How does 1,415g sound for a 29/23mm wide all-mountain wheelset with US-made 7.5° engagement hubs sound? We thought it sounded pretty darn good.
New from paired-spokers Rolf Prima, the Alsea is positioned as the company’s range-topping trail/all-mountain wheelset. The mid-width carbon fibre rims measure 29mm across and 23mm hook-hook, and are laced to the company’s new XST2 hubs using 24 highly-tensioned spokes per wheel. The new hubs, custom made for Rolf Prima by White Industries, feature three pawls that each engage two of the freehub’s 48 teeth at once- halving previous models’ engagement time. Durability fans take note: freehub bodies are gouge-resistant titanium.
If the Alsea is anything like its predecessor the Ralos CXC, the wheels will be able to handle far more abuse than their weight (1,455g 27.5/1,455g 29er) would suggest. The Alsea will retail for $2,400 “soon,” a less-expensively hub’d Alsea XR for $1,900.