Tested: Roval's No-Nonsense Traverse SL Wheelset

After a few years of real-world testing, Roval went back to the drawing board with their entire series of mountain wheels before launching things last summer in Whistler. The latest Roval series features a number of refinements and has the potential to put the Roval wheelset near the top of everybody’s aftermarket upgrade list. Let's dig in.

Roval Traverse SL Highlights

• Available in 27.5” and 29” wheel sizes
• Hookless carbon fiber rim with 30mm inner width
• 2Bliss Ready
• Alloy hubs with Step Flanges
• DT Swiss 240 hub internals
• DT Swiss Competition Race J-bend spokes
• Adaptors to accommodate all rear axle standards
• SRAM XD and Shimano freehub compatible
• 28 spokes front and rear
• Limited lifetime warranty and **IT Happens policy
• Weight: 1,690g (27.5”) / 1,735g (29”)
• MSRP: $1,600 USD

Initial Impressions

Out of the box, the relatively understated graphics of the Roval Traverse SL wheelset was somewhat refreshing. We appreciate that some folks love bright colors and bold graphics, but the understated Traverse SL takes the opposite approach and looks good doing it. They have plenty of bling factor but do not clamor for attention.

The wheels were quiet, creak free, and have not required a single visit to a truing stand. Running without inserts also meant that the rims suffered a number of hard impacts which had zero influence on the rim cosmetically or functionally.

At less than 1,800-grams, these wheels are svelte for the abuse they can tolerate. What left us more impressed is how little drag there was. The wheel bearings roll extremely smoothly and notably faster than most wheelsets, which meant they actually felt lighter on the trail than the scale would suggest. They did not feel slow on a 110mm cross-country bike, which isn’t the case for a number of enduro capable wheels we have tried on short-travel rigs. The DT Swiss freehub operates smoothly and the quick engagement provided near instant power.

Things That Could Be Improved

No doubt Roval’s engineers are already looking for the next improvement for the Traverse SL, but we were hard-pressed to find fault with them during over three months of riding. Once we mounted them and made a few notes, we rode them daily and did not truly appreciate them until we swapped back to a less expensive and less refined mid-range wheelset.

At the original $1,900 USD price point they were quite a bit more expensive than the previous Traverse SL wheelset, and $800 more than the Traverse Carbon version. Roval has since reduced the price to $1,600 USD. The more affordable Traverse Carbon version lacks a few of the features that make the top-tier SL such a great product, but most working class folks will have a tough time justifying the added expense.

Long Term Durability

With DT Swiss hub internals, a generous warranty extending to a second owner, and a **IT Happens policy, it is evident that the folks at Roval are confident in the durability of their products. We expected our Traverse SL wheelset to require little maintenance and thankfully we were not let down. We spent months riding in dismally wet conditions, which included a chilly stint where temperatures were in the thirties. 

The wheels were quiet, creak free, and have not required a single visit to a truing stand. Running without inserts also meant that the rims suffered a number of hard impacts which had zero influence on the rim cosmetically or functionally. When a spoke does eventually let go, it is nice to know that we will be able to use easily sourced J-bend spokes. 

What’s The Bottom Line?

Even after a recent price reduction, the Roval Traverse SL wheelset costs a pretty penny. Fortunately, the performance, ease of maintenance, and serviceability are top-notch. The wheels have tolerated enough abuse to confirm that they can handle enduro racing and the weight and rolling speed means they are even capable of cross-country duties. They were never harsh, nor did they deflect as some carbon wheelsets do. The wheels are also much quieter on the trail than the previous version. Combined with a great warranty, the Roval Traverse SL wheelset is a great way to increase the performance and bling factor of any bike.

Check out www.rovalcomponents.com more information. 

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About The Reviewer

Joel Harwood - Age: 35 // Years Riding: 20+ // Height: 5’11” (1.80m) // Weight: 185-pounds (83.9kg)

Joel’s unique coaching background and willingness to tinker with products bring an objective perspective to testing. He dabbles in all types of racing, but is happiest simply exploring the limitless trail networks surrounding his home of Squamish, BC. Attention to detail, time in the saddle, and an aggressive riding style make Joel a rider that demands the most from his products while exposing any shortcomings. 

Photos by Jessie McAuley and Joel Harwood