DA 7850 C24 CL v Ksyrium SL v Fulcrum 1

nickma

WH-7850-C24 Carbon Clincher melds an incredibly thin-walled (just 0.55mm in some areas) aluminum extrusion with a carbon fiber reinforcement. According to Shimano, the resulting 380g 24mm-deep clincher rim is superior to an all-carbon version in that the braking is more predictable and the sidewalls don't need to be overbuilt to handle high pressure, especially when hot. The complete wheelset boasts a claimed weight of just 1380g.

Whether or not you agree with Shimano's bold assertion about the WH-7850-C24 rim, that labor-intensive theme returns when it comes to the rim's construction. There are four pre-cut pieces of carbon fiber over each of the spoke holes (26 layers of fiber in total), and each of those pieces is applied and trimmed by hand in a climate-controlled 'clean room'.

So...lightest alu-based rims, best in sidewinds (a real issue on rides like LeJoG by the time you get to the west coast of Scotland), a very efficient climber, and solid enough for heavier riders.

Tricky to argue with if those are the things that you're after for mixed runs.

Stevo_666

Holy thread resurrection Batman

Nickma, where did that quote come from out of interest?

nickma

Dunno anymore, Bikeradar rings a bell....

By the by, the question that kicked this thread off was posed by a whippet thin/ short 69 kg wisp-of-a-rider. So debating which alternative wheel is 'stiffer' is a bit academic. If it's acceptable for an 87+kg lardy (me) it's hardly going to know what a deflection is under a sub 70kg ethereal, child-like frame

neeb

nickma wrote:

By the by, the question that kicked this thread off was posed by a whippet thin/ short 69 kg wisp-of-a-rider. So debating which alternative wheel is 'stiffer' is a bit academic. If it's acceptable for an 87+kg lardy (me) it's hardly going to know what a deflection is under a sub 70kg ethereal, child-like frame

I beg to differ, I'm 63kg and I like a stiff wheel. Feels more direct when putting the power down out of the saddle to blast up hills.

The Fulcrums and Campags (zeros, ones, shamals, eurus) are great incidentally. These days the second tier (ones, eurus) are very close to the weight of the zeros and shamals, you're really only getting the bling factor by paying more (carbon hubs, ceramic bearings).

mfin

NapoleonD wrote:

I had a set of the Dura Ace carbon clinchers. Had to sell them to fund my Zipps.

Wish I hadn't had get rid, they were fantastic.

Pretty stiff, rolled beautifully, very aero for shallow rims but the best thing about them was the comfort. No other aluminium clincher comes close IMO...

I completely disagree. I had the Dura Ace 7850cl24's and sold them for one reason and one reason only. Comfort. The road buzz coming through them on my Cervelo R3 was noticeable, I knew that feeling wasnt there on Campag Zonda's I was riding before the Dura Ace's, so Ive not long sold them and moved now to Shamal Ultra's. The feeling is now all smooth again.

I notice no difference in stiffness, ie, no brake rub problems. Shamal Ultras are smooth though.

A riding buddy of mine had agreed with me on the feel of the Dura Aces and the road buzz after a good few gos on my bike, and completely agreed that the feeling was gone with the Shamals.

With the DuraAces mine was the least comfortable bike on ropey road surfaces of mine and 2 other riding buddies bikes, and an R3 is not renowned for that!! Mind you, this is front wheel road buzz, and most of this is of course down to the fork, the reputation of the comfort of the R3 relates mainly to its seat stays of course.

(oh and no problem with Nap, I like the fact he spends a lot of time assessing gear and helping out lots by divulging his experience of gear, but in this case, I dont agree, in fact Im the only person probably saying they are uncomfortable, Im saying what Ive felt though, not what Ive read)

napoleond

My post saying that I've ended up with Ksyrium Elites (long story) and think they are the best wheel/£ I've had. Very stiff (which I need!) not noticed any harshness using them with Open Paves spars to have disappeared.

Interesting to hear what you thought of the DAs mfin. I'd like to try them again to see if I feel the same.

mfin

Great wheels, light, stiff n that, but harsh id say. Definitely a stack harsher than either of the Campags I mention.

bianchiblue

Comfort is more dependant on tyres I think.

I've had 7850 C24's (and RS80) and Fulcrum R1's.

The Fulcrums are noticeabley stiffer and harsher but climb, sprint and corner slightly better in my opinion. They also look amazing and completely transform my bike.

I agree that the DA are about the best factory clincher around, but when you consider the lower price of the RS80, the RS80 wins hands down for value as you really cannot tell the difference between them and DA when riding (I have had both and kept the RS80 due to their outstanding value). OK the DA hubs are better, but you really don't notice it when on the road. The rest of the wheel is the same: build, spokes and rims.

The DA and RS80 definitely feel super comfortable to me, I do notice them soak up the buzz over my Fulcrums... But the Fulcrums just look sooooooo good!

Haha... so in summary in my experience: DA for overall quality & comfort, RS80 for overall & comfort & value, Fulcrum R1 for speed and looks!

mfin

Different people experiencing different things, with different wheels.... I was on the same tyres as I moved the set over and run at the same pressure I always run, so all that was 100% consistent in my comparisons. Cant say for Fulcrum 1's tho, only for Zondas and Shamal Ultra.