Shimano

Dura-Ace WH-7850-C50-CL Carbon - Clincher

Close your eyes and think of the word Dura-Ace. What comes to mind? For us, Dura-Ace is replaced at the front of our minds by the word 'perfection', and it's easy to see why. Since its inception, the Dura-Ace platform has voraciously led component innovation, and the Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7850-C50-CL Carbon Clincher Wheelset is an extenuation of this tradition. Combing a flawless carbon layup, a versatile clincher design, and a hub system that's on top of the game, this wheelset will excel on any platform from a Grand Tour to an epic weekend ride.

Shimano's Dura-Ace WH-7850-C50-CL Carbon Clincher Wheelset epitomizes the illustrious reputation of the Dura-Ace title. The rims feature a 50mm depth that, at once, provides wind-cheating aerodynamics and fierce rigidity. Now, a sub 1700g, 50mm deep clincher wheelset doesn't come along everyday, and the success of the design owes itself to Shimano's intuitive approach to engineering wheels. The magic of the WH7850 wheelset lies in the weight being 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 50mm 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 makes the wheel capable of higher spoke tensions for a more compliant ride quality. Most importantly, 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.

The WH-7850-C50-CL wheelset is laced up with a 16/20 stainless steel spoke count to Dura-Ace hubs. The wheelset uses ultra-stiff, oversized 7075 alloy axles, and a quick engaging titanium freehub body. This wheelset features an alloy brake track, so you don't have to worry about the overheating and warping issues that plague many full carbon clinchers.

The Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7850-C50-CL Carbon Clincher Wheelset is available in a 700c size, and in the color Black/white. The freehub body is compatible with 8-, 9-, and 10-speed Shimano and SRAM cassettes.