Shimano

Dura-Ace WH-9000 C35 Carbon Road Wheelset - Tubular

It's not just in your head, Shimano's Dura-Ace 9000 line is taking over the world of cycling. If you watched the 2012 Tour, you assuredly saw the podium full of 9000 rigs, Dura-Ace WH-9000 C35 Carbon Tubular Wheelset and all. It's easy to see why. After all, the C35 Tubular features the lightest overall weight in the WH-9000 lineup. And with a versatile 35mm rim depth and wide, dual-width platform, sheer speed has been blended with stability in the most perfect of balances.

Shimano's Dura-Ace 9000 C35 wheelset epitomizes the illustrious reputation of the Dura-Ace title. The rims feature a 35mm depth that, at once, provides wind-cheating aerodynamics and fierce rigidity. In fact, for the first time, Shimano has fully committed itself to achieving a superior level of aerodynamic advantage. As a result, the C35 was engineered in accordance with the newly developed Blade and Accelerating SPEED concepts. After extensive wind tunnel research, both of these development platforms gave way to Shimano's most aerodynamic wheel profile. So, not only do you benefit from the C35's 24mm depth, but your largest gains in drag reduction actually emanate from the resulting D2 Wide rim design. D2 Wide places Dura-Ace back into the fold of contemporary aerodynamics, and then takes it a step forward. The design hinges on the front and rear wheel having two different widths -- 23mm at the front and 24mm at the rear. This creates an even smoother airflow then varied front and rear rim depths. Additionally, this wider, variable system promotes an increased stability in crosswinds, as well as higher levels of lateral rigidity and vertical compliance when compared to the WH-7900-C35.

Impressively, the D2 Wide concept has both extended and adapted itself it into every facet of the wheels. However, in regards to the spokes and hubs, this increased width translates directly to efficiency, rigidty, and power. With the C35, the weight of the wheels is centered at the hubs. This means that the rim weight is reduced, and thus the rotational weight is decreased. The beneficial results are staggering. Coupled with the aerodynamic 35mm rim depth, you have a wheelset that gets up to speed faster, and requires less rider effort to pin it and hold it. The centering is made possible by a clever Shimano design that's principled in the use of Shimano's angular contact bearings. The bearings' shape allows them to be pushed as far outboard as possible. This makes the hub a wider platform for the spokes to stand on, and accordingly, it makes the wheels capable of higher spoke tensions for a more compliant ride quality. Most importantly, though, the C35 features Shimano's widest hub flanges ever. The wider distance between flanges drastically increases torsional and lateral rigidity -- think about the difference between someone pushing you with your feet together, and then again with your feet shoulder-width apart. Simply put, this design guarantees an effective power transfer so that your wheels put out as much as you're putting in.

Not surprisingly, Shimano hasn't stopped there. New to Dura-Ace 9000, the wheels receive Shimano's OptBal 2:1 lacing pattern. In typical Shimano fashion, this system engineers off of the obvious, yet previously unchallenged, physics of wheel stress. When examining spoke pull at the rear wheel, you'll notice that, under load, the non-drive-side spokes pull twice as hard against the drive-side spokes. So, Shimano changed the ratio of spokes between the sides. Now, the rear drive-side features 21, three-cross stainless steel spokes, while the non-drive-side has 7 radial laced spokes. This shift in the spoke ratio creates a perfect balance while force is being applied. Additionally, the wheels still use just as many driving spokes as a 28 hole wheel, only with greater efficiency, balance, and weight savings. And to further support this new system, the C35 makes use of an offset rim. This reduces the severity of the spoke angle on the drive-side, and accordingly, it increases the lateral rigidity, while creating a greater uniformity of tension at every point of the spoke.

For even further efficiency, the C35 wheelset uses ultra-stiff, oversized A7075 alloy axles, and a quick-engaging titanium freehub body. Every wheel is 100% hand-built, and features Shimano's own 100% carbon fiber construction. Altogether, each component of the wheel has been designed as a symbiotic system for the ultimate in aerodynamics, efficiency, and pure speed.

The Shimano Dura-Ace WH-9000 C35 Carbon Tubular Wheelset is available in one size and in the color Black. Please note that the C35's titanium freehub body is compatible with the new Dura-Ace 9000 11-speed cassette.