Test Shimano 105 carbon C32 wheels (WH-RS710)

With the introduction of Di2 technology and the addition of a twelfth sprocket on the R7100 series presented in 2022, the Shimano 105 family of components has significantly moved upmarket. This is also the case for the wheels of the same name, offered in two versions of 46 or 32 mm high, and sold at a relatively affordable price for carbon wheels. On the route, The Shimano 105 C32 wheels confirm their versatility and accessibility.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

With a weight of 1580g per pair (verified) and a retail price of less than €1200, the Shimano 105 wheels (code name WH-RS710) here in the C32 version are extremely well placed against the competition for wheels with carbon rims. It is true that thanks to disc braking, we have seen the arrival on the market of wheels with carbon rims that are more accessible than in the past. The absence of a braking surface on the rims allows for the removal of a fairly expensive operation at the time of manufacture, and this is reflected in the overall prices of mid-range wheels, which do not quite follow the trend of excessive increases in bicycle equipment observed in recent years. Some will retort that the wheels on test are "only" 105 level, but this is obviously without taking into account the general move upmarket of the 105 transmission, which now benefits from 12 speeds and Di2, and braking close to the two most upscale groups at Shimano, the Dura-Ace and Ultegra. The new 105 wheels are therefore in the same vein as the group of the same name, and are now in line with the Ultegra wheels and Dura-Ace wheels, in third position in the Japanese manufacturer's range.

For tire with or without inner tube

The Shimano WH-RS710 wheels are here equipped with rims with a 32mm profile for comfort and versatility. But they are also available in 46 mm for those looking for more rigidity or aerodynamics, and above all it is possible to purchase them individually, which can allow for example to mix a front wheel in 32 and a rear wheel in 46 for a good compromise between performance and handling.

The 32 and 46 mm heights demonstrate that these are not exactly the same rims as on the Ultegra and Dura-Ace wheels (in 36, 50 and 60 mm), but the shape and main characteristics of the high-end rims are preserved. The rims are full carbon and are compatible with inner tube and/or tubeless tyres, and they have a hook width of 21 mm (28 mm external), which makes them compatible with tyres from 25 mm in section. They can be mounted with much larger section tyres (for a more off-road (for example). With 700×28 Specialized tires, the actual measured section is 30 mm, which offers a good compromise in terms of comfort and grip in winter conditions, even if this montage is a little less responsive on the route than with narrower tires. For the record, the montagand the tires did not pose any problems or require any tools.

The rims take up the profile named D2 by the Japanese brand, with a design intended to guarantee optimal behavior regardless of the wind angle in real conditions of use. Shimano also highlights the increase in lateral stiffness of the wheel induced by this profile, as well as an improvement in directional stability. If all this remains above all theoretical, it is clear that this 32 mm profile with this fairly large rim width and its overall shape make the Shimano 105 wheels particularly easy to handle, but still fairly neutral on rolling sections. They don't offer the "driving" inertia of wheels with a larger profile once you get going at full speed, but you don't feel them stumbling in the wind or above 40 km/h as is often the case with flat or very low profile rims.

On the hub side, we find the classic Shimano with cup and cone bearings and internal O-rings for durability and easy maintenance. The cassette body is compatible with 11 and 12 speeds, and the discs are fixed with the Center Lock standard. It is not on the 105 level hubs that we gain the most weight with these wheels, but there is little influence here on the inertia, and this slight extra weight compared to Dura-Ace hubs is not very noticeable on the route. As for the fluidity of the bearings, there is nothing to say after about 1000 km done in fairly wet winter conditions: the bearings turn like the first day, without catching when turned by hand, which is not necessarily the case on certain competing models, even higher end ones.

Finally, the wheels are mounted with 24 profiled spokes front and rear which do not call for any criticism as to their apparent solidity. The verified weight of 1580 g is a little higher than the 1504 g announced, but still remains efficient for a pair of wheels at this price.

On route

Compared to wheels with higher rims, the 105 C32 are distinguished above all by their maneuverability, and by their stability despite lateral gusts of wind. This makes riding the bike much more relaxing, whatever the conditions. An essential feature for many riders, who are uncomfortable – and sometimes rightly so – with high wheels that stiffen the bike's handling and make it much more sensitive to ride.

The 105 C32 wheels are particularly versatile, thanks to their profile and the low weight of the rims which offer good responsiveness., although this could be exacerbated with thinner, lighter tires. This behavior is particularly appreciable at low speed, on a bump with a percentagetage, or during frank relaunches. The rigidity of the worldtage is largely sufficient to take over when it is necessary to continue the effort and produce watts. We never had the feeling that the wheels were twisting or coming apart from the frame during violent pushes while dancing, or when passing with force on small radars.

Comfort depends above all on the section of the tires and their inflation pressure. Thanks to an internal width of 21 mm, the 105 wheels accept large tires, which can thus be more "open" on the rim to maintain consistent behavior while avoiding too much ballooning. Beyond the tires, the wheels never seem excessively brittle longitudinally, and seem suitable for long distances, or even for gravel riding on stony paths.

On rolling sections, the 32 mm profile is of course less aerodynamic than with higher rims. The fact remains that on normal routes, the difference is not very noticeable in terms of average speed. And that the slight disadvantagetagThe feeling compared to high wheels in certain conditions is undoubtedly offset by the increase in confidence induced by a more accessible profile..

Our opinion on the Shimano 105 C32 wheels

Sold at a public price of less than €1200 (sometimes less on certain sites), The new 105 wheels significantly improve the handling of an entry-level or mid-range bike, thanks to their excellent carbon rims that offer lightness, stability and strength. The hubs seem to ensure the reliability necessary to enjoy these accessible and versatile wheels for a long time, which shine here for their ease of driving, with their 32 mm profile.

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