Clincher Wheelset Reviews » Shimano

Shimano Dura Ace Wheelset Review

bikewheels — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:45:37 +0000

Shimano Dura Ace Wheelset Review

Shimano Dura Ace wheels certainly don't need much of an introduction. The brand name and reputation precedes the products themselves, and the Shimano Dura Ace does its best to live up to and even exceed the lofty expectations.

A variety of special features and components are combined to provide you with the utmost in innovation and technological advantages. At the end of the day you end up with a ride you couldn't outdo in a dream.

The Shimano Dura Ace wheels are designed to be both fast and durable. They are lightweight, making use of the perfect materials and aerodynamic designs to bring that weight down as much as possible, while retaining perfect balance and providing tons of smoothness and comfort as well. With these wheels from Shimano, even more weight was saved with the new rim profile, creating a sleek, trim and powerful wheel.

You'll notice with the Shimano Dura Ace wheels increased rear spoke stiffness and improved front wheel aerodynamics. The former was achieved through a wider flange hub shell and an off-set rim for improved stiffness without leading to any loss of performance, control or speed. The two cross lacing pattern of the spokes creates a tighter, more effective pull, leading to two times as much rotational torque. The latter was achieved through the innovative balanced front wheel design featuring 16 spokes.

The beauty with a set of Dura Ace wheels from Shimano is that you know they have been tested in the harshest and most extreme of conditions and speeds. When some of the best in the world trust their products and the performance they provide, you know that you can do the same.

The Shimano Dura Ace clincher wheelsets are designed for maximum speed and performance at the highest levels, and you get decades upon decades of innovation and technology working for you. Enjoy the quick, light and powerful ride from these Shimano clinchers.

Shimano Dura Ace Deals on eBay

Shimano WH-7800 Wheelset Review

bikewheels — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:59:44 +0000

The Shimano WH-7800 needs no introduction for experienced racers, . However, for those new to the industry, the WH-7800 is like Volkswagen Beetles used to be in Germany. Everyone has at least one in their garage and even if they don’t use them exclusively any more, but with solid and time tested engineering they still remains an icon of the industry.

At one point, the Shimano WH-7800 was the gold standard of the Shimano’s top-end Dura-Ace line. This sturdy aluminum offering has always been the go-to default rim for aspiring racers. With aerodynamics at least as good as any standard depth aluminum rim on the market, there’s no doubt that this wheelset can still hold its own on even the fastest circuits today. Part of the reason for this is Shimano’s historically visionary engineering, as all 7800’s are blessed with an oversized 15mm axle. Though first engineered at a time when racing bikes were tank-solid, the Shimano WH-7800’s thicker axle is a great way to compensate for today’s rubber band racing forks. This gives the wheel a great deal of stability in this day and age of flexible fliers.

The wheels spoke count and material type have stood the test of time as well and its tendency to resist loosening and bending is well documented. Many a 250+ lb. rider has turned to the WH-7800’s sturdiness to make safe speed a given.

The only down-side to this wheelset is exactly what one would expect it to be. Making rapid evolution a priority Shimano has since introduced several more advanced models to its lineup. As such, some would attest that the WH-7800 is a tad bit heavy for racing use, but for the price it remains a fantastic alternative to other manufacturer’s supposedly new-and-improved wheels. A silky smooth ride, great handling, and plenty of braking and stability for rapid descents are just a few of the 7800’s strengths.

One word of advice though: be very careful when purchasing a used set of Shimano WH-7800's, as some riders have abused these wheels to the point of metal fatigue, a fatal error where aluminum rims are concerned.

Shimano WH-7800 Wheelsets on eBay

Mavic OPEN PRO ss with Shimano Dura ace 7800 Wheel Set Black Silver 32 spokes
$309.77
Time Remaining: 6d 11h 34m
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Shimano CS 7800 Sprocket Wheel 16T Y1Z81600D
$22.39
Time Remaining: 9d 3h 31m
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Shimano CS 7800 Sprocket Wheel 15T Y1Z81500D
$22.39
Time Remaining: 9d 3h 31m
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Shimano CS 7800 Sprocket Wheel 14T Y1Z81400D
$22.39
Time Remaining: 9d 3h 31m
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Shimano CS 7800 Sprocket Wheel 13T Y1Z81300D
$24.76
Time Remaining: 9d 3h 31m
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Shimano CS 7800 Sprocket Wheel 12T Y1Z81200D
$24.76
Time Remaining: 9d 3h 31m
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Shimano WH-6500 Ultegra Wheelset Review

bikewheels — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:54:53 +0000

Many people are convinced that the Shimano WH-6500 Ultegra wheelset uses some sort of metal laminate that no one can find. It could be that people who crash a lot tend to like snazzy wheels, or maybe that owners of the Ultegra wheelset are simply going so fast they can’t be bothered to steer. One way or the other, it is beyond contention at this point whether or not the Ultegra is a strong wheelset.

Although many say these wheels are indestructible and many more moon over their excellent aerodynamics, what is perhaps most interesting about the Shimano Ultegra wheelset is what you don’t hear anyone saying. Double-spoke rims have got something of a bad reputation in this marketplace, as many manufacturers don’t seem to be able to make a decent set that stays in one piece. Of those that do, many have found that their double spoke rims use ridiculously flexy spokes to absorb shock, and are thus about as responsive as a Humpbacked Whale with arthritis.

One hears no such complaints anywhere in the neighborhood of the Shimano Ultegra, which in itself is a bit odd. Anyone who’s ever asked any group of people about anything knows that there will always be some percentage of them who are born-again malcontents. However, one rarely ever hears anything bad about this wheelset at all, other than from those who can’t afford them.

What you do hear confirms that Shimano knows how to engineer a wheel and has succeeded in all its stated objectives with this wheel. The Shimano WH-6500 Ultegra is smooth, slick and sweet on the straights and fantastically fast in the curvy bits. Lightweight for their class and Sophia Loren sexy, these wheels will definitely get the more outgoing rider noticed while not whipping through the streets of Milan.

Shimano WH-6500 Ultegra Wheelsets on eBay

SHIMANO ULTEGRA 6700 PARTS GROUPO WHEELSSHIFTERSDERAILLEURSBRAKES FSA CRANK
$533.00 (12 Bids)
Time Remaining: 3h 47m
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NEW SHIMANO ULTEGRA 6600 ROAD BIKE WHEELS WHEELSET 700C
$229.50
Time Remaining: 8h 19m
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TREK ALPHA SL 2500 W ROLF VECTOR COMP WHEELS ULTEGRA FLIGHT DECK GROUP 54CM
$510.00 (2 Bids)
Time Remaining: 9h 24m
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Cervelo r3 56cm 2011 Easton ec90 Wheels Ultegra San Marco
$3,000.00
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Shimano Ultegra Mavic Open Pro 32 Hole Black Wheelset Wheels Black DT Comp Spoke
$275.00
Time Remaining: 9h 59m
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old Blue 32 hole Shimano Ultegra 6500 Mavic Reflex clincher Wheelset Wheels
$299.00
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28 hole Shimano Ultegra 6500 Dura Ace Mavic Open 4CD clincher Wheelset Wheels
$349.00
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Shimano Ultegra Used Rear Wheel 10 speed with skewer Used Rear Wheels
$53.63
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Shimano WH 6600 10spd Ultegra Wheel 700c Front 2008 NEW
$179.97
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2010 Giant TCR Advanced Ultegra 6700 Mavic Elite Wheels Size Large 58cm
$1,599.00
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Shimano WH-R550 Wheelset Review

Shimano WH-R550 Wheelset Review

bikewheels — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:10:50 +0000

Shimano WH-R550

The Shimano WH-R550 wheelset is a kind of love-it-or-hate-it thing. Those who see it as an economy training or everyday riding wheelset will be pleasantly surprised to find that it maintains the high level of quality that Shimano brings to the table. Those expecting any wheel costing less than $300 to pass for an all-out race item will be sorely disappointed, Shimano or no.

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the Shimano W-R550; it’s quite light for the price at 1850 grams, and very durable as a training wheel. The fact that this wheelset comes stock on the fairly high-end Scattante CFR Elite, the OCR Zero Giant and many more is testament to its reliable performance and reasonable cost. Although not classified as an aero wheel, the R550 is engineered with a certain amount of high-speed performance and definitely more than one might expect for this price point.

The Shimano WH-550 wheelset's 20 stainless steel spokes are known to bear more weight than the average wheel, making it perfect for the larger than average rider, or one who lives on less than perfect roads. The spokes are known to be quite stiff, but still flexible enough to be used every day.

Smooth and strong, the aluminum rim is exactly what one might expect from a wheelset costing half and again as much. However, it must be said that used aluminum rims are never a good idea, since one never knows if their previous owner abused them, or knew how to tighten a spoke. Cracks around the spoke-holes are common for abused R550’s, so be very cautious when looking at buying a used set.

Although the Shimano R550 wheels are a fantastic buy for their price point, they aren’t perfect. Generally the bearings are a little tight from the factory, therefore the new buyer might want to consider adjusting them out a little before use. Also, replacing plastic wheel-tape with something a little more reliable is never a bad idea.
Overall, the Shimano WH-R550 is a very well-received wheelset, and worth looking into if you’re looking for a great training wheel, or just an upgrade for your bike’s existing stock or broken wheels.

Compare The Price of WH-R550

Shimano WH-R550 Wheelsets on Amazon

Shimano Clincher Road Wheelset WH-R550 - 700c

List Price: ~~$289.99~~

See Reviews For This Product

Description

The WH-R550 utilizes the same technology found on the DURA-ACE WH-7800 wheel set but at very economical price point. The WH-R550 is 8, 9 & 10-speed compatible, using traditional stainless steel bladed spokes and 20 front and 24 rear lacing. Stainless Steel Spokes. Weight: 1845g (pair).

Features

8, 9 & 10-speed compatible
Weight: 1845g (pair)

Shimano WH-R550 Wheelsets on eBay

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