Campagnolo Shamal Dual Profile: New wheelset is 105 grams lighter
Wheels are not only decisive for the weight of a bicycle, but also have a significant influence on the riding experience. So it's no wonder that wheel manufacturers never tire of fine-tuning and developing new products. This is also the case with Campagnolo, whose development department has already produced many innovations not only in shifting systems but also in wheels. In 1992, the company launched the first wheel with the name Shamal, the first high-profile rim in the history of cycling, and thus had a lasting impact on technology in professional racing. A lot has happened since then. Among other things, the Shamal has developed into an exclusive all-rounder for touring use. Today, race specialists tend to ride the aerodynamic Bora wheels.
New 2025: Campagnolo Shamal Dual Profile
In 2025, the Italians will present the latest generation of Shamal wheels, whose new design with a distinctive rim profile should once again offer a number of advantages. According to Campagnolo, the features of the previous models have been retained.
The Shamal Dual Profile wheelset is also familiar and typical of Campa with its G3 spoke pattern, in which three spokes run parallel to each other in seven groups and are arranged in a 2:1 ratio. There are two spokes on the more heavily loaded side and only one on the opposite side.
Dual rim profile
The most striking innovation is a wave-like rim profile, which is higher in the area of the spokes and lower in between. According to Campagnolo, this is primarily intended to improve aerodynamics, or more precisely stability in crosswinds: the lower areas should make the rim less susceptible to gusts while maintaining the same aero performance.
The rim profile and new hubs make it possible to use shorter spokes on the new wheelset, which should lead to greater overall stiffness. In addition, the weight has been reduced by 105 grams per wheelset compared to its predecessor, from 1585 to 1480 grams. New materials are responsible for the lower weight. For example, aluminium hubs with plain and conical bearings are used, which are lighter. At the same time, bearing maintenance is simple.
Development and production take place at Campagnolo in Europe. The development process for the new road and all-road wheelset began with computer simulations (CFD), in which the mechanical flows are simulated with the aim of reducing air resistance. In the next step, the calculations were checked in the wind tunnel before going out on the road for practical tests.
There is a catch
As with the previous model, the carbon fibres are arranged unidirectionally and the rim once again comes in a high-quality C-LUX finish. Campagnolo continues to use a hook rim for the rim bed. The familiar 2-way fit system accommodates both tubeless and classic clincher tyres. Hookless rims, which have become popular in recent years from competing manufacturers such as Zipp, Enve or Cadex, are usually only approved for tubeless tyres, which the rim manufacturers have also tested for compatibility, in particular the dropout behaviour.
Nevertheless, the Shamal wheels are well prepared for tubeless mounting: There is a closed rim bed without holes for spoke mounting. The spoke nipples are positioned with the help of magnets (MoMag system). This means that there is no need for tiresome rim tape gluing.
Campagnolo specifies 28 millimetres as the minimum tyre width that can be ridden on the new Shamal Dual Profile wheelset. There is no information on the maximum width of the tyres. However, Campagnolo emphasises that the wheels are suitable for any terrain, including all-road and gravel use.
Campagnolo Shamal Dual Profile in detail
- Inside width: not specified
- Intended use: Road bike, Allroad
- Recommended tyre width: from 28 millimetres
- Weight: 1480 grammes
- Price: 1890 Euro (incl. N3W freehub body), 1897 Euro (HG11 and XDR freehub body)
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
