Description Named after the prodigious climbing stage of the Tour de France, the D’HUEZ shares the same ROL hubset as the RACE SL and carbon models but sheds weight with the use of the world-renowned SAPIM CX-RAY...
Summary: I purchased these wheels 11 months ago. Built on Sapim CX rays, the wheels are very light(1450g) and very durable.
Compared to my old wheels(Bontrager race), I can tell quite a different league of acceleration and handling on the first day of riding on the wheels. I can feel the power transmitted instantly on this wheel.
They stayed true over 3000 mile before I was involved in a bad crash.
Customer services are just amazing. Sean replaced my rear wheel rim and spokes for free. He even replaced front wheel bearing with new CERAMIC bearing!!!
At a price of $600 (including two new conti 4000), you never find this quality and lightweight wheels. Simply, Rol wheel makes the best value wheels on the market.
Weaknesses: People don't recognize the brand. So every single time I have to explain how wonderful this wheel is.
UPS doesn't pick up the wheel quickly for delivery.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager race
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Summary: These wheels are both loud and sexy. They look great on my rig and we all know how important this is.
I may be a rec rider but I ride hard and I know the value of good equipment and the effect it has on my ride. I came off a set of Shimano R500 and I was looking for some improvemment and boy have I found it.
In my first week using these wheels, I managed to crack every one of my PRs. My time trial speeds are averaging .7 mph faster over a 25 mile course. Out of the shoot from an almost stand still, I have managed to increase my sprint speed by 3 mph.
These wheels are very stiff which makes them excellent for climbing, hence the name, D'Huez. The power transformation on hill attacks is simply incredible. I feel 100% of my effort is transformed right to the pavement where it belongs. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to crack my frame in half.
The stiff build also allow for excellent cornering at high speeds. On a one+ mile pure glide-only decent, I have gained 4 mph over my old wheels. On decents where I spin, I have gained 3.5 mph over the old wheels. These wheels give me a strong sense of security on my high-speed decents which I never had on my old wheels.
Even on the flats, my ride feels more secure and efficient. I just feel better.
Customer service is fantastic. Sean and I exchanged numerous emails during the ordering and build process. Sean and his crew put a lot of pride into these wheels and that has translated into an excellent product. These wheels, by far, has been one of my best cycling related investments. They have truely improved my riding enjoyment. In my opinion, they are worth every penny.
Strengths: Stiff, light, aerodynamic, loud and sexy.
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: Shimano R500
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Bike Setup: Scott CR1 SL, Ultegra SL / Dura Ace mix, ROL D'Huez.
Summary: Purchased 2 of these wheelsets from Sean about 3 months ago when building up new bikes for the wife and I.
Customer service was brilliant. I was able to get Sapim CX Rays instead of the DT Swiss spokes and custom decals for no extra charge. The wheels were well packaged and shipped fast.
The finish and quality is awesome for the price. Even from new you can spin the wheels in your hands and feel the quality of the bearings. The all black look is very nice / stealthy.
I am near the upper weight limit for the wheels at 80kg. I'm reasonably strong but I find them really stiff and responsive. They have stayed true and don't need to be babied. During sprints they explode forward but I can't get them to rub the pads.
My wife has the other set and she is tiny (but gorgeous)at 44kg. Amazingly, she finds them pretty comfortable and aero but doesn't get blown around in cross winds. She says they are the best climbers she has ridden and we have tried a few.
This is the ultimate do anything wheel.
Strengths: Strength to weight ratio. Value for money. Looks. Re-buildable. Customer service gives great confidence. Honesty with specs (you knjow you're getting what you expect.)
Weaknesses: None which we can see. A friend has borrowed mine for a triathlon and surprisingly went faster over the 72km course than on his very expensive Bontrager carbons. Now I can't get them off him!!?? (I think he'll be contacting you soon Sean.)
Similar Products Used: Ksyrium SL & ES (Spin up quickly but then seem dead at speed), Dura Ace Scandiums (good but feel softer than these), Ritchey WCS Protocol (no comparison), American Classic CR 420 & 350 (feel sort of similar but are fragile), Campag Proton, Neutron, Scirocco, Zonda & Eurus (all nice wheels but only Eurus and Neutron are getting near these), Bontrager Carbon (rubbish... god only knows how Lance won the TDF on these???)
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Bike Setup: Primus Mootry custom built frame, Scandium and Carbon mix.
Campagnolo 10spd drivetrain, Rotor Agilis cranks, Enduro ceramic Bottom bracket and Enduro Ceramic pulley wheels. Rol wheels, Challenge open tubular tires, Crank Bros pedals
Summary: I've been using these Rol wheels for the past 6 months and have been extremely impressed with a number of important factors. The wheels have been treated hard in Cyclocross races and training on rocky terrain. Also the have suffered with numerous airline trips (read= a lot of abuse from luggage handlers)
The wheels are very light. Compared to wheelsets from Mavic, Campagnolo and Shimano these wheels are going up against some very stiff competition. I've found the wheels ride very very well. Acceleration and cornering are two of the noticeable features of these wheels. Additionally, the wheels have stayed true despite riding in some very challenging conditions. The bearing and seal design is something that really stands out on these wheels. There is very very little bearing drag, something that most wheel companies suffer from. Dirt penetration from off-road riding on the cross bike is not a problem
A fantastic pair of wheels for a really good price.
One last thing, Rol wheels has put customer service as it's number one priority,something that other brands just don't care about. Rol takes care of individual buyers. This is something I really value in a product.
Strengths: Strength, durability and low maintenance. They accelerate really well and corner very well. A sign of a well designed wheelset
Weaknesses: Have to order them online, they aren't stocked by the local bike shop. Maybe local stores should look into these wheels and stock them. Their customers would be very happy
Similar Products Used: Shimano Dura Ace, Mavic Kysrium, Campagnolo Shamal, Cane Creek Aros, Campagnolo Neutron
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Favorite Ride: Garden of the Gods loop, Colorado Springs
Bike Setup: Trek Madone SL, Campy Record Carbon compact grouppo, ROL D'Huez, Bontrager XXX-lite fork, DEDA Forza stem and Electa bars, KEO carbon pedals, Easton EA90 seatpost with Selle Italia SLR saddle
Summary: First of all, let me say that all of my dealings with ROL were personal. Sean Lambert (founder of ROL) called me personally to go over the build. All details of the build were discussed with me as were the recommendations for weight limits, etc. I'm 6' and 165. I ride between 100 - 150 miles per week and love these wheels. At 1450 gm and $600, nothing out there comes close. I actually got them for $500 during a promotion and they came clad with Continental Gran Prix 4000's free. That's an additional $100 value! These things are bomber and I too do some curb hopping. No loss of true yet. The reduced spin weight is definitely noticeable over my old Easton Circuits, especially when climbing here in the Springs.
Strengths: -Lightweight
-Well built
-DT Swiss spokes!
-Did I mention that they are lightweight?
Weaknesses: -Lightweight: Clydesdales need not apply
-That's it so far!
Similar Products Used: Easton Circuit
Bontrager race-lite
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