Rolf Prima Hyalite 700C Wheelset
The Rolf Prima Hyalite is the model most people picture when they think of a Rolf gravel wheel. It is a 700c, disc-only aluminum wheelset with a 22mm inner width, asymmetric rim, 24 paired spokes per wheel and Rolf's US-made XST 4.4 hubs. Rolf lists it at 1525 grams and describes it as built for all-day, all-road, gravel riding, all year long.
The Hyalite suits the rider who wants one durable wheelset that moves between a road bike on 28s, a gravel bike on 40s and a cyclocross bike in the mud. Riding Gravel called it fast and responsive on the road and untroubled by a hard turn onto dirt, which is a fair summary of what a 22mm inner width alloy rim does well.
Paired-spoke lacing on the Hyalite gives it a stiffness that a conventional 24-spoke alloy gravel wheel does not have. Because the spokes meet the rim in pairs and cancel each other's sideways pull, Rolf can run higher, more even tension, and the asymmetric rim improves that tension balance further. The result is a wheel that stays true through seasons of rough use.
Design and construction
The rim is an asymmetric aluminum clincher, 21mm deep with a 22mm inner width and tubeless ready. Rolf says the asymmetric design improves tension balance by up to 30 percent compared with a centered spoke bed. The wheels ship taped for tubeless with a valve.
The hubset is XST 4.4: designed and machined in the USA, assembled in Eugene, with Enduro steel bearings, a CNC-machined 6Al-4V titanium freehub body and the T2 high-engagement drive. On the Hyalite, T2 means a 48-tooth drive ring engaged by three independently sprung steel pawls, and Rolf says it picks up twice as fast as its earlier 24-tooth ring.
Spokes are 24 front and 24 rear, round Sapim Laser, laced in Rolf's paired pattern. Brake interface is disc. Front axle options: Boost 110 (15mm or 12mm), 15mm, 12mm or 9mm QR. Rear: Boost 148, Boost 141 QR, 142mm thru-axle or 135mm QR. Freehub bodies: Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo, N3W and Shimano Micro Spline.
How it rides
The Hyalite is a shallow, light wheel, so it feels lively rather than aero. It climbs easily, changes direction without effort, and is completely unbothered by crosswinds. The round Laser spokes and moderate 22mm inner width give a ride that is firm but not harsh on a 35mm to 40mm tire at gravel pressures.
Where it shines is reliability over variety. Cyclocross laps, a hundred miles of Georgia clay roads, a winter on the road bike: the Hyalite handles all of it with an aluminum rim that will take a rock strike without cracking and can be trued at any shop. The 24-spoke count also makes it the right pick for heavier riders in Rolf's alloy gravel range. It is the Hyalite we point most first-time Rolf buyers toward.
Specifications
| Wheel type | Adventure / Gravel |
|---|---|
| Rim | Alloy Clincher, asymmetric |
| Rim depth | 21mm |
| Rim width | 25mm, internal 22mm |
| Brake | Disc Brake |
| Spoke count (F/R) | 24/24 |
| Spokes | Sapim Laser, round |
| Hubset | XST 4.4 T2 High Engagement Enduro steel bearings |
| Front axle | Boost 110mm (15mm or 12mm), 15mm, 12mm, 9mm |
| Rear axle | Boost 148mm, Boost 141mm QR, 142mm, 135mm |
| Freehub | Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR 11/12, Campagnolo 11/12, N3W, Shimano Micro Spline |
| Tire size | Please refer to chart in product images |
| Weight | 1525g [700g/825g] |
| Includes | taped |
What this page sells
About this Hyalite 700C Wheelset listing. The choices on this page are front axle: Thru Axle 15x110mm Boost Front, Thru Axle 12x110mm Boost Front, 15mm Thru Axle Front, 12mm Thru Axle Front, 9mm QR Front; rear axle: 148mm Thru Axle Boost Rear, 141mm QR Boost Rear, 142mm Thru Axle Rear, 135mm QR Rear; driver type: Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo, Campagnolo N3W, Shimano Micro Spline. This listing is the complete wheelset - front and rear together, not a single wheel.
Fit and compatibility
The Hyalite is offered in 700c only. Axle end caps cover 12x100, 15x100, Boost 110 and 9mm QR fronts, and 142x12, Boost 148, Boost 141 QR and 135 QR rears, so it fits nearly any disc road, gravel or drop-bar mountain frame. If you are unsure which caps your Hyalite needs, the frame's dropout style and rear spacing are all we need to know.
Freehub bodies are Shimano HG 10/11, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo, N3W and Shimano Micro Spline. Rolf says the 22mm inner width is optimized for 28c to 45c tires but can take up to 2 inches when the case calls. We recommend 32mm to 42mm for gravel duty.
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)
Everything in this section is published by Rolf Prima. ProWheelBuilder is the seller, not the tester, and the wheel reaches you as the maker builds it.
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
Rolf Prima hand-builds every Hyalite to order in Eugene, Oregon. We sell it here at ProWheelBuilder in Georgia, and when your order comes in we confirm the axle spacing and freehub against your bike before it goes to Rolf. If you ride a mixed fleet and are unsure which end caps you need, tell us the frames and we will spec it. Extra end caps for a second bike can be ordered at the same time so the Hyalite moves between frames without a trip to the shop.
Astral is Rolf Prima's rim brand, and we build custom wheels on Astral rims every week. If you want the Hyalite's rim character with a different hub, a 28 or 32-spoke lacing for touring loads, or a specific spoke, we will quote that alongside the factory Hyalite.
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.
Hyalite 700C questions
Is ProWheelBuilder the manufacturer of the Hyalite?
No. Rolf Prima builds the Hyalite in Eugene, Oregon. We are an authorized reseller.
Hyalite or Hyalite 25?
The Hyalite has a 22mm inner width and is tuned for 28-45mm tires. The Hyalite 25 has a 25mm inner width for wider tires and is also offered in 650b. Both use XST 4.4 hubs and 24 paired spokes.
Does the Hyalite come in 650b?
No. This listing is 700c only. The Hyalite 25 is the model offered in 650b.
Can I use the Hyalite with a Micro Spline or XDR cassette?
Yes. Rolf offers Shimano Micro Spline, SRAM XDR, Shimano HG 10/11, Campagnolo and N3W freehub bodies.
Does the Hyalite fit Boost frames?
Yes. Boost 110 front and Boost 148 or Boost 141 QR rear are on the option list.
What is the Hyalite weight?
Rolf lists 1525 grams, about 700 grams front and 825 grams rear.
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.
