Ideal for riders on Shimano 12-speed road or gravel-style setups who want lower climbing gears and broad wheel compatibility without moving to a different freehub standard.
The Shimano 105 CS-HG710-12 is the wide-range choice for riders building or replacing a 12-speed Shimano road or gravel-style drivetrain and wanting easier climbing gears without changing to a different freehub standard. Because it uses an 11T smallest sprocket, it fits the road 11-speed / new 12-speed HG freehub body listed in the official spec, which makes it a practical upgrade for many existing wheelsets.
On the road, this cassette is aimed at riders who want a friendlier low gear for steep climbs, loaded riding or mixed-terrain routes. Shimano’s HYPERGLIDE+ shifting platform is designed so you can keep pedalling through shifts, and the official gear-step design keeps the first eight cogs closely connected before opening up into the larger climbing sprockets. In plain terms, that means a natural cadence in the faster gears, then a genuine rescue gear when the road kicks up.
Compared with tighter-ratio race cassettes, the trade-off is simple: you’re choosing range and versatility over the closest possible jumps between every gear. For many Australian riders on rolling roads, alpine climbs, fondos and all-road setups, that makes this one of the most sensible Shimano 12-speed cassette options going.
11-36T range for easier climbing
Gives you a lower bailout gear than Shimano’s 11-34 options, which is handy for steep gradients, long days and loaded bikes.
12-speed Shimano road gearing
Built for Shimano 12-speed drivetrains with a progression that keeps the smaller cogs feeling closely spaced for steady cadence on flatter roads.
HG freehub compatibility
Works with the road 11-speed / new 12-speed FREEHUB body in the official spec, so it suits many existing road wheelsets.
11T top sprocket
Keeps the familiar road-style top end while still delivering a broad overall range.
HYPERGLIDE+ shift behaviour
Designed to shift cleanly even when you stay on the pedals, which helps when gradients or pace change quickly.
Natural early gear steps
The first eight cogs are arranged to feel smooth and connected, so you’re not constantly chasing your cadence.
Wide-range without abrupt finishing jumps
The larger cogs extend the range while still aiming to avoid the more awkward step changes some wide-range alternatives can bring.
General
Gearing
Compatibility
Features
Technology
HG Cassette
Specially positioned shift ramps and tooth profiles help the chain move cleanly across the cassette, giving you fast, responsive indexed shifting.
HYPERGLIDE+
This shifting platform is built to let you keep pedalling through gear changes, helping deliver smoother transitions when the pace or gradient changes quickly.
Great for
Maybe not for
Check two things before ordering: this cassette suits 12-speed Shimano road/gravel systems that accept a 36T largest sprocket, and it fits the road 11-speed / new 12-speed HG freehub body listed in the official spec. Shimano’s current dealer information also specifies using it with Shimano 12-speed chains such as CN-M9100, CN-M8100, CN-M7100 or CN-M6100. Installation uses standard cassette lockring tools, but Shimano notes dealer-manual fitting is intended for professional mechanics.
vs Shimano 105 CS-R7101-12
The closest in-family alternative. It keeps the same 12-speed Shimano road platform but uses an 11-34T range instead of 11-36T.
vs SRAM PG-1231 XPLR 11-44
A wider-range 12-speed HG-driver option aimed at gravel use. It offers more outright range, but it sits in a different drivetrain ecosystem and pushes further toward off-road gearing.
vs SRAM XG-1250 10-36
A popular 12-speed SRAM road cassette with broad range and a 10T start, but it uses the XDR driver standard rather than an HG road body.
Check your rear derailleur capacity first
The big buying question isn’t just ‘is it 12-speed?’ — your rear derailleur also needs to be rated for a 36T largest sprocket. If your bike was supplied around an 11-34, it’s worth confirming the derailleur spec before ordering.
A smart option for steep local riding
For riders tackling long climbs or punchy gradients, the move from 34T to 36T is small on paper but noticeable when you’re tired, carrying extra gear or trying to keep your cadence up.
Great when you want to keep existing wheels
One of the best reasons to choose this cassette is freehub compatibility. If your wheels already take Shimano road 11-speed style cassettes, this is a much easier path into Shimano 12-speed gearing than changing wheel or freehub standards.
Expect versatility rather than pure race feel
This cassette makes the most sense when your rides vary a lot. If you’re always racing on flatter roads, a tighter cassette may feel sharper, but for mixed terrain this wider spread is easier to live with.
Shimano is a Japanese component brand founded in 1921 in Sakai, Osaka. The company began with bicycle component manufacturing and has grown into a global business focused on bicycle components, fishing tackle and rowing equipment, while keeping its headquarters in Sakai.
In cycling, Shimano is best known for building complete component ecosystems that span road, mountain, gravel, commuting and e-bike use. Its range covers drivetrains, brakes, wheels, pedals, shoes and related parts, and the brand has had a long presence in Australia through a local business established in Sydney in 1992.
