CAMPAGNOLO SHAMAL ULTRA C17
£895.99 › Shamal wrapped up
CAMPAGNOLO’S SHAMAL WAS THE FIRST ever complete factory-made aluminium wheelset over two decades ago, and has undergone numerous reincarnations since. Boasting several innovative features over the years, the latest Shamal Ultra C17 combines them all, and maintains its aluminium construction.
The rims are still of differentiated heights, 24mm at the front and 27mm rear, although they are heavily milled between the spokes, leaving a 3mm taller rectangle of material around each one. The extra depth allows sufficient purchase for the nipples to be screwed into the rim, leaving the internal rim bed undrilled, and therefore stronger with no need for rim tape. The rim width has increased to 22mm, and 17mm internally, to create a more aerodynamic profile with 25 or 28mm tyres.
Bladed 4mm-wide straight-pull aluminium spokes hint at the Shamal’s speed potential, with 16 radial up front and 21 rear in Campagnolo’s Mega G3 pattern, where groups of three spokes are arranged 2:1 in favour of the driveside. Both hubs have carbon bodies and aluminium flanges and run on USB ceramic bearings, with an adjustable lockring for preload adjustment. Our clinchers weigh 1470g, plus 120g for the quick-release skewers, making them fairly competitive weight wise. A 2-Way Fit version is available for tubeless users, weighing 80g more.
Our 25mm Clement tyres inflated to precisely that, and from the off began to blend taut performance with greater air volume. Excellent rigidity and a fine freehub results in a rear wheel that’s reactive to inputs, with brisk acceleration. With low rotational weight, the Shamals spin up to speed fast, and are as willing to kick and increase the pace on a climb as they are on the flat. While not as wide as some recent competitors, the larger tyre contact patch gained from running 25mm or larger tyres enables positive, predictable handling and great stability through rough surfaces or under heavy braking, something that’s also predictably good thanks to the machined brake track. What the Shamals give away in true aerodynamic shaping, they gain in agility and durability, being a classy all-round choice.