Shimano Dura-Ace C24 Carbon Clincher wheelset

As I recall, the alloy brake track is 0.7 mm thick, so cannot contribute much to lateral strength. Though obvs the beauty of the design is the way the two components complement each other. As mentioned, it's a pity they are so costly to rebuild. Properly maintained, the hubs have a very long service life, long outlasting the rims.

I had a paid of the Ultegra RS80s back in the day. Same rims.

Very soft wheels compared to the Fulcrum 5s and Fulcrum 3s I replaced them with. They just didn't seem to transmit power as efficiently.

Oh, and other brands also use cup and cone bearings.

On average I get through a set of rims in about 6,000 to 8,000 miles. I do ride in some shocking conditions but am always careful about cleaning rims and pads after cruddy rides. I reckon my experience is fairly similar to that of others in my club. If you can get 40,000 miles out of a set of wheels then I reckon that is most unusual.

Great wheels. First wheels I recommend to anyone who cycles in a hilly area (In Japan with the mountains it's a straight forward decision). Lightweight, stiff and strong.  Roll beautifully, alu brake track gives you confidence. I have the 9000's and go back to them often.

I am surprised they didn't make this latest version wider. The internal 15mm width is a bit old school, so I guess they prioritised weight over the "latest thing"

RS81s are £400, less than 100g heavier (most of that in the hub, I'd bet) and visually almost identical to the Dura-Ace. I wonder what difference there is in the quality of construction and whether there is any detectable difference when riding.

I run the new C24s 9100 on a Cervelo R5 having previously wornout a set of C24 9000 wheels on an R3 Team which were replaced with another set before the bike was written off. The new ones are significantly stiffer than the previous version and ride brilliantly - I use Conti GP 2s, 23mm at front 25 on rear.  They are really comfortable and stable and but a tad heavier than the 9000 rendition. The 9000 C24 was very good, the new ones are better.  Braking is also significantly better than the carbon aero wheels I also use, although around 20,000K of all year use will wear the alu brake lining through. 

Finnaly a review on these wheels, I love these wheels, they are light, stiff and VERY comfortable also for the weight they are not to expensive! 
I've got these wheels after a recommandation from a few friends, and I myself recommend these to everyone! 

Two sets of C24s here, Dura Ace 7850 and RS80. Both have performed impeccably in carbon-fiber and steel bikes, and are still a pleasure to ride. They work well with Conti Force/Attack (as HowardR above), Conti Gran Prix, Vittoria CX Corsa and CG Pavè,  Specialized S-Works Turbo, and Schwalbe One—all easy to mount and remove. As Mat remarks, they also provide good ride comfort, and brake well in all weathers. No doubt this current model, like previous ones, sets the bar for price-performance, and in my opinion the average club rider cannot want for better.

Incidentally the review gives the wrong impression in stating that 'The rims are aluminium alloy with a CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) laminate on the hub-facing surfaces'. The C24 rim structure is CFRP, to which is bonded the aluminium well and brake track, a subtle but important difference. 

I've a pair of the previous incarnation, the C24 9000, shod with Continentals Attack/Force tyres & latex tubes and using them always puts a smile on my face – providing a light and very responsive ride (almost as good as the Mavic GP4’s on large flange Campag' Record record hubs that I had 30 yeas ago)

I’ve only encountered the one test where the C24's aero’ abilities get measured & interestingly they gave near enough the same results as a lot of deeper rims, the Shimano C50 included: http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html The article is now a few years out of date & so I’m guessing that aero’ wheels may have improved a bit & people don’t just buy them ‘cos they look good – that would be silly

And – whilst prattling on about wheels – I can’t help but wonder if bike’s & wheels is similar to cameras & lenses (bear with me!). People spend often spend a lot of money on buy an expensive camera & then skimp on the lens – which is strange because it’s in many ways the lens that’s the most important part in getting a sharp image & controlling the depth of field (with the aperture) – the body of the camera does little more than control the shutter (and provide metering) – A bike frame is ‘just’ a thing that suspends the rider between the wheels & holds all the other bits (chain wheel, gears, breaks, handle bars e.t.c in place. The things that make the biggest difference to the ride quality of almost any bike is the wheels & the tyres that they carry  - as demonstrated by the current [return to] all-purpose bikes…..   

And re bike tests - It's a shame that they don't include a section where the thing is ridden with a set of widely availble 'bench mark' wheels  such as  Mavics Aksiums or Ksyriums