Deep at the front, shallower at the rear and squared off where others are rounded, the Terra Aero CLX sees Roval rewrite the aero playbook twice over. The staggered rim depths reverse the usual approach, and the rims finish in a flat, chopped-off edge. Composite spokes, low weight and proven DT Swiss technology complete a package that aims to excel everywhere. The question is whether this unconventional formula can compete with the best in our big gravel wheel group test.This wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.Roval Terra Aero CLX | 1,341 g | 3,498 | Manufacturer websiteAs Specializeds in-house wheel brand, Roval is a fixture in the professional road peloton and just as at home on gravel. The Terra Aero range carries the brands road racing aero expertise off-road, pairing an unusual flat-edged rim profile with a distinctive bead edge and composite spokes. In our first standalone review, the Terra Aero CLX won us over with its efficiency and comfort. This group test puts that verdict up against far stronger opposition.A Cut Above The Roval Carbon Gravel Wheelset in DetailThe rims make Rovals unconventional thinking clear at a glance. A 50 mm deep front and a 45 mm deep rear reverse the usual aero logic of a shallower front and deeper rear, while a flattened edge, which Roval calls its Chopped Aero Speed Shape, is claimed to deliver maximum aerodynamic efficiency at minimal weight. A 5.38 mm wide FlatStop rim edge adds protection against pinch flats. With an internal width of 27 mm and an external width of 38.5 mm, the rims grow our 45 mm Continental Competition control tire to 46.3 mm at the front and 46.2 mm at the rear. At 1,341 g on our scales, the Roval is also among the lightest wheelsets in the test.Turning things around With a 50 mm deep front rim and 45 mm rear, Roval reverse the conventional aero approach.Chop it! The flat-topped rim profile divides opinion, but it certainly gives the wheels a distinctive appearance.FlatStop The 5.38 mm wide, flattened rim edge is designed to protect against pinch flats.The spokes are just as unconventional. Roval use Arris aero composite spokes made from thermoplastic with titanium ends, 18 at the front and 24 at the rear, which they claim are stronger and lighter than steel. The hubs, by contrast, rely on proven DT Swiss internals, shared with the popular DT Swiss 180 with Ratchet EXP and SINC ceramic bearings, and the freehubs sound leaves no doubt about its origins. Black decals and black-chrome hubs keep the look understated, but the silver nipples jar with an otherwise clean finish. At 3,498, the Terra Aero CLX is the third most expensive wheelset in the test, yet it does little to look the part.Composite over steel The Arris thermoplastic composite spokes are designed to be stronger and lighter than conventional steel spokes.Black chrome Proven DT Swiss 180 technology is housed in an understated shell, with only the silver nipples disrupting the clean appearance.Everybodys Darling The Roval Terra Aero CLX on TestOn our test route, the Roval reveal themselves as genuine all-rounders, performing convincingly in virtually every situation without specialising in any particular discipline. Their stiffness is relatively moderate for wheels with composite spokes and feels almost perfectly matched to gravel riding. They cant match the explosive acceleration of the CADEX, but their lightweight spokes provide a welcome dose of liveliness when sprinting or climbing.Compliance is surprisingly good. For a composite-spoked wheelset, the Roval is pleasantly comfortable while retaining enough firmness for precise handling. In typical Roval fashion, it feels slightly more forgiving than many competitors, which works particularly well on rough terrain. In corners, the Roval steers precisely and progressively without feeling excessively direct or overly soft. On trails, it finds its line reliably while remaining responsive enough for confident steering and quick reactions. Ultimately, these are the wheels you barely mention after a ride, simply because everything worked exactly as it should.Two Tests Are Better Than One? The Roval Terra Aero CLX in the Wind TunnelOn the road, the Roval wheelset impresses with its balanced performance. But how does its unusual flat-edged rim profile fare in the wind tunnel? Subjectively, it feels fast and efficient, although we wouldnt place it at the very top of the field. Its rims are neither particularly deep nor especially wide relative to our test tires. We mounted the Roval twice in the wind tunnel and obtained two different results. With a rider on board at 36 km/h, one measurement showed it needing 0.8 W more than our reference wheelset, the DT Swiss GRC 1100, while the other showed a 1.1 W advantage. Over 40 km, that corresponds to a 5.4-second disadvantage or a 7.7-second advantage respectively. Both results fall within the measurement tolerance, but they lend some support to Rovals claim that the wheelset is optimized for real-world conditions, rider included.Conclusions about the Roval Terra Aero CLXVersatility is the Roval Terra Aero CLXs greatest strength. Its as convincing on tarmac as on gravel and trails, and while it doesnt excel in any single discipline, it rarely puts a foot wrong. Low weight pairs with surprising comfort for a wheelset with composite spokes, and the unconventional rims prove their worth technically. If outright acceleration is your priority, there are more explosive options. For 3,498, however, the Roval delivers a wheelset you can trust on almost any ride, backed by a lifetime warranty.TopsBalanced handling for almost every type of ridingLow weightPlenty of comfort despite composite spokesCleverly designed rim detailsFlopsRims not particularly wide for modern gravel tyresSilver nipples spoil the clean appearanceMore information at specialized.com.The Test FieldThis wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.All wheels on test: CADEX Max GXR | DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro | Fulcrum Sharq GR | HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD | Leeze CH 60 PRO GX | Light Bicycle AG48 | NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | OQUO RP50LTD CS | Reserve 48|53 GR | Roval Terra Aero CLX | Vision SC 45 i30 | Zipp 303 XPLR SWDer Beitrag Roval Terra Aero CLX Gravel Wheelset on Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.