Are PRO carbon wheels a budget version of Dura-Ace?
 

I gather these are made by Shimano?

Please tell me about them. I don't know anything about them.
Who makes the rims?

I'm mostly interested in the RC50 clincher, but I can't find a good picture of one

This is an RC50.

http://www.rider-store.de/catalog/images/prs691018.jpg

I just saw some of these today at the LBS. The ones I looked at, which I believe are the ones above, had Ultegra hubs on them. I was told that they make a couple different sets of wheels? I don't "think" they are a budget version as much as an outside company making wheels, and other components, for Shimano.

They are significantly cheaper, therefore budget, but the rims are mostly likely gigantex oem with a 12k weave cosmetic layer.

I've got the tubular versions which weigh in at 1600gms for the set. I wanted the monocoque rim and I could'nt be sure whether the clincher was only a rim and fairing design. It's a simpler design with spokes nipples at the rim, which it so much easier to true, without removing the tubular, the high spoke count makes for a strong wheel. The wheels are well made with no blemishes in the carbon work, an extremely even finish in the tire bed with no excess material anywhere and the ultegras are practically indestructible

They are relatively heavy compared to other 50mm tubular wheels because of the Ultegra hubs and extra spoke count.

I don't believe Shimano, who owns PRO, makes them as most of the PRO products are sourced in Taiwan, there were no box markings to indicate the wheel was made at the Shimano malaysian wheel factory.

This is the thread I started when I first got them

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=rc-50+pro

Here is a picture of my rears i'm using

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...7/IMG_7550.jpg

Thank you for the information.

Are they stiff?

Do you know if the hubs are cone and ball with steel axles?
There's not a lot of detailed information on their site.

PRO seem to have a good reputation with regards to aero wheels, many of the pro teams use their disc and specific time trial offerings. This is one of the reasons I went with these wheels over other less known brands in this price bracket.

They are stiff, stiffer than my Reynolds MV32T which is my only carbon comparison.

They are straight Ultegra 6600 hubs, shimano techdocs show they are cup and cone. Shimano only make cup and cone road hubs.

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830608914.pdf

Braking is a bit compromised by the high gloss finish, but it's good with Swissstop Yellow pads. I'm using Conti Competition black chilli tubs which add to the weight (260gms). Can't really ride the tubular version in the rain, unless you don't mind the worn down gloss finish on the braking section.

Thanks again. I've been checking out the clincher version, which I think have 24 spokes front and back, so, hopefully they'll be even stiffer, especially the front :thumb:

They look like corima rims

From my understanding Corima Aero's are only 45mm while these are 50mm, they may come from the same OEM manufacturer.

Performance has these on sale right now Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7801-Carbon 50 Tubular Wheelset
Sale Price: $1,249.99 45% off seems like a good deal.

The RC-50's are still a bit cheaper, USD 1068 from wiggle with free shipping, but the Shimano spec is better.