Roval Terra Aero CLX and Terra CLX III - Specialized's new gravel wheels
Gravel is evolving rapidly. Tires have become faster, geometries more aggressive, races more competitive. One piece of the puzzle was missing: a gravel wheel designed from the ground up for aerodynamics.
Roval has just built it.
Specialized's high-end wheel brand is launching two new wheelsets: the Terra Aero CLX, designed around a novel aerodynamic profile for gravel, and the Terra CLX III, which sets new lightness records. Two different approaches, one promise: to dominate on gravel, from racing to epic weekend rides.
The "Chopped Aero" profile: a first in the world of gravel
The Terra Aero CLX is built around a technology Roval calls Chopped Aero Speed Shape — an aerodynamic profile with a truncated trailing edge, inspired by the Kamm Tail concept used in automotive aerodynamics.
The idea: in most cases, it's the leading edge and the shaping around the widest point of an object that determine aerodynamic drag — not so much the trailing edge. By cutting the rear edge of the rim, Roval achieves the aerodynamic benefits of a deep wheel, without the bulk or weight.
Result: the aerodynamic equivalent of a 70mm deep road wheel, in a 50mm front and 45mm rear format, and at a weight of 1,340g for the pair.
To get there, the engineering team evaluated over 300 digital rim shapes, modeled with real gravel tires and tested at multiple angles of incidence — a constraint absent from road wheel development, where tires are much narrower and wind conditions more predictable.
Roval Terra Aero CLX — the aerodynamic gravel wheel
Technical profile
The Terra Aero CLX is built on carbon clincher rims of 50mm (front) and 45mm (rear), with an internal width of 27mm and a 5.38mm FlatStop rim bead — the widest in the gravel market according to Roval, for increased puncture resistance.
| Front | Rear | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 50mm | 45mm |
| Internal width | 27mm | 27mm |
| External width | 38.5mm | 38.4mm |
| Number of spokes | 18H | 24H |
The spokes are ARRIS composite carbon with titanium nipples, hand-built (Hand Built). The rear wheel comes with a DT Swiss Ratchet EXP 36T freehub body in SRAM XD-R as standard, with an optional Shimano HG 11/12v body.
Both wheels use DT Sinc Ceramic bearings, a standard for equipment of this level.
Tire compatibility
The Terra Aero CLX is designed for tires between 35mm and 60mm, in tubeless clincher or tube type. The rim is hooked and the rim tape is 30mm wide.
Maximum recommended pressures:
- 35mm → 70 psi
- 36-45mm → 55 psi
- 46-50mm → 45 psi
- 51-60mm → 40 psi
What it's like on the road
The first measurements published by Gran Fondo Cycling confirm Roval's promises: 5.84 watts faster than the Terra CLX II at 40 km/h with a 45mm Tracer tire, and 91% higher puncture resistance than its predecessor.
On the track, early testers describe a nimble and reassuring wheel, with a high level of efficiency in a straight line. It doesn't have the liveliness of the CLX III in acceleration, but it compensates with astonishing ride comfort for an aero wheel — thanks in particular to the carbon spokes which absorb some of the vibrations.
Weight (official Specialized): 1,340g (pair, with valves and rim tape)
Weight (measured by Gran Fondo): 1,315g (with rim tape and SRAM freehub body)
Roval Terra CLX III — the lightness benchmark
A weight that speaks for itself
At 1,079g for the pair (including valves and rim tape), the Terra CLX III positions itself among the lightest carbon gravel wheels on the market. Gran Fondo Cycling weighed them at 1,050g in real conditions — which confirms Roval's figures.
| Front | Rear | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 25.5mm | 25.5mm |
| Internal width | 27mm | 27mm |
| External width | 38mm | 38mm |
| Number of spokes | 21H | 24H |
Same ARRIS composite spoke architecture as the Aero CLX, same Roval Low Flange hubs with DT Sinc Ceramic bearings, same DT Swiss Ratchet EXP 36T freehub body.
What has changed compared to the CLX II
The internal width increases from 25mm to 27mm, in line with current standards for gravel. Lateral compliance improves by 21.52% — which translates into a more flexible and playful wheel on varied terrain.
The FlatStop rim bead is 4.9mm, slightly narrower than on the Aero CLX but still among the widest in the segment.
On the road
The Terra CLX III is described by testers as more immediate, livelier and more responsive to acceleration than the Aero CLX. It reacts precisely to changes of direction and gives a perceptible feeling of lightness from the first accelerations.
This is the wheel for those who want to save time on climbs and in re-acceleration, and who engage in a practice where every gram counts.
Terra Aero CLX or Terra CLX III — which to choose?
| Terra Aero CLX | Terra CLX III | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (pair) | 1,340g | 1,079g |
| Front / rear depth | 50mm / 45mm | 25.5mm / 25.5mm |
| Strong point | Aerodynamics | Lightness |
| Profile | Flat racing gravel | Varied racing and gran fondo |
| Front wheel price (CAD) | $1,499.99 | $1,399.99 |
| Rear wheel price (CAD) | $1,999.99 | $1,999.99 |
| Pair price (CAD) | $3,499.98 | $3,399.98 |
Choose the Terra Aero CLX if:
- You participate in gravel events on courses where the average speed is high (mixed gravel, open and fast sections)
- You want to optimize your aerodynamics without sacrificing wide tire compatibility
- You come from road cycling and are looking for a gravel wheel that lives up to your expectations
Choose the Terra CLX III if:
- You ride on technical or hilly courses, where acceleration and re-acceleration make the difference
- You do epic long-distance rides and every gram in the wheels makes a difference over time
- You want the lightest possible gravel wheel without compromising on reliability
Common features
- Tire compatibility: 35mm to 60mm, tubeless clincher and tube type
- Hubs: Roval Low Flange Road, 12x100mm (front) / 12x142mm (rear), Centerlock
- Bearings: DT Sinc Ceramic
- Freehub body: DT Swiss Ratchet EXP 36T — SRAM XD-R (+ Shimano HG body included)
- Construction: Hand Built
- Certification: UCI Approved, ISO 5775-2
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- Maximum rider weight: 125 kg
- Not e-bike approved
- Included: 4 spare spokes + nipples, Roval Wheel Bag
Available at Bicycles Quilicot
The Roval Terra Aero CLX and Terra CLX III are available for order in our branches. Our advisors can help you determine the model best suited to your practice and configuration.
Discover our selection of wheels and wheelsets or visit us in one of our stores: Rosemont, Villeray, Laval, Sainte-Thérèse, Mascouche and Mont-Tremblant.