Rolf Prima Vigor ES Disc Wheelset
The Rolf Prima Vigor ES Disc is the entry point to Rolf's best-selling alloy wheel. It uses the same 32mm alloy aero rim profile as the Vigor Disc, with a 20mm inner width and tubeless compatibility, but laces it with 24 paired spokes per wheel to Rolf's economical XR Road 3.1 hubset. The finished set weighs 1710 grams (775g front, 935g rear) and, like every Rolf wheel, is hand-built to order in Eugene, Oregon.
Rolf calls it an everyday workhorse with race day benefits, and that is the rider it is for: someone who trains in all conditions, races now and then, and wants a US-built aero alloy wheel without paying for titanium freehubs and US-machined hubs. It is also the Vigor that offers a Shimano Micro Spline freehub, which matters for GRX 12-speed all-road bikes.
Paired spokes are still the core of the Vigor ES Disc. Spokes reach the rim in pairs so their left and right pull cancel at each pair, which lets Rolf build the rim true and stiff with higher tension and fewer spokes than a conventional wheel. The ES uses 24 per wheel, four more than the standard Vigor Disc, which adds durability margin for heavier riders and rough roads.
Design and construction
The rim is an alloy clincher, 32mm deep, 20mm inner width, tubeless compatible and shipped taped. It is the same rim profile that made the Vigor Rolf's best seller, so the semi-aero behavior and crosswind stability carry over.
Hubs are Rolf's XR Road 3.1, designed in the USA, with sealed steel cartridge bearings and a forged aluminum freehub body. Rotor mount is Center Lock. The front axle is 12mm thru and the rear is 142mm thru axle. Freehub bodies offered on the Vigor ES Disc are Shimano HG 11, SRAM XDR and Shimano Micro Spline. The XR 3.1 does not have the T2 high engagement ring or titanium freehub of the XST 4.4.
Spokes are Sapim CX Speed bladed, 24 front and 24 rear, paired. Rolf lists the Vigor ES Disc as disc brake specific; it does not offer a rim brake ES version.
How it rides
On the road the Vigor ES Disc feels like a Vigor, because the rim is the one doing most of the work. It holds speed on rolling roads better than a shallow alloy wheel, stays calm in wind, and the 24-spoke paired build is stiff enough for sprinting and for heavier riders. The differences from the Vigor Disc are a slower hub pickup, since the XR 3.1 lacks the 48-tooth T2 ring, and around 75 grams of extra weight in the hubs and spokes.
The Vigor ES Disc suits riders replacing heavy stock wheels on a disc road or all-road bike, winter training, commuting on a fast bike, and club racing. It is the Vigor we suggest for riders who are hard on equipment or who ride rough pavement, since the higher spoke count gives more margin. For the T2 drive and titanium freehub, step up to the Vigor Disc; for a lighter wheel, the Elan.
Specifications
| Wheel type | Road |
|---|---|
| Rim | Alloy clincher |
| Rim depth | 32mm |
| Rim width | 23mm, internal 20mm |
| Brake | Disc Brake |
| Spoke count (F/R) | 24/24 |
| Spokes | Sapim CX Speed, bladed |
| Hubset | XR Road 3.1 Steel cartridge bearings |
| Front axle | 12mm |
| Rear axle | 142mm |
| Freehub | Shimano HG11, XDR, Shimano Microspline |
| Tire size | Please refer to chart in product images |
| Weight | 1710g [775g/935g] |
| Includes | Taped for |
About this listing
What you are buying here is the Vigor ES Disc Wheelset. This listing is the complete wheelset - front and rear together, not a single wheel.
Fit and compatibility
Disc brake only, Center Lock rotors. Front axle is 12mm thru and rear is 142mm thru; there is no 135mm QR rear or 15mm front option on the XR Road 3.1, so confirm your bike is 12x100 front and 12x142 rear before ordering. Freehub choices are Shimano HG 11, SRAM XDR or Shimano Micro Spline; Campagnolo bodies are not offered on the ES.
Rolf's tire chart rates its 20C road rims, which includes the Vigor ES Disc, for 23mm to 32mm tires, with maximum pressures of 110 psi at 23 to 25mm, 100 psi at 28mm and 80 psi at 30 to 32mm. A 28mm or 30mm tubeless tire suits the 20mm inner width and the workhorse role.
Testing, standards and warranty at Rolf Prima
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)
The figures, certificates and media above are Rolf Prima's own. ProWheelBuilder does not run these tests; we sell the wheel and stand behind the order.
A note on Rolf Prima
Rolf still fields service questions on Vector wheelsets with thirty years and more of riding on them. That is the practical case for a company that stayed in one place doing one thing: the wheel is older than a lot of bike shops and can still be sorted out.
Ordering it from ProWheelBuilder
Rolf Prima hand-builds every Vigor ES Disc to order in Eugene, Oregon. ProWheelBuilder in Georgia sells it, confirms your freehub choice and axle standards against your bike, and passes the order to Rolf, who laces, tapes and ships the set. If your frame turns out to be 135mm QR or your fork 15mm, we will tell you before ordering that the ES will not fit and that the standard Vigor Disc will.
If you would rather have a 32mm alloy wheel on a hub of your own choosing, or a 28-spoke build for touring loads, we build custom wheels on Astral rims, Rolf's own rim brand, in our own shop.
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.
Vigor ES Disc questions
Is ProWheelBuilder the manufacturer of the Vigor ES Disc?
No. Rolf Prima builds the Vigor ES Disc in Eugene, Oregon. ProWheelBuilder in Georgia is a reseller that sells it, checks your order and advises on compatibility.
How does the Vigor ES Disc differ from the Vigor Disc?
Same 32mm alloy rim. The ES uses XR Road 3.1 hubs with steel cartridge bearings and an aluminum freehub, 24 spokes per wheel, 12mm front and 142mm rear only, at 1710g. The Vigor Disc uses US-made XST 4.4 hubs with T2 drive and a titanium freehub, 20 spokes per wheel, more axle options, at 1635g.
Which freehub bodies are available?
Shimano HG 11, SRAM XDR and Shimano Micro Spline.
What axle standards does it use?
12mm thru axle front and 142mm thru axle rear, Center Lock rotor mount. No QR options.
What tires fit?
Rolf rates the 20mm inner width rim for 23mm to 32mm tires. It is tubeless compatible and ships taped.
Is there a rim brake Vigor ES?
Not currently. Rolf lists the Vigor ES as disc brake specific. The standard Vigor is offered in rim brake form.
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.
