Shimano WH-R9270 Dura Ace C36 TL Carbon Disc 12spd Rear Road Wheel

With stunning acceleration, the new DURA-ACE R9270 C36 wheelset will change the way you experience climbs, corners, even stoplights. This is because it isn’t just how much a wheel weighs but where the weight is on the wheel that matters. The all-new C36 design shaves mass at every opportunity but especially at the rim. The result is a lively wheelset that can transform your ride.

With both a lighter, wider all-carbon rim and a lighter hub, the new DURA-ACE C36 won’t shy away from a day of climbing. The new rim is 36 mm deep and still delivers good aerodynamic efficiency despite its gossamer weight. Meanwhile, the hub features an alloy FREEHUB body and a new engagement mechanism for increased rigidity.

Key Features:

• Lightweight tubeless wheels for hilly and mountainous rides
• 36 mm height full carbon rim
• Internal rim width: 21 mm
• DIRECT ENGAGEMENT
• Compatible only with Shimano road 12-speed cassette sprockets

Technologies

Center Lock
The CENTER LOCK system makes an easy rotor installation possible with a spline mount and a lock ring. The lock ring mounting system reduces the total working hours by shortening the amount of time of both installation and de-installation. In addition, the secure fixing by the spline mount enhances precision and rigidity while improving braking efficiency.

D2
Aerodynamic performance is affected by wind direction. To create the D2 rim, SHIMANO engineers considered both frontal and crosswinds, aiming to achieve optimal performance in real-world riding conditions. Extensive prototype testing, in the wind tunnel and on the road, proved that a wide rim shape with a deep tire bed performs best across a wide range of conditions. At yaw angles ranging from 0 to 15 degrees, the SHIMANO D2 rim profile reduces air drag better than others aero shape rims. This rim design also boosts lateral wheel stiffness and offers improved vertical compliance for increased control, comfort and durability on the road.

Optbal
The OPTBAL rear wheel spoke system features 21 spokes—14 on the drive side and 7 on the non-drive side. Cassette spacing in today’s wheels produces unbalanced tension in traditional 1:1 spoke systems. This unbalance is intensified with the 11-speed cassette, producing nearly double the tension on the drive side spokes. Generally, high and low tension spokes have respectively tendency toward breaking down and coming loose spoke nipples. Unbalanced tension affects durability and strength. The OPTBAL design rebalances spoke tension, enhancing wheel rigidity and strength for a more durable wheel.

E-Thru
The tool-less type thru-axle skewer system optimizes rigidity and weight balance and enables easy operation with a reliable internal cam mechanism. The 15 mm thru-axle system is 15% stiffer torsionally and 25% stiffer in transverse shear than a traditional 9 mm quick release front axle system. High rigidity is secured while keeping the optimum weight balance. The E-THRU axle hub system minimizes the distortion of suspension while maintaining lightweight for riding around sharp corners at high speed.