16 Spoke Wheels for Gravel?: Rolf Prima EOS AR Wheelset Review

rolf prima eos ar review — Rolf Prima EOS AR Wheelset

Rolf Prima EOS AR Wheelset Review

“The EOS AR is our most advanced, performance-bred wheel to date. With an all-new carbon lay-up designed specifically to maximize the ride quality and weight savings of this model, this model truly has it all and can do it all.” – Rolf Prima

“These no-limits all-road speed machines combine a light, stiff, aero, 25mm wide rim profile with ceramic bearings and stealthy, armor-coated hubs in one unbeatable package. Faster than most road-specific wheels on the pavement, yet built to withstand the rigors of gravel, our mini-hooked rims confidently take a 28mm road to 50mm gravel tire. Top of the line Enduro XD-15 ceramic bearings increase speed, efficiency, and longevity so you can ride faster, harder in any condition. The EOS AR is the pinnacle of all-road race performance.”

Rolf Prima EOS AR Wheelset Review Video

Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew presents his review video of the new to market, Rolf Prima EOS AR Wheelset. Everything is covered from technical specifications to tubeless tyre inflation, and of course, the real-world no BS review.

Continued from Above:

Official Press Release from Rolf Prima

“Oregon-based wheel company Rolf Prima is rolling out a new addition to their all-road wheel line. The new EOS AR is their most advanced, performance-bred wheel to date. Like their existing ARES AR offering, the new wheels feature a 25mm wide, 40mm deep carbon rim profile and hooked rim design. They add to that platform with an all-new carbon layup, reduced spoke count to 16 spokes front and rear, XD-15 ceramic bearings and stealth cerakoted hub shells for increased longevity and striking aesthetics. The full wheelset weighs only 1385 grams.”

“Despite the low spoke count, the EOS AR has no rider weight limit, speaking confidently about the strength and durability of the wheelset. “After the release of this wheel’s predecessor, the Ares AR, we realized that the wide, deep rim offered strength and stiffness qualities beyond any other road rim we’d designed,” says engineer, William Reen. “So we were able to make changes in the layup to reduce weight with no adverse impact on durability. Because of the specific design and layup of this rim we were also able to reduce spokes without adding unwanted flex.” Rolf Prima says the wheel has a more supple ride quality while maintaining snappy acceleration and precise steering.”

“The ‘all-road’ segment is the fastest growing segment of the sport,” says Krigbaum. “But most of the offerings out there are different meals made of the same basic ingredients. These wheels are apart from that – they’re something truly unique, and any rider that gets on them will agree.”

Rolf Prima says that placing the spokes together makes an inherently more aerodynamic wheel and equalized spoke-pull creates snappy acceleration and allows the use of fewer spokes – as evident across their line. With the EOS AR’s unique shape and rim properties, they were able to reduce the spoke count further, offering a 16/16 disc brake wheel for the first time in the company’s 25 year history.

Recommended MSRP on this wheelset is $US 2,999