You probably don’t need reminding that Japanese giants Shimano updated their flagship Dura-Ace groupset for 2017, but it wasn’t just the top-of-the-range gruppo updated for the new year but the wheels of the same name too.
And that doesn’t mean just a token update and a few aesthetic tweaks either; the new Shimano Dura-Ace wheel range – including the R9100 C40 Disc hoops featured – has been completely overhauled.
In line with current trends, Shimano say the new wheel range is more aero, lighter , wider and – you guessed it – stiffer. The Dura-Ace hoops were long due an upgrade and Shimano have really gone to town, covering all the bases in the process.
So, what’s new? Well for starters, the depth – the C40 featured here is joined in the range by the C60, with 40mm and 60mm depths respectively, where previously you could choose from the C35, C50 and C75.
Within each depth you then have four variants, but all feature an external rim width of 28mm and make use of a toroidal (u-shape) rim profile. Your choice is simply disc brake or rim brake, and within that clincher or tubular.
As the name suggests – there’s no smoke and mirrors here – the C40 Discs we have here are the 40mm-deep, disc-ready hoops and, in this instance, we’ve gone for the tubeless-ready clincher setup.
The disc wheels are built to take 12mm thru-axles, and spin around aluminium hubs and a lightweight titanium freehub. Shimano say the elbow-less, straight-pull spokes make for a strong but compliant wheel and the wide flange spacing is designed to offer additional rigidity.
We mentioned weight at the top and the C40 Disc wheels tip the scales at 1,380g in tubular form and 1,563g for the clinchers. With wheels at this depth, it’s all about balance, and Shimano have sought to make the C40s are aerodynamic and lightweight, while still offering the benefits of a wider rim when it comes to stability and ride quality.
As a result, you have a set of hoops which will suit almost any day in the saddle, be it in the hills, through the mountains, over rough roads, in the cut-and-thrust of the peloton or on a big sportive.
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