Shimano C24 CL Clincher 7850 or 7900

martincashman

I'm looking for lighter faster wheels but can be ridden in all conditions, I have a winter bike for the bad stuff so they won't be out when it gets really nasty. One of the conditions I'm looking for is to have an alloy braking surface for less hassle. Anyways the Shimano 7850's were pointed out to me as a good balance between lightness, stiffness and durability. Then I saw that the 7900's are a few quid cheaper in most places (£580 v's £605). javascript:emoticon(':?')

Forgive my ignorance but I would assume the 7900 was the next gen of the 7850 and thus better, so can't figure why it's cheaper or which is best. Any advice?

I currently have Shimano R550's that came with the bike.

Pseudonym

7900 is the latest iteration of the 'old' 7850 wheelset. In practice, I don't think there's much difference between the two, apart from some minor cosmetics...

Not sure where you are looking at 7900s for £580, but if you can get them at that price, then go for it...

ShutUpLegs

If you have Shimano R550's, then why not go for RS80's?

paggnr

RS80s are a great upgrade from the R550s

Guglielmo

Yes RS80 are basically the same as dura-ace. Plus I'm selling mine at a bargain 280! Pm me or check my posts.

ShutUpLegs

Guglielmo wrote:

Plus I'm selling mine at a bargain 280! Pm me or check my posts.

You may want to list them in the Classifieds. FYI Ribble have them for £305 & Merlin £315

Pseudonym

Guglielmo wrote:

Yes RS80 are basically the same as dura-ace.

apart from the hubs, the spoke count and the all-up weight....

Mccaria

I have both the 7850 and the 7900s and there is very little difference between them - on the bike I would struggle to tell which one I was riding. From memory the spacing on the 7900 hub is different to make it stiffer, but I don't notice it. Both are very nice wheels.

From an aesthetics the 7850 has red nipples vs black ones on the 7900 if you are looking to colour code !

maddog 2

the spoke count is the same.

The only difference is the hubs, which are indeed heavier and run a non-ti freehub. This makes the RS80s a bit heavier overall for sure but the hub is the least important place for any extra weight so in reality the wheels will ride very much like the DA versions, at (literally) half the price.

martincashman

Cheers all, went with the 7900s... will still do most of my training on the R550's but promised myself the only thing I would upgrade when I got the bike was the wheels once I had some experience built up.

Didn't think I'd be upgrading until next year as I was holding out for power meter pedals this year but it doesn't look like they are gonna be out any time soon and I would be a bit hesitant to be an early adopter to unproven technology. So if or when they are launched and if the price isn't crazy, I'd want to see some long term reviews before jumping in.... with both feet.

tigerben

Wiggle have the 7900 at £475 which tempts me… although I had been leaning towards HED Ardennes style wider rimmed wheel as I would put comfort over speed.

Any views on strength / suitability of the 7900 for a 95 kg rider?

Evil Laugh

Not tried the Hed but the da wheels are wide rimmed, had to adjust my brakes a fair bit over my other wheelsets.

They are extremely comfy and stable downhill and cornering.

My 7850 were very robust and have not budged from true since new. I'm 12.5-13.5st depending on whether or not it is xmas!

porker33

tigerben, I have received their latest offers email which has the 7900 C24 wheelset at £569.

Where do you see the pair at £475?

Tks,

tigerben

Porker33 - apologies my bad. wiggle was quoting me the price ex VAT - which does equates back to £570 inc VAT. Apologies did not realise that Wiggle had picked up I live outside of EU... damn cookies.

Evil laugh - thanks for the feedback - I had not appreciated that teh DA wheels were also deemed to be wide rimmed.