TimothyH

What's the difference between WH-9000 and WH-RS81 C24 wheels.

The RS81's are about 150 grams heavier and several hundred dollars less expensive.

Is it just the hubs?

Do the RS-81 use Ultegra hubs?


-Tim-

hsuehhwa

in my opinion just the Dura Ace hubs well justify the price differentials.

hsuehhwa

I think both are durable. Dura Ace components have always been optimized to save weight. Personally I like the sound of Dura Ace hub much better That's probably I'm using Chris King hubs now.


Dura Ace C24 are great wheels at their current price. They're fast and responsive. However, I don't like the response of brake surface of C24 "ONLY" on very steep (>10%) descents. Google "C24 sticky brakes" and you'll find similar complaints.

Elvo

Dura Ace has bladed spokes, ti freehub body, and different hubs

howheels

While this is true, it's not always at the expense of durability, if that's what you are implying. For example, Shimano claims the DA chain is the strongest they make.

hsuehhwa

First of all, we're talking about wheels here.
Dura ace vs ultegra wheels
Less spoke count, is it for weight, or durability?
Use of carbon in the rim, is it for weight, or durability?
Is there one dura ace part that weights more than its Ultegra counterpart?

For the record, "always at the expense of durability" was not my words.

TimothyH

Thank you for this.

I thought the RS81 had blades spokes?

jbucky1 

The difference is hubs. Construction and ti sleeve on the frewheel body - DA
Both are great. I have had 2 pairs of C24's. Only downside is sticky brakes, as mentioned but not a deal braker.

jbucky
https://www.buckyrides.com

Bandera

My RS-81 C-24 set has thin bladed spokes, much less wide/flat than my RS-30 wheels.
The hubs are equivalent in quality to Ultegra with loose ball/cup cones and the "new" cone adjustment type.

I used the front on a recent FG century.
It rides well isn't affected by cross winds and being lighter than the 28 hole clincher it replaced made handling lighter & more lively. Win.

I use brakes as little as possible but the AL brake track is one reason that I went Shimano RS-81.

-Bandera

TimothyH

I own DA 9000 C24's but I'm trying to figure out what I got above and beyond the RS81 wheels for having spent $320 extra.

I'm also considering another build and might go with the RS81's if the difference between them and the 9000 wheels isn't so great. if so then they seem like a great value.