WH-7900 C24 CL Dura-Ace Clincher Wheelset

 

James Gray gives the latest Dura-Ace Wheelset a big thumbs-up

The C24 wheelset sits amongst Shimano’s premium Dura Ace range. The latest incarnation, the 7900, was designed to bring the performance and reliability for which Shimano is so well respected, to its wheelsets. 

I’ve been testing the C24 (24 mm rim version), the lightest of the three in the range, targeted at the high-level recreational rider and the climbing specialist. Well, over the last three months of the 2011 racing season they did over 1,500 km of racing and 3000 km of training. 

Being Shimano, these wheelsets boast some very clever technology, and the resulting performance is impressive. At 1,400 grams they may not be the absolute lightest, but because so little of the weight is at the rims they accelerate very well, which I was very grateful for at the evening criterium races. But also, because of the carbon-aluminium laminate construction, you don’t miss out on sure-footed braking performance like full carbon rims do.

The real feather in their cap, though, is the comfort they exhibit. Riding out on the smooth surfaces of the Alps last summer it was difficult to appreciate just how good they are. But on returning to the rough Bristol pavé the effect of the aluminium-carbon laminate construction is superb; they feel akin to a full carbon wheel costing twice their £750 retail price.

In summary if you’re looking for a well-priced high performance wheelset, for which their performance outshines their understated appearance, I’d recommend taking a look at a set of these. 

Contact the Cycleworks on 0117 929 2151 to discuss these and all other road wheelsets.