Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

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qwezxc123
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:02 pm

Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by qwezxc123 »

Anybody have any experience with Dura Ace c24 tubeless wheelset?
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Lister Farrar
Posts: 3093
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:19 pm

Re: Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by Lister Farrar »

Probably not what you're looking for, but Barton gave me a set of ultegra tubeless with worn rims in case I could get new rims for some loaner junior race wheels. Beautifully smooth hubs, so nowhere near worn out. But no such luck. Shimano proprietary spoke and rim means spokes aren't available at anything like a reasonable price. Rims are $200 each, and spokes, who knows. :x

I'd suggest buying something that you can find spokes and rims for when they wear out or break. Otherwsie you will have very expensive decorations...

Brad Head's Zed wheels, for eg, have all serviceable parts.
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ty b
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:13 pm

Re: Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by ty b »

I run the c24 tubular model version and the spokes are sourced from sweden and cost big cake.

I have come full circle (circa 1990-present) on wheelsets, and without turning this into a weightweenies forum (or perhaps we need to)...

Best buy pre-built: Token C22A ($800 1240g ceramic bearings, carbon hubs)

Best buy handbuilt: Zed Wheels (Made to order, low price ...nice try LBS, great value)
Also if you purchase a set from Brad, he will guarantee that you will place higher than him in EVERY crossontherock cyclocross race masters category entered.
steven grandy
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:42 pm

Re: Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by steven grandy »

C24 happens to have exceptional aerodynamics and pretty good stiffness. The cost of rims and spoke replacement really depends on what income bracket you sit in. If you're looking for training wheels, then I'd consider something where rim replacement is cheap. (Non-proprietary rime/spokes) I haven't seen any wind tunnel data on the token wheels or the Zed's but the advantage of the C24 is that they have a low spoke count. I don't ride them, but have spoken to guys who've placed well in Cat 3 and 2 who say that they're sufficiently stiff. Very light wheels only make sense if you're climbing extreme grades for sustained periods, otherwise aero trumps weight (disregarding the effects of drafting).

John Watkin is selling a set of Mavic carbones for $900 which is reasonable given that they would hold most of their retail value if used for another season. I've seen them listed twice so I my guess is that the price is negotiable. The difference between the Cosmic Carbone 50mm and the C24 on the flats is 2-3 watts at 50km/h for the front wheel. When climbing, less than that.
steven grandy
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:42 pm

Re: Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by steven grandy »

This is an old article but the data is relevant. http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html

What can gathered is that spoke count makes a difference and that there is not too much difference within classes of wheels. Ie 50mm wheels tend to perform as well as other 50mm wheels with the same spoke count. Ie Campy Bora 3s are similar performance to the Lightweight's, marginally less aero than the Easton EC90s. The C24's happen to perform well because of the low spoke count. This is why the 12 spoke Campy shamal still has good aerodynamics by todays standards.(Not listed)
qwezxc123
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:02 pm

Re: Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by qwezxc123 »

steven grandy wrote: John Watkin is selling a set of Mavic carbones for $900 which is reasonable given that they would hold most of their retail value if used for another season. I've seen them listed twice so I my guess is that the price is negotiable. The difference between the Cosmic Carbone 50mm and the C24 on the flats is 2-3 watts at 50km/h for the front wheel. When climbing, less than that.
I will be going from a zipp 303 tubular race wheelset, to a c24, training/race wheelset....
steven grandy
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:42 pm

Re: Dura Ace c24 Wheelset

Post by steven grandy »

Like I said, what you feel like spending depends on your income bracket. I have a friend who rides edge 60mm deep wheels for training rides as he doesn't race. I can't remember what he uses is high wind scenarios but he keeps the rear. The DA 24 in my opinion is a good choice and if you're looking for a training/racing wheel. I'd risk buying he set with the higher spoke and rim cost over wheels with untested aerodynamics.
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