Rolf Prima Ares4 Rim Brake Wheelset
The Rolf Prima Ares4 rim brake wheelset brings Rolf's 42mm Delta carbon rim to caliper-brake road bikes. At 1430 grams for the pair (625g front, 805g rear) with only 16 spokes per wheel, it is lighter than the disc version by 90 grams while offering the same aero rim shape, the same tubeless compatibility and the same US-made hub internals.
If you ride a rim brake road bike and want a modern aero carbon wheel rather than a leftover from a closeout bin, the Ares4 rim brake set is one of very few current-production options, and it is built to order in Eugene, Oregon rather than pulled from a warehouse. It suits riders on high-end rim brake frames from the last decade who intend to keep riding them.
Paired-spoke lacing is what makes a 16-spoke carbon aero wheel workable. Each pair of spokes meets the rim together so the left and right pull cancel at the pair, which means the rim is not stressed between single spokes and can be built true with fewer of them. On the Ares4 rim brake wheelset that translates directly into lower weight and less spoke drag at the front of the wheel.
Design and construction
Rolf builds the Ares4 rim brake wheelset on a carbon clincher rim, 42mm deep, 20mm inner width, with a machined carbon brake track. It is tubeless compatible and ships taped. The Delta profile is the same shape Rolf uses on the disc Ares4, so crosswind behavior is identical; the only rim difference is the brake surface.
Hubs are Rolf's TdF 4.4, the quick release rim brake counterpart to the XST 4.4. They are designed and manufactured in the USA, assembled in Eugene, and use Enduro steel cartridge bearings with an optional ceramic Enduro Zero upgrade from Rolf. The rear has the T2 high engagement drive with its 48-tooth ring and three sprung steel pawls. The freehub is CNC-machined 6Al-4V titanium in Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR 11/12, Campagnolo 11/12 or Campagnolo N3W.
Spokes are Sapim CX Speed bladed, 16 front and 16 rear, paired. Axles are quick release front and rear. Rolf includes carbon-specific brake pads with the set along with tubeless tape and Certainty coverage.
How it rides
The Ares4 rim brake wheelset feels quick in every direction. It is light enough that you notice it on climbs, and the 42mm rim carries speed on rollers and into headwinds in a way a box-section alloy wheel never will. The 16-spoke lacing is stiffer than the number suggests because paired spokes can be tensioned higher than a conventional lacing, though this is still a light wheel and Rolf points heavier or harder-riding customers toward the Vigor or Ares6.
Braking on the Ares4 rim brake wheelset is on carbon, so use the pads Rolf supplies and expect a firmer lever feel than alloy, especially in the wet. The wheel suits road racers and fast club riders on rim brake bikes, riders doing rolling centuries, and anyone who wants an aero wheel without taking on the weight of a 60mm rim. Riders who mostly climb might prefer the shallower Ares3 rim brake set.
Specifications
| Wheel type | Road |
|---|---|
| Rim | Carbon clincher |
| Rim depth | 42mm |
| Rim width | 20mm inner |
| Brake | Rim Brake |
| Spoke count (F/R) | 16/16 |
| Spokes | Sapim CX Speed, bladed |
| Hubset | TdF 4.4 T2 High Engagement Enduro steel cartridge bearings |
| Front axle | QR |
| Rear axle | QR |
| Freehub | Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR 11/12, Campagnolo 11/12, N3W |
| Tire size | Please refer to chart in product images |
| Weight | 1430g [625g/805g] |
| Includes | Taped for |
What this page sells
About this Ares4 Rim Brake Wheelset listing. The choices on this page are driver type: Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo, Campagnolo N3W. This listing is the complete wheelset - front and rear together, not a single wheel.
Fit and compatibility
The Ares4 rim brake wheelset fits rim brake frames only, 100mm front and 130mm rear quick release. It has no rotor mount and cannot be converted to disc. Freehub bodies are Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR 11/12, Campagnolo 11/12 and Campagnolo N3W, all titanium, chosen at order time.
For tires, Rolf's chart lists its 20C road rims at 23mm to 32mm, with maximum pressures of 110 psi at 23 to 25mm, 100 psi at 28mm and 80 psi at 30 to 32mm. On a rim brake bike your caliper clearance will usually be the real limit, so measure before ordering 30mm or wider tires. Any tire you fit must also be rated for carbon clincher rims by its maker.
Rolf Prima's testing and certifications
Rolf Prima builds every complete wheelset by hand at its facility in Eugene, Oregon. The company states that all orders are built by hand there by its own builders, and describes its process as building each wheel three times with two stress cycles in the build to seat and stretch all components. Rolf Prima says hand building lets it hit uniform spoke tensions that machine building cannot match, and that its design allows higher and more targeted spoke tension than a traditionally laced wheel, which it credits with increasing stiffness and improving spoke durability by decreasing the load cycle on each spoke.
The defining feature of a Rolf Prima wheel is Paired Spoke Technology, introduced in 1997. Bringing the spokes to the rim in pairs neutralizes the left and right outward pulling forces, which Rolf Prima says allows it to build true wheels on lighter rims with fewer spokes. Fewer spokes and lighter rims are the basis of the brand's aerodynamic and weight claims. The wheel systems combine paired spokes with the Delta rim profile, internal nipples, and patented details including the Jacketed Nipple, Self-Aligning Nipple, Differential Flange Diameter and Dish Reducing Design. Rolf Prima cites eleven patents behind its technology.
Rolf Prima runs an in-house engineering and testing lab and states it uses the ISO 4210 standard as a base starting point but considers it not tough enough, so it applies its own in-house standards. Published test capabilities include an in-house drum fatigue tester it calls the Thrasher, which compresses years of riding into days; an impact test using a weight calibrated steel anvil that exceeds the UCI 40 joule requirement, striking at spokes, between spokes and at the valve hole; lateral and radial stiffness measurement of rims alone and complete wheels; brake energy, distance and temperature testing developed for carbon clinchers; wind tunnel evaluation; and field testing by sponsored athletes. The Certainty page cites over 10,000 hours of lab testing to above industry standards.
On racing eligibility, Rolf Prima explains that UCI approval only matters for mass start UCI road races, UCI cyclocross and draft legal ITU triathlon. Its standard wheels (Aspin and the Elan family) do not require approval, while most of its deeper or lower spoke count models are non standard and are listed on the UCI approval registry. Rolf Prima does not publish a fixed rider weight limit; it says every wheel has limits that involve riding style and road conditions as well as weight, and directs heavier or more aggressive riders toward stiffer models such as Vigor, Echelon or Ares6. All road wheels can be set up tubeless with the brand's tubeless kit, and adventure, cyclocross and mountain models ship tubeless ready with tape and valves installed.
Rolf Prima backs its wheels with the Certainty program: a five year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the original owner, lifetime crash replacement at a discount for registered wheels, a 30 day trade out or return window in the USA, replacement parts availability for any Rolf Prima wheel regardless of age, and stated service response times of same day to 24 hours on calls and email with service work resolved within three days of receipt.
Rolf Prima's videos
From Rolf Prima
Warranty and certifications
- Limited warranty — Five years from original retail purchase against defects in materials and workmanship (2016 and newer wheels), original owner, non transferable; decals and bearings two years (source)
- Certainty program — Five year warranty, lifetime crash replacement, 30 day trade out or return in the USA, replacement parts for any Rolf Prima wheel regardless of age, same day to 24 hour service replies, service work resolved within three days of receipt (source)
- Crash replacement — Lifetime crash repair or replacement discount for the original owner; wheels must be registered within 30 days of purchase; proof of purchase and serial numbers required; freight not covered (source)
- UCI approval — Non standard models (rims taller than 25 mm, fewer than 16 spokes) are listed on the UCI approval registry; Aspin and Elan are standard wheels that need no approval (source)
- Test standards — ISO 4210 used as the base with tougher in-house standards; impact test exceeds the UCI 40 J requirement; in-house drum fatigue, stiffness, brake and wind tunnel testing (source)
- Hand built in USA — All wheels hand built in Eugene, Oregon; each wheel built three times with two stress cycles; eleven patents (source)
Sources on Rolf Prima's site:
- Rolf Prima: Testing
- Rolf Prima: Paired Spoke Technology
- Rolf Prima: Our Technology
- Rolf Prima: Certainty Program
- Rolf Prima: Warranty
- Rolf Prima: FAQ (UCI, rider weight, build process)
Rolf Prima publishes those results; ProWheelBuilder sells the finished wheel and does not test it in a lab.
A note on Rolf Prima
Rolf Prima builds by hand in Eugene, Oregon. Hand-built at the factory means what it means here, that each wheel is tensioned and trued by a person rather than released by a machine, which is why we are comfortable selling them beside the wheels we build ourselves.
Ordering it from ProWheelBuilder
Every Ares4 rim brake wheelset is built to order by Rolf Prima in Eugene, Oregon. ProWheelBuilder in Georgia takes the order, confirms your freehub matches your cassette, and forwards it to Rolf, who hand-builds the set and ships it with tape, pads and skewers. We are a working wheel shop, so if you are not sure whether your Campagnolo groupset needs the standard body or N3W, or whether 28mm tires will fit your brakes, ask us first.
We also build custom rim brake wheels on Astral rims, the rim brand Rolf owns, with hubs from White Industries, Chris King, DT Swiss and others, if you want a different spoke count or a specific look.
Warranty
Manufacturer's warranty. Rolf Prima gives a one-year limited warranty on its wheels under normal use. Astral is Rolf Prima's rim brand; ask us and we will confirm the current terms for the exact rim before you buy.
ProWheelBuilder. This is a complete wheelset built by its manufacturer rather than in our shop, so the maker's warranty above is the one that applies to it. ProWheelBuilder's own one-year wheel warranty covers the wheels we build. We will still handle a manufacturer claim on your behalf.
Full terms are on our Policies & Warranty page.
Ares4 Rim Brake questions
Is ProWheelBuilder the manufacturer?
No. Rolf Prima builds the Ares4 rim brake wheelset in Eugene, Oregon. ProWheelBuilder is a reseller in Georgia; we sell it, check your order and help you pick the right freehub.
What does the Ares4 rim brake wheelset weigh?
Rolf lists 1430g, 625g front and 805g rear, with 16 spokes per wheel.
What is the rim width?
20mm inner width on a 42mm-deep carbon rim with a machined brake track.
Are brake pads included?
Yes. Rolf ships the set with its carbon-specific brake pads, quick release skewers and tubeless tape.
Can I convert it to disc brake later?
No. The TdF 4.4 hubs have no rotor mount. Rolf sells the Ares4 Disc separately for disc frames.
What tires fit?
Rolf rates its 20C road rim for 23mm to 32mm tires. Pressure limits are 110 psi at 23 to 25mm, 100 psi at 28mm and 80 psi at 30 to 32mm.
Not sure? Text or leave a voicemail on 470-253-0929 or email info@prowheelbuilder.com — you will be talking to the people who build wheels for a living.
