In Pursuit of Balance. The New DURA‑ACE Wheel Range.
Cyclists have always had an obsession with speed. Be it lighter frames, deeper rims, stiffer hubs, smoother bearings, every generation promises more watts saved, more drag reduced, more seconds shaved. But the fastest riders in the world know something the data alone can’t teach: speed is a balance.
The balance between stiffness and comfort. Between aerodynamics and weight. Between confidence and control.
We have delved into what Shimano’s engineers have spent years finessing. Purportedly, the wheels have been through thousands of computer simulations and more wind tunnel gusts than the Outer Hebrides receive in a year.
Shimano have worked directly with Mathieu van der Poel and the Alpecin–Deceuninck team, as well as world-class triathlete Kat Matthews, to validate real-life performance. Trialling from the pros, riders who know exactly how a wheel should behave at 60 km/h in a crosswind or at 1500 watts in a sprint.
The result of this effort is Shimano's new Dura Ace WH‑R9370 series: a new wheel range that doesn’t just perform well on paper but, in our recent tests on the road, we've found to be genuinely fast and stable in a range of conditions.
Where Engineering Meets The Real World
Aerodynamics is often the most questionable part of bicycle engineering. It’s easy to talk about drag coefficients and yaw angles, but the real test is how a wheel behaves under real riding conditions, when the wind shifts unexpectedly or when a rider dives into a corner at speed.
Shimano’s new rim profiles are shaped by advanced modelling and wind‑tunnel refinement, but their true brilliance is how they feel on the road. We found that even the mid‑depth C50, the workhorse of the range, cuts through the air with a stability that will surprise riders accustomed to twitchy aero wheels.
View our Instagram PostWe have always regarded Shimano as a sleepy giant of a company, R&D is methodical and moves glacially. The outcome is typically highly calculated and refined, readily robust for a worldwide market to test to extremes. Our early rides on these wheels have already confirmed one thing: Shimano’s launch claims aren’t marketing flannel, they perform exactly as promised.
Carbon Spokes: The Quiet Revolution
Carbon spokes are one of the most transformative technologies in modern wheel design. Lighter and stiffer than metal, they change the way a wheel responds to rider input. Acceleration feels sharper. Climbing feels more direct. Sprinting feels immediate.
Shimano didn’t simply add carbon spokes, they engineered spoke shapes and patterns for each wheel’s purpose. The result is a lineup where every model feels distinct, intentional and tuned for its typical use.
Aero spokes: 4.0 mm wide, 1.1 mm thick for C36, C50 & C60 front and rear wheels.
Super Aero spokes: 5.2 mm wide, 0.8 mm thick for the C99 front wheel.
The variables are slim, but they make a huge difference when they number up to 24 in each wheel.
Bearings That Carry the Load
Shimano’s cup‑and‑cone bearing system, which has often been criticised by mechanics in the past due to its limited longevity, is now a quiet triumph of engineering. Hubs are fully serviceable, easily and without costing the earth.
While cartridge bearings dominate the market, cup-and-cone bearings effectively manage lateral forces from cornering and sprinting remarkably well, and when they do eventually wear, Shimano bearings can be restored with a straightforward replacement at home or by your local mechanic.
Weight Reduction and Acceleration
Compared with the previous DURA-ACE R9270 generation, WH-R9370 reduces weight by up to 220 grams per wheelset, delivering a markedly more agile climbing feel and sharper acceleration, without sacrificing handling stability or durability.
Weight comparison (per set):
• C36: 1350g → 1170g (–180g)
• C50: 1461g → 1302g (–159g)
• C60: 1609g → 1389g (–220g)
The Lineup: Four Wheels, Four Personalities
C36 The Climber
The C36 is built for elevation. At just 1,170 g, it dances up climbs with a responsiveness that feels almost electric. Its shallow profile doesn’t sacrifice aero efficiency, making it a rare wheel that climbs fast and holds speed on rolling terrain.
It’s the wheel for riders who like to attack the moment a gradient kicks in.
Key features:
• 1170g per set
• 23mm internal width
• Front: Aero, 18 spokes, 29.4mm external width, 36mm depth
• Rear: Aero, 21 spokes, 29.4mm external width, 36mm depth
C50 The Rouleur
The C50 is the wheel most riders will choose, and for good reason. It blends speed, stability and comfort with a versatility that suits almost any race scenario. At 1,302 g, it’s lighter than many mid‑depth competitors, yet stiff enough for sprints and stable enough for crosswinds.
It’s the wheel that makes every ride feel like an all out race.
Key features:
• 1302g per set
• 23mm internal width
• Front: Aero, 21 spokes, 31.0mm external width, 50mm depth
• Rear: Aero, 21 spokes, 32.0mm external width, 50mm depth
C60 The Sprinter
The C60 is built for velocity. A 60 mm rim reduces drag, while a reinforced rear wheel and mixed‑diameter spokes deliver stable power transfer under heavy load. It’s designed to stay fast from the first kick of a sprint through long, high‑speed sections.
It’s the wheel for riders who live for a finish line and blaze of glory, even if it happens to be a race to the signpost on a Sunday club ride.
Key features:
• 1389g per set
• 23mm internal width
• Front: Aero, 21 spokes, 31.5mm external width, 60mm depth
• Rear: Aero, 24 spokes, 32.3mm external width, 60mm depth
C99 The Time Trialist
The C99 is a stunner on first sight. A front 99 mm rim and super‑aero carbon spokes coupled with a full rear carbon disc, create a wheelset that slices through the air with ruthless efficiency. It’s built for riders who race against the clock, riders who understand that time trialling is a discipline of precision, power and getting up early.
It’s the wheelset for long, preferably straighter roads ahead.
Key features:
Front: 99mm rim depth
Super Aero carbon spokes (16 spokes)
35.2mm external width
Wheel weight: 792g
Rear: Full disc construction
Aerodynamic profile derived from extensive simulation
Designed to complete the C99 front system
Wheel weight: 987g
The Future of Speed Is Balance
Shimano’s new DURA‑ACE wheelsets aren’t chasing trends. They’re not built to win marketing awards. They’re built for the way a bike should feel at speed, for the way a wheel responds under extreme pressure and for confidence-inspiring performance. Whether you're an enthusiast or a pro, they’re built for balance. View the range here.
Visit us in store to select the perfect wheelset for your style of riding.