Shimano Dura Ace WH-7850-C50-CL

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Ganaraska Edge

Bike Setup:
2009 5.5 Project One Madone. Sram Force 53-39, 11-25
Mich Pro3.

Summary:
I will admit I have very limited experience with these wheels but I am not easily impressed but WOW these things are amazing. I have a tendancy to not watch my speed and on my first ride I thought, did I waste my money? It felt like I was not really moving, I look down at garmin and it's reading 36.5km/h in a very strong headwind. I then realized what it was, these things are smooth, it was lack of road buzz that gave impression I was not working real hard. Hard to explain it was an amazing feeling! Wheels look amazing, sound great, fast, handle great, stiff in corners yet smooth on flats and chip seal roads.

Strengths:
Fast, look great, amazing in sprints, like riding on a cloud what use to be rough is smooth what use to be smooth is glass.

Weaknesses:
Was a little worried on how they would climb but wasn't an issue till grade got above 15% and then the stiffness factor kinda took care of some of that.

Similar Products Used:
first set of deep clinchers

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Wiggle

Favorite Ride:
Sun Spot and Steps Llandegla

Bike Setup:
Specialized Tarmac S-Works
Full Dura Ace throughout
Itm bars/stem/seatpost

Summary:
I've been waiting to get hold of these wheels now for around six months as I think Shimano withdrew them until they added rim tape. But it was worth the wait.
In the time I was waiting I borrowed a friends Zipp 808's to try. These were good but I think these Dura Ace wheels are better, the overall quality of the hubs, bearings, spokes, seals and rim just seems to exude a quality that I think is missing on the Zipp's, the fact that the Zipp's are nearly twice the price doesn't seem to be justified. Riding these wheels is a joy, I think they are amazing, very stiff, yet compliant, they also look great and make a good noise. I don't know whether I put more effort in when riding new gear but on a standard 25 miler I have definetly got an increase in my avaerage speed of an extra 1.5mph, it seems effortless to get them up to speed and they like staying there. Little bit of movement in crosswinds but nothing to worry about plus this was a windy day of 20mph + winds. With any wheelset though there aero advantage really only comes in to play on the flat. For triathlons whatever the distance or time trials I think these will be hard to beat.

Strengths:
Quality, visual appeal and price. The fact that they come with skewers, magnet and bags was a nice touch too.

Weaknesses:
Valve extenders are a bit basic but good for emergencies. Little bit heavy not noticeable when riding though all in the hubs, wheel rotation etc blah blah.

Similar Products Used:
Zipp 808's
Mavic Kysriums SL
Shimano Ultegra
Hed tri spoke and disc

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
2008 Trek Madone Shimano / SRM

Summary:
Bought this as I was sick of changing to carbon specific brake pads with my tubes and worrying about punctures on the the American Classics. These wheels are excellent - lively, confident and stable. Not the lightest wheelset in the world but I don't notice it any slower at all in sprints than the Am Classics. Very efficient power transfer. I have not ridden a better handling wheel. Just about as aero as Mavic Carbones but better in cross winds. Damped ride on chip sealed surfaces.

Strengths:
Astonishing stiffness, brilliant handling. Handling is amazing. Very stiff in sprints.
Please do not buy this wheel if you intend to race against me.

Weaknesses:
None (except price)

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Cosmic Carbone Clincher
Spinergy Stealth PBO
American Classic 50mm deep tubular
Ksyrium SL
Spinergy Xaero
Mavic Elite
Mavic Kysrium Elite