SHIMANO Launches All-New DURA-ACE Wheel Line-Up

SHIMANO announces the launch of the new DURA-ACE WH-R9370 road wheel series, a next-generation line-up built for riders who demand uncompromising speed, responsiveness and long-term serviceability. Developed under Shimano’s Science of Speed design philosophy, the new platform delivers improvements in weight reduction, aerodynamic efficiency and structural stiffness and is engineered as a complete system for modern road, time trial and triathlon racing.

The WH-R9370 line-up: C36, C50, C60, C99 (front) and Rear Disc, has been purpose-built to meet today’s racing standards, optimised for 28–30C tyres and tuned to the accelerating demands of elite competition. The new DURA-ACE wheels retain Shimano’s adjustable cup-and-cone system, allowing rotational torque to be optimised when installed on the bike, while introducing replaceable bearings for improved serviceability. This means the rotational torque can be optimised for each individual bike, preventing energy waste and allowing your wheels to spin freely and efficiently.

 

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)

This advancement stems from a fully re-engineered structure, highlighted by new carbon spoke technology, improved rim layups and holistic system engineering across the rim, hub and spoke architectures.

 

Aerodynamic Optimisation for 28–30C Race Tyres

Modern road racing has shifted toward wider tyres to improve rolling efficiency and control. The WH-R9370 series has been designed accordingly, featuring:

•             23 mm internal rim width for optimised tyre shape and stability

•             Front-specific and Rear-specific rim profiles tuned per depth

•             External widths engineered to balance aerodynamics and crosswind stability

 

In controlled testing at 48 km/h on 30C tyres, riders can achieve up to 2.7 watts less aerodynamic drag, combined with an overall weight reduction versus the previous generation, resulting in measurable gains in competitive scenarios.

Each rim profile was refined using advanced computational simulations and validated in controlled aerodynamic testing environments to ensure performance across real-world yaw conditions, not just idealised wind-tunnel angles.

 

Carbon Spokes: Purpose-Built for Race Demands

A defining innovation of the WH-R9370 wheelsets is Shimano’s newly engineered carbon spokes, developed in two profiles to match specific performance objectives:

•             Super Aero: 5.2 mm × 0.8 mm

•             Aero: 4.0 mm × 1.1 mm

Spoke type, count and configuration are tailored per model to deliver the intended ride character, whether lightweight climbing response, all-round race balance, or high-speed rigidity for sprinting and flat stages. Featuring two specialised spoke models: Aero and Super Aero. Each wheel is tuned to achieve its target performance, delivering everything from agile climbing response to all-round racing balance and uncompromising high-speed rigidity.

This system-specific approach ensures that stiffness, aerodynamics and compliance are tuned together, rather than optimised in isolation.

 

Upgraded Cup-and-Cone: Faster, Serviceable and Improved Waterproof Sealing

For performance-driven riders who train and compete extensively, smooth rotation, precise adjustability and long-term serviceability are critical. The new DURA-ACE wheels retain Shimano’s adjustable cup-and-cone hub architecture, known for its smooth rotation and precise adjustment characteristics. This system allows rotational torque to be optimised when installed on the bike, while maintaining stable performance under loads applied from multiple directions.

In addition, the system has been evolved with replaceable bearings, improving serviceability and supporting consistent long-term performance. In comparative testing, Shimano’s updated cup-and-cone system demonstrates significantly lower friction than typical cartridge-bearing setups, contributing to smoother rolling and stable performance over time.

Testing involved two wheels, one with cartridge bearings and one with a cup-and-cone system, to which identical levels of force were applied: 500N vertical force, representing the weight of the bike and the rider, 200N thrust force from pedalling and 5000N clamping force by the thru axle. The outcome showed a 30% lower rotational torque for the new cup-and-cone bearings, compared to typical cartridge bearings.

Key features:

•             Replaceable bearing cups

•             Improved waterproof sealing

•             Enhanced long-term durability

 

NEXT-GENERATION DURA-ACE WHEELS LINEUP

WH-R9370-C36-TL: Lightweight for climbing

Key features:

•             1170 g per set

•             23 mm internal width

•             Front: Aero, 18 spokes, 29.4 mm external width

•             Rear: Aero, 21 spokes, 29.4 mm external width

Lightweight responsiveness is brought to a whole new level with the new C36 wheelset, the ideal companion for rides in mountainous terrain.

 

WH-R9370-C50-TL: Broad performance window for all-round riding

Key features:

•             1302 g per set

•             Front: Aero, 21 spokes, 31.0 mm external width

•             Rear: Aero, 21 spokes, 32.0 mm external width

With the C50 wheelset, riders can expect an all-round race performance, balancing weight, aerodynamics and stiffness for varied courses and changing conditions.

 

WH-R9370-C60-TL: Aerodynamic and with high stiffness

Key features:

•             1389 g per set

•             Front: Aero, 21 spokes, 31.5 mm external width

•             Rear: Aero, 24 spokes, 32.3 mm external width

The C60 wheelset is optimised for flat stages, breakaways and sprint-driven racing where sustained speed and lateral rigidity are critical.

 

WH-R9370-C99-TL-F: Dedicated Time Trial and Triathlon Front Wheel

Key features:

•             99 mm rim depth

•             Super Aero carbon spokes (16 spokes)

•             35.2 mm external width

•             Wheel weight: 792 g

The C99 wheel is designed to minimise drag in sustained high-speed efforts for time trial and triathlon competition.

 

WH-R9370-D-TL-R: Rear Disc for Maximum Aero Efficiency

Key features:

•             Full disc construction

•             Aerodynamic profile derived from extensive simulation

•             Designed to complete the C99 front system

•             Wheel weight: 987 g

Together, the C99 and Disc form Shimano’s dedicated aerodynamic race configuration for solo efforts against the clock.

 

Developed and Validated with WorldTour Athletes and Professional Triathletes

Throughout development, Shimano worked closely with professional triathletes and riders from Alpecin - Premier Tech Cycling Team and Fenix - Premier Tech Cycling Team to validate performance under race conditions. Feedback from athletes competing at the highest level, including top triathletes such as Kat Matthews and multi-discipline World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, played a critical role in refining ride characteristics, including acceleration response, sprint stability and crosswind predictability.

Athlete insight informed spoke configuration choices, rim profile refinements and overall system stiffness targets to ensure the final WH-R9370 line-up delivers not only measurable aerodynamic and weight gains but the intuitive ride feel demanded at race speed.