ilovecycling

WH-7900 C24 wheels

What do you guys think about these? I just ordered them from Chain Reaction Cycles in the UK. Cost me $830 shipped. I was going to go with the rs80 wheels (same aluminum/carbon rim, but ultegra level hubs) for $520, but read some reviews that said the Dura Ace hubs roll smoother and engage faster. I figured better hubs plus 140 grams of weight shaved off was worth the extra $300. I know it's too late to ask for opinions, but I'd like to hear from someone that has owned or ridden these wheels.

From the reviews I have read, the general consensus seems to be that both of these wheelsets are extremely underrated and a great value. I hope this turns out to be true.

learnmedia

I'm still enjoying my WH-7850-CL24 wheels after over 3000 mi. on 'em. They are the previous model of your wheels. Also purchased at Chain Reaction. Smooth rolling. Nice and light. Yet durable. Rear wheel went out of true once and has been fine since. The high tensioning of the spokes makes them pretty stiff. And somewhat aero even for a box section wheel. Very comfortable paired with Conti GP 4000 tires. Love mine.

ilovecycling

Good to hear. I will be using 25mm GP4000s tires for mine. Great tire, btw. They are on my Reynolds carbon clinchers right now, but I'll move them over to the c24s once they show up. Will probably buy some GP4000s in 23mm for the Reynolds wheels.

Silvercivic27

I've heard they're flexy, but surprisingly aero considering their profile. Haven't ridden on any before personally.

learnmedia

I've heard this from others too. It may be that at 157-160 lbs. I'm just light enough for this not to be an issue.

M_Wales

Nice set of wheels. Would love to get a set.

knowledgdropper

I have the tubeless, scandium (all aluminum) version. They're very good wheels for sure. Any wheels that are lighter, won't be as stiff. Any wheels that are stiffer, won't be as light. At 190 lbs. with a decent jump, I haven't had any issues with flex.

For me, they've been a great all-around set of wheels for the past 2,000+ miles. YMMV.

merlin55

Actually the wheels are a little stiffer in the lateral plane as my Mavic SSC Ksyrium SLs...I placed the wheels in a sturdy truing stand laid on its side, hung a weigh from the rim and measured the deflection with a dial indicator....and averaged 5 measurements... The wider width of the Shimano rim, high spoke tension, plus the layer of carbon fiber more than compensates for the low spoke count....and yes I am a mechanical engineer

scirocco

You won't be disappointed. I have a set of the previous model and they are great.

I wouldn't exactly say they are flexy, but they are not super-stiff like say the Fulcrum Racing 1's and 3's. Just springy enough that even a lighter rider gets a decent ride.

If the hubs seem a little tight when you get them, don't be tempted to loosen them off - they will free up naturally after a couple of weeks.

ilovecycling

Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to keep this in mind.

Anyone know how long I can expect to wait when ordering from Chain Reaction? I qualified for free standard shipping, but don't know how long that takes coming from the UK.

Thanks.

calamarichris

Flexy? I'm 180 and I don't get much flex out of them. I've also got a set of the previous generation 7850 C24's and I love them dearly. Very cushy, but that could also be due to the 23mm GP4000's. Despite the cushiness, I'm unable to get them to flex enough to contact the brake pads.
Mine were also not perfectly tension-balanced from the factory, (I checked them with a tensiometer) and they went slightly out of true after a few weeks and one particularly rough ride. But I trued them up after that, and they've been truer than truth itself for the last 1500 miles.

I've also got a set of C50's, which are almost a full pound heavier than the C24's, but when you get those things rolling on a flat ride... whoo!

lewis3000us

@ ilovecycling & @ learnmedia,

How was your experience dealing with Chain Reaction?

ilovecycling

It was great. Can't complain about anything. Btw, still loving these wheels!

lewis3000us

Were there any any additional charges you had to pay beyond the $830?

OkComputer

After over 1,000 miles, my rear hub is still not rolling freely. I disassembled the hub then put it back together since I didn't how to actually loosen the hub.

Any suggestions or instructions on how to loosen the hub?

I did notice that there was a lot of factory grease inside the hub and the ball bearings. Is it possible that it had too much grease?

Jed19

Very possible. I have the Dura-Ace C50s, and the very first thing I did on taking delivery was to strip the hubs, clean them out and repack the bearings using Finish Line grease. I was advised to do this by an experienced cyclist who knows a lot about these kinda things. The wheels rolled very smoothly from day one.

Gummee

No such thing as too much grease.