Posted on June 29, 2022 by Cory Benson
On top of bringing electronic shifting to more riders with affordable 105 Di2, Shimano is also trickling down carbon road wheel tech to more accessible levels with new C32 & C46 wheelsets. They aren’t explicitly branded as 105, but two new R7100-level carbon wheelsets combine modern wide hooked tubeless rim profiles with thousand-dollar prices to make it easier to upgrade your ride.
Shimano RS710 C32 (left) & C46 (right)
The 105 R7100 level is where Shimano maximizes their cost:performance ratio. Now with RS710 C32 & C46, they debut their most affordable carbon wheels ever in versatile low- and mid-profile options. Shimano says they are built on the same top-tier DNA as Dura-Ace & Ultegra C36 & C50 wheels, just scaled back a bit with more affordable detailing.
Both wheelsets share the same construction, with blunt-nosed aero-optimized carbon rim shapes, and 21mm internal hooked tubeless profiles, 28mm external widths, and drilled drain holes to prevent rainwater accumulation inside the rim section.
They share traditional flanged alloy hubs, external nipples, and are built up with aero bladed J-bend spokes, 24 front & rear.
The 32mm deep C32 is meant to be more of a climber’s wheelset with lighter weight to better handle quick acceleration, with a claimed total weight of 1504g (665g front, 839g rear ).
The 46mm deep C46 is more of the all-rounder with a bit slicker aerodynamics at a claimed 1612g (719g front, 893g rear).
Shimano RS710 C32 C46 affordable tubeless carbon road bike wheels_
Both of Shimano’s new RS710 carbon tubeless C32 & C46 disc brake wheelsets retail for the same $1049 with a Shimano HG11 freehub body (11 & 12-speed compatible) and 12mm thru-axles. The wheels feature super low-key Shimano decals opposite the valve hole, and include tubeless tape & valves.
Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.
Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking for over 25 years, even before the industry gave some these names. Prior to Bikerumor, Cory was a practicing Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, has designed bike shops & bike components and worked as a bike shop mechanic.
Based in the Czech Republic for 15+ years, he is a technical mountain biker, adventurous gravel rider, short & medium-haul bikepacker. Cory travels extensively across Europe riding bikes, meeting with key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next.
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Curious on the freehub engagement spec, gotta be pretty low. Their site lists the reflector model number and spoke diameter, but no engagement spec??
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