Shimano RS81 Wheelset - 11 Speed

Nice set of race wheels running true, very stiff and light, with good Conti UltraSport 23mm tyres. 25mm rim depth, Ultegra WH-RS81 Hubs. 11 speed (or 10 speed with a spacer). Bit of wear on brake track. Cassette shown not included, and no skewers. Ready to fit or ship nationwide.

Shimano has a reputation for building wheels that last, largely thanks to its use of cup and cone bearings, which, if looked after, seem to go on forever.

On first impressions, the 11-speed-compatible RS81 C25s look to continue this tradition, with their stiff and sturdy mid-depth carbon laminate rims and their cup-and-cone hubs featuring wide flanges to add strength.

The 25mm deep rims are 20.8mm wide external. They combine an aluminium braking surface – for consistent braking – with a top section made from a carbon/aluminium laminate. The bladed spokes attach to slightly bulged areas of the rim, which are designed for extra strength.

Having said that, we found that these scallow-depth rims do hold their speed well, and in sidewinds they’re confident and resist buffeting. The rim construction also adds to the wheels’ impressive stiffness, as do the wide flanges of the hubs.

This is particularly noticeable on the front wheel, where the spokes originate as close to the fork as we’ve seen. Shimano’s OptBal (optimal balance and rigidity) spoking uses 16 radial spokes on the front and 21 rear straight-pull spokes (14 spokes laced three-cross crossed on the driveside, seven radial on non-driveside), for even spoke tension and long-term durability.