Roval Rapide CLX 40 vs Zipp Firecrest 303 Clincher

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

LoggingMiles
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:46 pm

by LoggingMiles

With my team deal I can get a set of Roval Rapide CLX 40s or a set of Zipp Firecrest 303s for a really good deal. When it is all said an done, the Zipps would be about 475 more than the Rovals. Do you guys think the Zipps are worth the $500 extra over the Rovals? There are not all that many reviews out there for the Rovals.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



SLCBrandon
Posts: 709
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:52 am

by SLCBrandon

I've owned both. Depends on the hubs on the 303's. If they are the newest 188 V9 hubs then I'd say they are better. That said, for the price........I don't know? I will say the new CLX40 and 60's are a great wheelset.

The CLX40's are lighter too, if I remember correctly. 100g~?

LoggingMiles
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:46 pm

by LoggingMiles

They would be the newest 188 V9 hubs. Appear to be 165g difference on paper. 1540 for the newest 303 Firecrest, and 1375 for the newest CLX 40s.

spdntrxi
Posts: 5782
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:11 pm

by spdntrxi

I have no experience with the Zip303.. but my wives bike has the CLX40's and the weight you listed above is legit.
2024 BMC TeamMachine R Building
2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
2023 Pivot E-Vault - completed project, full Xplr package

LoggingMiles
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:46 pm

by LoggingMiles

spdntrxi wrote:I have no experience with the Zip303.. but my wives bike has the CLX40's and the weight you listed above is legit.


She like the Rovals?

spdntrxi
Posts: 5782
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:11 pm

by spdntrxi

my wife wouldn't care honestly.. I like em… nearly as much as my Enve 3.4. I have nothing bad to say about the rovals.
2024 BMC TeamMachine R Building
2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
2023 Pivot E-Vault - completed project, full Xplr package

SLCBrandon
Posts: 709
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:52 am

by SLCBrandon

On second thought, CLX40's for the price, definitely.

wickedwheels
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:41 am
Location: NY

by wickedwheels

Enve 3.4's blow them both away.

SLCBrandon
Posts: 709
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:52 am

by SLCBrandon

Isn't that like someone asking "should I get an Audi S5 or a Mercedes CLS?" And you responding with "dude, a Porsche Panamera Turbo S blows them away!".

I have several sets of Enve wheels, and agree they are better than my CLX's or Zipp's, but that wasn't really the question. Apples and oranges.

LoggingMiles
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:46 pm

by LoggingMiles

I do get a discount on Enve, but more of one with Zipp or Roval. The Enves were a bit out of my range even after discount.

I ordered the Rovals today after taking one of my teammate's bikes for a test spin. Thanks all.

User avatar
willieboy
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:58 am

by willieboy

A couple of the guys in my weekend group ride the Rovals and like them very much.

User avatar
carbonLORD
in the industry
Posts: 459
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:31 pm
Contact:

by carbonLORD

Had experience on them all. Rovals are a great value, especially on the pro rate as are Zipps. Obviously Enve's will be stiffer but Zipp's have a better braking surface then all. Roval's would come in last place if it were a choice between the three but are still a great wheel, especially for the price. IMO, get the Zipp's because resale value will be greater then the Rovals. Also should they require warranty, Zipp handles it locally (in the states).

I'll add that I currently own 2013 404's v8 as well as 808's and 2014 Enve 3.4 and 6.7 (both on King R45's) and have an order in for a set of 2014 303's (for the C59) when I get back to Chicago in April. I have experience on Roval CLX 60's as well, but not the 40's FWIW.
carbonLORD.com

Terabapuno1
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:55 am

by Terabapuno1

Obviously Enve's will be stiffer but Zipp's have a better braking surface then all. Roval's would come in last place if it were a choice between the three but are still a great wheel, especially for the price. IMO,????

superdx
Posts: 524
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 1:27 pm

by superdx

Take into consideration that even the latest Zipp hubs maybe recalled. Every carbon wheel made by Zipp has been recalled to date. The fastest turnaround time for the recall was 2 weeks, but there are still people going on 5+ weeks still waiting for their wheels to come back. More so especially if you aren't in the US.

salesguy
Posts: 136
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:27 pm

by salesguy

superdx wrote:Take into consideration that even the latest Zipp hubs maybe recalled


By your logic anything and everything "may" be recalled. Wut?

I've owned numerous zipp wheels and not one of them was subject to a recall. Not sure where you are getting your information but it's not accurate.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply