Shimano

C35 Carbon Road Wheelset - Clincher

If you've been doing your homework, you'll have noticed that Shimano's 2013 Dura-Ace wheel lineup is sharing technology across the board. With a few exceptions made for layup variance, only one question really remains -- what rim depth do you want? If your answer hinges on a stable, aerodynamic ride quality, more so than an arbitrary numerical designation, then the Shimano C35 Carbon Clincher Wheelset is for you.

Shimano's Dura-Ace 9000 C35 wheelset epitomizes the illustrious reputation of the Dura-Ace title. 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 carbon laminate construction. For braking, the wheels feature an aluminum brake track for a predictable stopping power that won't overheat the rim. Altogether, each component of the wheel has been designed as a symbiotic system for the ultimate in aerodynamics, efficiency, and pure speed.

The Shimano C35 Carbon Clincher 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.