Dura Ace 7801 wheels - any thoughts?

akcc05

I have been offered a pair of 2006 Dura Ace 7801 wheels for a very tempting price, the shop is the Shimano distributor and said the wheels were originally for a Shimano sponsored local team but they are brand new.

I have done a bit of research on them, they are just over 1600g which is plenty light compared to the Bontrager Race Lite I'm riding right now, not that I'm a weight weenie despite but slight build. I'm already riding Ultegra 10s so cassette compatibility is not an issue.

Anyone have any comments on them? Both good and bad? Any trouble with the hub located nipples? Some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allenyeh/tags/duraace/

They are not the tubeless compatible ones but I do like the idea so I have been looking at the new Ultegra 6700 tubeless ready wheels too. How do they compare? Any thoughts and comments welcome.

northpole

I have had them for over 2 years; my only wheels and used regularly including cycling to work. Still dead true but as posted earlier today they drive me mad when I have to change tyres/ repair punctures. In my opinion you need to be sure about this aspect before buying ie which tyres work with the rims, if any.

Peter

akcc05

Thanks for the reply Peter, I thought my post was dead long ago, I know the 7801 wheels weren't popular so I was just trying my luck for reviews.

I eventually went with the Ultegra 6700 since, after some research, I found the 7801 was replaced by the 7801-SL which had rim located nipples and tubeless compatible CNC'd out rims - so pretty much like the current 6700 with different aesthetics and an alloy freehub body. I took it out for the first time a few days ago and it felt much lighter and more sure footed than my previous Bontrager Race Lites. As to the ease of mounting tires, the Race Lites were hell so I'm use to it, the 6700 are fine, nothing a pair of good quality Park Tools levers can't handle. I have yet to try them with tubeless tires though, I will wait until my Krylion Carbons wear out first. I can't wait as I'm quite sold on the idea of tubeless, at least on paper anyway, so I'm looking out for a deal on the Hutchinson Fusion 2 or Atom. I think it's the way to go, Campag/Fulcrum already have a range of 2-Way Fit in their line-up so maybe everyone else will go at it in the next season or two.

northpole

You may just have provided me with a solution - my wheels must be the later sl model as they can take both tubs and clinchers. So I'll look into the practicalities of using tubs - having failed miserably with clinchers - may save me having to replace what are a fab pair of wheels! Thanks alot for the idea!!

Peter

akcc05

Are the nipples of your wheels located on the rim side of the spoke or the hub side?
Hub nipples = WH-7801 (NOT tubeless compatible)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allenyeh/2938133668/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allenyeh/2937282971/in/photostream/


Rim nipples = WH-7801-SL tubeless compatible, you shouldn't need rim tape even for clincher tires.


PS. I think you mean tubeless, not tubs. Tubular tires are completely different. Is this helping? Or have I confused us even more?

northpole

Mine are the same as the picture on the left.

Tyres = confusion for me at the moment big time - I'm meant to be calling in with Condor on Saturday following which I'm sure my head will be spinning!!

Peter

akcc05

Yeap, yours are WH-7801-SL Tubeless Ready.

Currently, there are only three road tubeless tires on the market (Atom, Fusion 2 and Intensive), all of which made by Hutchinson in France.

See if they can clear your head at Condor, I used to go down there every now and then before I left the country. If you are still confused after that, start a thread on here, I'm sure lots of us would want to explain the differences between Clincher, Tubular and Tubeless setups.