Here’s the rest of the wares Shimano brought to New York a couple weeks ago. Part 1 of this schwagfest is here.

Wheels

Shimano’s gone to 11 speed, so all new wheels will, as they say, go to 11. To make room for the extra cog both hub flanges on the rear wheel will move a touch towards the non drive side. You can run 10 speed on the new wheels by using a spacer. Some existing 10 speed wheels can be adapted to 11 by replacing the freehub body and re-dishing the wheel. This means that if you think you’ll eventually convert to 11, these wheels are a good hedge against obsolescence.

The C75 is a carbon tubular, coming in at 1545 grams. There’s also a 50mm deep version at 1449 grams. Rear wheels will have a 2 to 1 DS/NDS spoke pattern to equalize spoke tension. The rim profile resembles the now ubiquitous Firecrest shape, where the two sides are roughly parallel rather than v-shaped. 

Unlike almost everyone else, Shimano (and Campy) have stuck to cup and cone bearings rather than cartridge bearings for their hubs. Machining a hub body with a bearing cup is more expensive, but they claim superior durability and user serviceability. Also, cup and cone bearings handle axial loads much better than cartridge bearings.

This finish on the spokes add strength where it’s needed, towards the hub.

Shimano was one of the first to make a tubeless specific wheel. The carbon/alloy laminate C24 continues this tradition. Nipples thread into the rim directly…

…so the rim bed has no holes in it (except the valve hole of course). Tubeless ready without any rim tape. If only this 20.8mm wide rim were 23mm wide, sigh. $1500, 1454 grams.

The RS-61 is also tubeless ready.

The nipples thread into inserts in the rim rather than the rim itself. $500, 1600 grams.

Eyewear

Shimano shades are coming to the US for the first time 2013. Quality is top notch, better than most brands and on par with that company WMNBN. Pricing tops out at $180.

Some models have this handy dandy angle adjustment that lets you get the lenses nice and snug without rubbing on your cheeks. Especially useful for those of us without prominent bridges.

The lenses are the most adaptive photochromatics I’ve encountered. They range from almost clear and amber to really dark and blue. The effect in full daylight is so pronounced it resembles old cheesy day-for-night horror movie scenes. You can easily ride out before dawn and finish at noon and have perfect visibility throughout. My only nitpick is the blue tint – scenery is definitely prettier warmer.

Shoes

The shoes I scored from last year’s schwagfest were the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had. I was initially skeptical of the benefits of heat molding the uppers (vs the moldable soles of Bonts and Lakes), but I was converted once I got some miles in – the shoes simply felt like they weren’t there. Here’s a quick look at next year’s offerings.

The R320 is the top of the line, at $380. Heat moldable and super light at 295 grams per shoe for size 45.

A one piece heel cup keeps your foot locked in.

Full carbon sole. Extra mounting holes give you a wider range for cleat fore/aft adjustment.

The insoles have replaceable arch support inserts.

If $380 for shoes (justifiably) freaks you out, the R241 is available for $200. Still custom fit, full carbon sole, but with different materials, heavier, and without the heel cup.

One more thing… 

Appropos of nothing, here’s a commuter bike to end all commuter bikes.

Di2 commuter!

Internally geared hub. The part on the right is the shifter motor.

Hydraulic brakes!

A generator on the front hub for the light.

The Di2 battery lives in that seatpost.