Review of the Shimano 105 C32 Carbon Wheelset (WH-RS710)

With the introduction of Di2 technology and the addition of a twelfth sprocket to the R7100 series unveiled in 2022, the Shimano 105 component family has clearly moved upmarket. The same is true for the wheels of the same name, available in two versions—46 mm and 32 mm tall—and sold at a relatively affordable price for carbon wheels. On the road, the Shimano 105 C32 wheelset proves its versatility and affordability.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

They weigh 1,580 g per pair (verified) and retail for less than €1,200, the Shimano 105 wheels (codename WH-RS710), shown here in the C32 version, are extremely well-positioned against the competition for carbon-rimmed wheels. It’s true that thanks to disc brakes, we’ve seen carbon-rimmed wheels hit the market at more affordable prices than in the past. The absence of a braking surface on the rims eliminates a fairly costly manufacturing step, and this is reflected in the overall prices of mid-range wheels, which do not quite follow the trend of excessive price increases for cycling equipment observed in recent years. Some might argue that the wheels under review are “only” 105-level, but that obviously fails to take into account the overall upgrade of the 105 drivetrain, which now features 12 speeds and Di2, as well as braking performance comparable to Shimano’s two top-tier groupsets, Dura-Ace and Ultegra. The new 105 wheels are therefore in the same vein as the groupset of the same name, and now stand alongside the Ultegra and Dura-Ace wheels, ranking third in the Japanese manufacturer’s lineup.

For tubed or tubeless tires

The Shimano WH-RS710 wheelset is equipped here with 32-mm-deep rims for comfort and versatility. But they’re also available in 46 mm for those seeking greater stiffness or aerodynamics, Most importantly, they can be bought individually, so you can pair a 32 mm front wheel with a 46 mm rear wheel for a good balance of efficiency and handling.

The 32- and 46-mm rim heights show that these are not exactly the same rims as those on the Ultegra and Dura-Ace wheelsets (which come in 36, 50, and 60 mm), but the shape and key characteristics of the high-end rims are preserved. The rims are made entirely of carbon and are compatible with tubed and/or tubeless tires; they have an inner rim width of 21 mm (28 mm outer width), making them compatible with tires 25 mm or wider. They can be fitted with tires of much larger cross-sections (for off-road use, for example). With 700×28 Specialized tyres, the actual measured width is 30 mm, which offers a good balance between comfort and traction in winter conditions, even though this setup is slightly less responsive on the road than with narrower tyres. As a side note, installing the tires was completely hassle-free and didn’t require any tools.

The rims feature the profile dubbed “D2” by the Japanese brand, with a design intended to ensure optimal performance regardless of the wind angle under real-world riding conditions. Shimano also highlights the increased lateral stiffness of the wheel resulting from this profile, as well as improved directional stability. While all of this remains primarily theoretical, it’s clear that this 32-mm profile, combined with the rim’s considerable width and overall shape, makes the Shimano 105 wheels particularly maneuverable, yet still fairly neutral on the open road. They don’t offer the “thrilling” inertia of wheels with a deeper profile once you’re up to speed, but you also don’t feel them struggle against the wind or beyond 40 km/h, as is often the case with flat or very low-profile rims.

As for the hubs, Shimano sticks to the classics with cup-and-cone bearings and internal O-rings for durability and easy maintenance. The cassette body is compatible with 11- and 12-speed systems, and the rotors are mounted using the Center Lock standard. It’s not the 105-level hubs that offer the greatest weight savings with these wheels, but they have little impact on inertia, and this slight weight gain compared to Dura-Ace hubs is barely noticeable on the road. As for bearing smoothness, there’s nothing to complain about after riding about 1,000 km in fairly wet winter conditions: the bearings spin just as smoothly as on day one, with no sticking when turned by hand—which isn’t necessarily the case with some competing models, even higher-end ones.

Finally, the wheels are built with 24 profiled spokes on both the front and rear, and their apparent sturdiness leaves nothing to be desired. The verified weight of 1,580 g is slightly higher than the advertised 1,504 g, but is still impressive for a wheelset at this price point.

On the road, compared to wheelsets with taller rims, the 105 C32s stand out above all for their maneuverability and their stability despite crosswinds. This makes riding the bike much more relaxing, regardless of the conditions. This is an essential feature for many riders who are uncomfortable—and sometimes rightly so—with tall wheels, which stiffen the bike’s handling and make it much more sensitive to steer.

The 105 C32 wheelset is thus particularly versatile, thanks to its profile and the lightweight rims, which provide good responsiveness—though this could be further enhanced with thinner, lighter tires. This trait is particularly noticeable at low speeds, on a steep incline, or during sharp accelerations. The wheelset’s stiffness is more than sufficient to take over when you need to sustain the effort and put out watts. We never felt the wheels twisting or losing alignment with the frame during vigorous out-of-the-saddle sprints or when powering up short, steep climbs.

Comfort depends primarily on tire width and inflation pressure. Thanks to an internal width of 21 mm, the 105 wheelset accommodates wide tires, which can sit more “open” on the rim to maintain consistent handling while preventing excessive bulging. Beyond the tyres, the wheelset is never excessively harsh longitudinally, and we find them suitable for long distances, even for gravel riding on rocky trails.

On rolling sections, the 32-mm profile is, of course, less aerodynamic than taller rims. Still, on typical routes, the difference is barely noticeable in terms of average speed. And the slight disadvantage felt compared to tall wheels under certain conditions is undoubtedly offset by the increased confidence provided by a more approachable profile. Our take on the Shimano 105 C32 wheelset Sold at a retail price of less than €1,200 (sometimes less on certain websites), the new 105 wheels significantly improve the performance of an entry-level or mid-range bike, thanks to their excellent carbon rims that offer lightness, stability, and durability. The hubs, meanwhile, seem to provide the reliability needed to enjoy these affordable and versatile wheels for a long time; they stand out here for their ease of riding, thanks to their 32-mm profile.

The SHIMANO 105 C32 (WH-RS710) wheelset at a glance…

Rating: ***** Pros: ease of riding, stability, build quality, value for money, option to purchase wheels individually Cons: neutral handling on flat terrain

Rims: full-carbon profiled – Rim profile: Shimano D2, 32 mm – Rim width: 21 mm (internal), 28 mm (external) – Compatibility: Tubeless and Tubetype – Tires: 25 mm and up – Cassette: Shimano 11-12-speed – Thru-axles: 12×100 front and 12×142 mm rear – Disc brakes: Center Lock – Spokes: 24 front and rear, profiled. Weight: 1,580 g per pair (with tubeless valves) – Price: €1,199.99 per pair – Contact: bike.shimano.com