Spotted on the Rolf stand at the recent Core Bike show was the wheel specialist’s latest performance wheelset, the Vigor Alpha. It’s basically the same wheel as the standard Alpha and, based on Rolf Prima’s US-made Tdf 3.4 hubset, sports the same 14 front/16 rear spoke layout. The rear spokes are all tangentially laced – on differentially-sized flanges – and along with the all-radial fronts are paired at the rim in the manner pioneered by founder Rolf Dietrich in order to align their axial pull.
The freehub body is CNC-machined in titanium for durability and the spokes are bladed for improved air penetration. They also sit in elongated “jacketed” nipples that act as a sleeve to relocate to a point beyond the end of the thread, where it might promote fatigue, any bend in the spoke occasioned by the need for it to realign en route from the nipple to the hub.
What is different about the Alpha wheelset? The 33mm deep rim follows the latest thinking with a width of 22mm across braking tracks or 18mm between flanges, up from the 13mm usual with rims designed for 23/25c tyres. Now well-tested, the idea gives standard tyres a wider stance on the rim and fatter profile, improving steering response and grip. We’ll get a pair in to see how they fare.
Price is £999.99 per pair and claimed weight 1480g.
