Shimano

WH-RS80-C24 CL Wheelset - Clincher

Once again, Dura-Ace technology trickles down to Ultegra. In this case, the Ultegra WH-RS80 24mm Carbon Clincher Wheelset gets a solid dose of high-end benefits. Like their more expensive counterparts, these Ultegra wheels get a 24mm carbon/aluminum composite rim to reduce the rim weight. And as you know extra rim weight is easily perceived during acceleration. Here’s a scientific tip: since acceleration can be defined as a change in direction, the rim’s mass is constantly accelerating, even as you ride at a constant speed.

The unique carbon/alloy construction gives you the lightness of full-carbon rims and the durability of alloy rims. However, we believe the greatest benefit comes when you apply the brakes. The aluminum rim wall provides an excellent braking surface for more confidence in wet or dry conditions, and it doesn’t require special pads. The sidewall then tapers to a barely-there aluminum extrusion, co-molded with the carbon fiber layers on the inside surface. In the end you get a very race-worthy set of rims. But, what good would they be without an equally high performance set of hubs.

The Ultegra WH-RS80 Wheels get hubs that feature cold-forged aluminum shells. The forging process makes then strong enough to resist the fiercest sprint and years of riding on broken tarmac. The hub shells house Shimano’s smooth running cup and cone bearings, spinning on oversized steel axles, this being a difference from the Dura-Ace 24mm wheels. Another difference is the titanium freehub on the more expensive Dura-Ace wheels where this rear wheel uses a steel body. The front wheel employs a sleek hub design and carries 16 spokes in a radial pattern. The rear hub has extra-wide flanges, and the rim is offset so the 20 two-cross spokes are aligned equally to the true, plumb center of the wheel. With this design, drive loads are more balanced, with less dependence on the spokes to do the work of maintaining a true wheel.

The Shimano Ultegra WH-RS80 24mm Carbon Clincher Wheelset is compatible with Shimano 8/9/10-speed cassettes as well as with SRAM cassettes.