Upgrading Dura Ace Wheels - Is it worth it ?

Mark1962a

I fancy a pair of Dura Ace 7850 CL Clinchers for the Spring/Summer but i do wonder just how much difference I will notice between them and my current 2007 Dura Ace 7801 (Not SL or Carbon) Clinchers that I currently use. There are rave reviews everywhere for the 7850 and the 7801 wheels never quite made it (Mine were free lucklily!)

There is no doubt they will look a lot smarter as the 7801s are not a very exciting looking understated wheel - they weigh about 1600g but are still quite light and bombproof, I also have an Ultegra 6600 sl wheelset which look smarter and I think are almost the same rims as the 7801 wheels but just ultegra hubs - they are just 60g heavier and quite honestly i cannot feel much difference - In real world use on both sets the tyres make the biggest difference as I have sets of Evo Corsa, Rubino Pro, Krylion and Spesh Roubaix used depending on time of year and conditions.

In essence does anyone have a real world experience of upgrading to 7850 cl wheels from similar 1600/1700g wheels and what was your experience.

£480 is a lot of money to not feel much difference.............and just look better........


......

cyclingpunk

I upgraded from a pair of Askiums which were about 1800g IIRC. I find the 7850's a much smoother ride, faster accelerating and nicer up the hills. If you ride mostly flats I would not bother but if you like hills then it may be worth it.

Your wheels are lighter than my old Askiums though so the difference may be harder to detect... could your old wheels for a reasonable amount to make the upgrade less painfull??

I guess the plus point is if you buy them for a good price they do hold value quite well if you really did not think they were worth the money.

Mark1962a

Thx Cycling punk - I do a lot of climbing on the Surrey North Downs including Box Hill, Leith Hill and Ranmore and have the Surrey Rumble sportive in a few weeks so I am thinking every ounce helps on some of those 15 -20% inclines - I weight 84/85KG - Wonder what I would get for the 7801s on e bay? Quite a good idea if I can pick up a pair of 7850s for late £400s and trade the old ones in.

flanners1

Just sold my 7801's on here for £200 +postage they were mint. Bought a set of 7850 24mm's and they are very nice wheels, spin up quickly and look the mutts not sure whether it was worth another £200 though.

dennisn

I would say that if YOU don't know why you would buy something and / or don't know if it's worth buying then, why are you even considering it? I'm talking about pretty much anything, not just bike stuff.

Mark1962a

Dennisn what on earth are you prattling on about - if you are going to make comments on the site try to keep them relevant and helpful - I know exactly WHY I would buy them and obviously I will know if its worth buying, if and ONLY when, they are fitted on my bike!

Sounds like you have got too much time on YOUR hands and have nothing better to do than criticise and post worthless pointless comments (4714 of them probably :roll: )

Thanks for the comments others esp Flanners 1 as that is exactly the sort of direct experience that I was looking for

cyclingpunk

I would say give them a go if your riding those hilly routes you mention. Ride them for a week and then sell your old ones on ebay if you are happy with them, which I am sure you will be. They are a lot of wheel for the money IMO and I would not want to be without mine 8)

Mark1962a

Thanks Cycling punk - I am sold and will order a pair this week - I reckon just the look of them will make me feel faster... 8)

PS. Dennisn - Buddy, you need to get out a bit more as I have just had a good look at your posting history, clearly plenty of time on your hands

dennisn

Mark1962a wrote:

Dennisn what on earth are you prattling on about - if you are going to make comments on the site try to keep them relevant and helpful - I know exactly WHY I would buy them and obviously I will know if its worth buying, if and ONLY when, they are fitted on my bike!

If you know why and that they are worth it, have at it. If you need an authority figure to tell you what to buy and what not to, then go to a bike shop as opposed to an internet forum. You're talking top line, pro quality, wheels. What is it you want or need to hear????

Mark1962a

If you know why and that they are worth it, have at it. If you need an authority figure to tell you what to buy and what not to, then go to a bike shop as opposed to an internet forum. You're talking top line, pro quality, wheels. What is it you want or need to hear????

Nothing from you my friend

Been having a good look at all your previous rantings, ravings and postings and it really does give me the full picture of you.

What exactly is "have at it" did you actually learn English in the USA?

You do amuse me though you funny little yank - for instance what exactly is "TIA CHI" listed on your interests - you must be a real expert to not even be able to spell TAI CHI correctly and I see that you are a "Structural draftfsman" I hope you are more accurate in your structural calculations than spelling your own occupation

Just simply superb my good friend............

dennisn

Mark1962a wrote:

If you know why and that they are worth it, have at it. If you need an authority figure to tell you what to buy and what not to, then go to a bike shop as opposed to an internet forum. You're talking top line, pro quality, wheels. What is it you want or need to hear????

Nothing from you my friend

Been having a good look at all your previous rantings, ravings and postings and it really does give me the full picture of you.

What exactly is "have at it" did you actually learn English in the USA?

You do amuse me though you funny little yank - for instance what exactly is "TIA CHI" listed on your interests - you must be a real expert to not even be able to spell TAI CHI correctly and I see that you are a "Structural draftfsman" I hope you are more accurate in your structural calculations than spelling your own occupation

Just simply superb my good friend............

Good catches on the spelling. Must have done it a home. No spell check here.
Glad you enjoyed my previous rantings. Sometimes I just feel the need to say things and FWIW I can't understand why someone would ask people on a forum what they should buy. Once again, what is it you want or need to hear from us? Do you need some sort of convincing to buy things? An OK from us??? Try buying what you want. You want DA wheels, go get them. Why would you listen to someone who says "oh no, don't buy those, buy these" when the only difference is one's a red apple and the other is green?