Shimano Dura-Ace WH-R9370: Shimano finally takes its wheels seriously
Shimano dominates the peloton with its groupsets, but its wheels have long played second fiddle to the specialists. With the Shimano Dura-Ace WH-R9370, unveiled on 29 July 2026 and available from September, the Japanese brand shifts gear: carbon spokes, a 23mm internal rim width matched to 28 to 30mm tyres and up to 218g less per pair. Three road wheelsets form the core of the range: C36, C50 and C60. The Shimano Dura-Ace C50 weigh 1302g a pair for €2799.98. It remains to sort real progress from in-house figures.
Shimano Dura-Ace C36, C50 and C60: carbon spokes and up to 218g lighter
The weight saving is the first argument, and it is clear-cut. According to Shimano’s spec sheets, the Dura-Ace C36 drop to 1172g a pair (523g front, 649g rear), i.e. 178g less than the WH-R9270. The C50 fall to 1302g (593g / 709g), 159g less. The C60 make the biggest leap: 1391g (632g / 759g), 218g less than the 1609g of the old version.
This diet starts with the carbon spokes, which replace steel on all three models. The lacing changes according to use: 18 spokes front and 21 rear on the C36, 21/21 on the C50, 21/24 on the C60. At the rear, Shimano uses its OPTBAL lacing (14 spokes on the drive side, 7 on the non-drive side) to balance tension.
The rims have also been redesigned. Shimano claims an aero gain of 7% for the C36 (2 million shape simulations), 6% for the C50 (5.4 million) and 9% for the C60 (6.5 million). An important point: these percentages are calculated against the previous Dura-Ace generation, not against the competition.
C36, C50 or C60: which Shimano Dura-Ace for which terrain?
Shimano clearly segments its three profiles, and the logic can be read in the spec sheets:
- Dura-Ace C36 (1172g): the mountain wheel. The 18/21 lacing is designed to keep weight to a minimum while retaining the necessary stiffness, and Shimano still claims a 7% aero gain on this 36mm profile.
- Dura-Ace C50 (1302g): the all-rounder, the one that makes the most sense for most cyclists. 21 spokes on each wheel, 130g more than the C36 for 14mm of extra depth.
- Dura-Ace C60 (1391g): the speed wheel, for rolling routes, breakaways and sprints. It gets 24 spokes at the rear to handle high power and shows the biggest claimed aero gain (9%).
An interesting gap: only 89g separate the C50 from the C60. For a cyclist who rarely rides in the high mountains, the C60 becomes a serious option.
23mm rim and 30mm tyre: a cautious choice for the Dura-Ace
The internal width gains 2mm and goes to 23mm on all three models. The rim remains hooked and tubeless, optimised for 28 to 30mm tyres. Shimano also drops the tubular versions: the whole range is now tubeless.
It is progress, but cautious progress. While other brands move to a 25mm internal width for the 30mm tyre, Shimano stops at 23mm. Nothing prohibitive with 28 or 30mm, but those who want to push towards 32mm and lower pressures will find better elsewhere. To check your combination, our rim and tyre compatibility calculator does the job.
Cup-and-cone hub: Shimano stands by its difference
Where almost all the competition uses cartridge bearings, Shimano keeps its cups and cones. What’s new: the cups are now replaceable and the sealing has been revised. The brand claims 30% less rotational torque than a conventional cartridge bearing, but without specifying which one or under what test conditions. The real advantage of the system remains fine adjustment and longevity, provided you know how to maintain it.
The rest is pure Shimano: direct-engagement freehub, Center Lock disc mounting and E-THRU thru-axle.
The gains claimed by Shimano: in-house figures
Shimano claims up to 2.7W less drag at 48km/h with 30mm tyres. As with the aero percentages, the reference is the previous Dura-Ace generation, and no competitor appears in the comparisons. Shimano developed these wheels with Alpecin-Premier Tech, Fenix-Premier Tech and Mathieu van der Poel, but pro involvement is no substitute for an independent test.
For time triallists and triathletes, the range is completed by a C99 front wheel (99mm, 788g, €1399.99) and Shimano’s first rear disc wheel (987g, €2799.99).
My verdict
The Shimano Dura-Ace C36, C50 and C60 are the first Shimano wheels in a long time to play in the same league as the brand’s groupsets. Carbon spokes, weight down by 159 to 218g, reworked profiles and a clear split between mountain, all-round and speed: the spec sheet finally ticks the boxes of today’s high end. The cup-and-cone hub, now with replaceable cups, remains a durability argument for those who maintain their equipment.
What raises an eyebrow: a 23mm rim while the market shifts towards 25mm, and aero gains measured only against the old Dura-Ace. At €2799.98 a pair, the Shimano Dura-Ace C50 are coherent and finally modern carbon wheels, but they catch up with the competition more than they get ahead of it. Torn between the C50 and C60? Tell us in the comments.
Shimano Dura-Ace C36, C50 and C60 technical specifications
| Dura-Ace C36 | Dura-Ace C50 | Dura-Ace C60 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rim depth | 36mm | 50mm | 60mm |
| Pair weight | 1172g | 1302g | 1391g |
| Weight F / R | 523 / 649g | 593 / 709g | 632 / 759g |
| Internal width | 23mm | 23mm | 23mm |
| External width | 29.4mm | 31mm | 31.5mm |
| Recommended tyres | 28 to 30mm | 28 to 30mm | 28 to 30mm |
| Spokes (F / R) | Carbon, 18 / 21 | Carbon, 21 / 21 | Carbon, 21 / 24 |
| Hubs | Cup and cone, direct engagement | Cup and cone, direct engagement | Cup and cone, direct engagement |
| Freehub body | Shimano 12-speed | Shimano 12-speed | Shimano 12-speed |
| Brakes | Center Lock disc | Center Lock disc | Center Lock disc |
| Axles | E-THRU | E-THRU | E-THRU |
| Tyre compatibility | Tubeless, hooked | Tubeless, hooked | Tubeless, hooked |
| Price | 2799,98€ | 2799,98€ | 2799,98€ |
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