Sub-1,500 g claimed weights, generous 25 mm tubeless-compatible inner rim widths, and easily adjustable and serviceable bearings.

Shimano is going deeper into the gravel market for 2022, bolstering its existing family of GRX mechanical and electronic groupsets with a new carbon fiber gravel-focused wheelset called WH-RX870-TL.

On paper, the new RX870 wheels are about what you’d expect from the segment. Inner width on the tubeless-compatible carbon fiber rims is 25 mm, with intended tire sizes from 32-50 mm. The shallow 32 mm depth prioritizes low weight and ride comfort over aerodynamic performance, and although Shimano’s persistence with the cup-and-cone bearing design in the hubs might seem like a throwback to some, it’s a very well-proven design that’s historically very robustly sealed, durable, and easy to service. The freehub uses a conventional sprung-pawl design with an 18-point ratchet ring and 20° engagement speed.

Each wheel is built with 24 bladed straight-pull stainless steel spokes in a symmetrical two-cross pattern, with external nipples for easy servicing.

Both hubs feature Center Lock rotor compatibility for use with 12 mm thru-axles (100 x 12 mm front, 142 x 12 mm rear). Rear hubs are offered solely with a Shimano HG11 spline pattern.

Claimed weight is 1,461 g for the pair (822 g rear, 639 g front), and retail price is US$1,400 (pricing for other regions is still to be confirmed), including Shimano’s typical one-year warranty (which covers defects, but doesn’t include coverage for impact damage). Retail availability is slated for around September of this year.

More information can be found at www.shimano.com.