It’s that time. Looking to upgrade the wheels on my crux. First big wheel buy.
Here’s the idea: seeing great deals on the Terra evo 700c (30mm internal) for 1.2k.
https://www.specialized.com/sg/en/roval-terra-clx-evo-wheelset/p/174202?color=278164-174202
Also looking at a used/ unridden set of current gen Terra CL 700c (25mm internal) for 1.2k.
I see the hubs are better on the clx evo. 50 grams lighter. Fits larger tire.
CLs have the DT350 hubs. Can accommodate smaller tires.
Any personal insight? I currently have run tires between 35-38mm. Would like to try a 40-42. Baby steps. Also like the idea of having a road forward crux. Around my home base I ride a mix of 80% road 20% gravel with monthly trips to a gravel only riding spot.
My initial thoughts. The clx evo is the better value, the CL is a more all around option. What are your thoughts? What’s the most logical choice?
Cheers!
by Avdrew
6 Comments
30mm internal is a mountain bike rim that I wouldn’t use with less than a 2.2″ (55/56mm) tire or so. Personally I’d go with the CL for standard gravel tire sizes in the 40-50mm range.
Just buy multiple terra c’s… no reason to spend 1000’s more 300 less grams.
While I get the value of wider rims, I like having the option of running 28 or 32 road tires, and 30mm internal is a little wide to safely do that. I’d go CL myself.
Plus I’m not really convinced that the integrated ratchet design of EXP hubs is inherently better than the regular DT Swiss internals on the 350, other than saving a little weight. If you wanted to upgrade to a 54t ratchet on EXP, for example, you’d need to buy some specific tools, whereas on the non-EXP you can just swap the ratchets with your fingers. Seems more like something they invented just because the patent expired on their old design.
CLX Evos are better in every way unless you plan to run tires less than ~38mm wide. I run them and they’re absolutely fantastic wheels. I’ve also put tons of miles on the Terra Cs (25mm internal) and the added width with reduced weight is like cheating.
My advice, if you want a road forward bike and want to ride 40-44mm tires is not to buy either of those options.
Look into the new breed of deep and wide gravel rims. 3T was one of the first to market with a 44mm deep by 30mm rim. Then you run tires that WAM are very close to the 40 external width of the rim. You get more aero benefits that way and the tire has nice profile. Since you ware more “road forward” you get the aero benefits and wider tires. Then, if you do want to ride more rugged roads or trails you can easily go wider. I have the Light Bicycle version of this rim which is 44×30 and run Thundero 48’s WAM of 49.75 on the rougher stuff I mostly ride. Nextie actually make the 3T rim and sell complete wheels for a lot less. Of course there are the Zipp XPLR versions but they are also too expensive in my opinion.
I used the LB WG44, DT240’s and Berd spokes =1217gm
Could easily get under 1400gm with XC-Ray spokes for less money.
I have a set of 700c roval terra cl with 42mm tires on one bike and a set of 650b roval terra clx evo with 2.2 on another bike. They’re both great wheelsets but really depends what kind of riding you want to do. Most people are prob better off with roval terra cl.
I use the 650b clx evo for slow rough climbing, it has really low gearing.