matter to anyone riding big elevation days—wider comfort zones, cleaner routing, and damping that takes the sting out of rough tarmac.
Roval already has the Rapide line covering aero and all-rounder needs. The Alpinist series now doubles down on what the name suggests: pure, efficient, confidence-inspiring climbing gear.
