Gear Review
Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7850-C24 Carbon Wheelset - Tubular
Chariots of Fire, carbon-style.
By Nate King
May 11, 2011
I can only describe these wheels in one word - love. They're probably the only pair of wheels I'll hold onto for as long as the Shimano 10-speed freehub is relevant to cycling. Laterally stiff for crushing sprints, but not maddeningly skippy like a deep dish carbon rim in tight crit corners. I also own a pair of ultra high-end super deep (60+mm) wheels that simply gather dust on race day - I'd much rather take these out. They're stiffer (the wide hub spoke flanges aren't a gimmick), faster to spin up (the weight in these is all at the hubs), and likely more durable. I've tossed them into the ground and into potholes with nary a complaint. Hell, I ran the front wheel during a TT (Gila, specifically), and won.
Check the Roues Artisinales Great Wheel Test (http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html), and you'll see they're nearly on par with the likes of the Zipp 404 when it comes to aerodynamics/stiffness, yet have MUCH higher quality hubs and a lighter weight. Don't buy the super-deep hype. There are better places to improve your speed.
These wheels took me from Cat 5 to Cat 1 in the space of three months. Buy them (especially at this price) - they're nicer than every other shallow offering on the market. You will go faster.
View Details: Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7850-C24 Carbon Wheelset - Tubular
Nailed It? 0 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- aluminum, carbon fiber
- Rim Width:
- 20.8 mm
- Rim Depth:
- 24 mm, 28 mm
- Front Spoke Count:
- 16
- Front Hub:
- Dura-Ace
- Rear Spoke Count:
- 20
- Rear Hub:
- Dura-Ace
- Spoke Material:
- stainless steel
- Spoke Nipple Material:
- aluminum
- Skewers:
- aluminum
- Axle Type:
- 108 mm, 141 mm
- Brake Compatibility:
- rim
- Front Weight:
- 527 g
- Rear Weight:
- 727 g
- Complete Set Weight:
- 1254 g
- Recommended Use:
- racing, training
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 year
Change me.
3 Comments Last Reply: June 28, 2011 By: mstacle
Full carbon? I thought the brake surface is aluminum? If you could confirm, that'd be real helpful.
Nailed It? 0 Yes
Allow me to lavish more praise on these wheels. Last weekend in a stage race, I flatted my front wheel and the wheel car missed me (in the break...suck). Anyway, given that it was the first stage, abandoning wasn't really an option. I proceeded to ride 30 miles on a flat front (up/down, sketchy roads, sketchy descents). I assumed when I finished that the wheel was going to be toast. Nope. SOLID. The wheel is still true, and the rim is undamaged. I will never get rid of these wheels. Ever.
Nailed It? 0 Yes
One other note - these are FULL CARBON, not aluminum as this alludes to.
Nailed It? 0 Yes