DT SWISS Africa: Tech Q&A

[MarcHD]

It must also be pointed out that DT Swiss offer ALL their tech documents, repair how to's and FAQ's with one of the most convenient and powerful product search engines of any cycling brand currently with an online presence. 

 

Do yourself a favour and check it out - all the spares required, all the manuals, available for products past and present.

[MarcHD]

Hey Hubbers,

 

Happy Heritage day - hope you're all getting the opportunity to spend time with family, and if you manage to get a ride in today too, well then you win!

 

Today's post from me is all about education, and to kick things off in this series of posts, I will aim at empowering you with understanding the sometimes confusing nomenclature of DT Swiss wheels so you can know exactly what type of technology you are rolling on...

 

So without further adieu, here is a simplified overview of the DT naming system:

 

The Numbers

Wondering what the "1501" in your XR 1501 wheels or the "391" in those nice XR 391 rims you have mean?

 

This is for three reasons:
 

1. The number indicated the performance level of the product. The lower the number, the higher the quality. Examples:
1200 wheels > 1501 wheels > 1700 wheels > 1900 wheels;

And likewise 180 hub > 240 hub > 350 hub > 370 hub

 

2. Closely tied with the first point. The numbers also dictate the hub technology and therefore overall cost of the wheels

• 1200 wheels = Top of range hubs (180 Ratchet EXP* with ceramic bearings)
• 1501 wheels = High end hubs (240 Ratchet EXP* with high quality bearings)
• 1700 wheels = Mid level hubs (350 Star Ratchet with standard bearings)
• 1900 wheels = Entry point hubs (370 3pawl with standard bearings and steel parts)

3. Heritage: Stems from the original weight of the wheel/rim/hub when first introduced to market. (example: original XR 391 in 26" form was 390g) 

 

*All 1200 and 1501 wheels prior to 2020 used Star Ratchet technology. From 2020 onward, these wheels have been updated to the new Ratchet EXP technology

 

The Letters

 

Just like the numbers having a meaning the letters do too. It's pretty basic here. Each Letter refers to an aspect of the rim.


The First letter refers to the intended use/category:

Road has six categories/families with different intended uses: A/P/E/C/T/G or...

Aero (Aero wheels for Triathlon or TT racing etc) 
Perfomance (All rounders for most races) 
Endurace (For races like the Paris Roubaix where comfort is essential) 
Cross [road] (DT's name Cyclocross)
Track (Track racing in velodrome) 
Gravel (wider and deeper rims than the cyclocross range, updated to meet the demands of gravel touring)

MTB have five families of wheels: X/M/E/Fr/Br or....

Xross country (XCO and marathon) 
Mountain (Trail/ All mountain) 
Enduro (The racing format of all mountain) 
FreeRide (Downhill and Freeride)
Big Ride (Fat bikes) 


The Second letter [if any] refers to the rim being of a higher quality.

As a rim example from the Gravel family:

The G 540 rim is a sleeved rim and uses eyelet spoke holes while the GR 531 is a welded rim that uses thin wall technology requiring special washers instead of eyelets.

 

As a wheel example from the [all] Mountain family:

The XM 1501 wheelset uses a welded rim and washers, while the M 1700 wheelset is a sleeved rim with eyeleted spoke wholes.


The Third letter is always a "C" which of course stands for Carbon

XRC 1200, is the carbon Cross Country wheelset.
CRC 1400 is the carbon Cross Road wheelset.
ARC 1100 etc... 

 

So to conclude

X 1900 wheels use a 3pawl hub as it has the 1900 naming, it also has a a sleeved rim due to the single "X" naming along with price point materials to make the most affordable range in the XCO/XCM family.

X 1700 is always the start of the Star Ratchet equipped wheels identified by the "1700", uses sleeved rims (no second letter) and is fantastic for all round use.

XR 1501 is a Star Ratchet hub, using 240 hub technology, the additional letter "R" means it is now a welded rim and the "1501" means it's very light - DT's more premium alloy wheels.

XRC 1200 means it is an upgraded ratchet EXP hub technology with ceramic bearings (180 hub) Carbon rim because of the "C" and very light because of the "1200" designation. The top of the range wheels from DT Swiss piloted to many XCO and XCM race wins by the likes of Nino Schurter.
 

 

That's it guys, I know it's a lot to take in, but hopefully this will give you a good understanding of what technology you are currently rolling on when you are looking for spares, replacement parts or perhaps even considering upgrading.

 

If you're still not sure, head over to DT's very powerful product support page that can help you easily navigate through the plethora of products to find exactly what technology you're rolling on.

 

Cheers

[BaGearA]

It must also be pointed out that DT Swiss offer ALL their tech documents, repair how to's and FAQ's with one of the most convenient and powerful product search engines of any cycling brand currently with an online presence.

 

Do yourself a favour and check it out - all the spares required, all the manuals, available for products past and present.

 

What's the point of reading the documentation if you can't buy the tools you need to do the service in first place?

[MarcHD]

What's the point of reading the documentation if you can't buy the tools you need to do the service in first place?

 

Again, you can still buy the tools, you will just have to go through your local bike shop.

[BaGearA]

Again, you can still buy the tools, you will just have to go through your local bike shop.

okay sorry I missed that 

 

 

So whats everyone here bitching about ? Paying a premium for proper tools ? get lost 

[Jewbacca]

okay sorry I missed that 

 

 

So whats everyone here bitching about ? Paying a premium for proper tools ? get lost 

hahahaha yes

 

People are upset that DT don't sell their tools direct to consumer.

 

And then that workshops charge a 'premium' for knowledge and time. And that shops who are shops put a mark up on things.

 

Because Ford sell direct to consumer without a mark up.....   

[Alouette3]

Hey Hubbers,

 

2. Closely tied with the first point. The numbers also dictate the hub technology and therefore overall cost of the wheels

• 1900 wheels = Entry point hubs (370 3pawl with standard bearings and steel parts)

 

Thanks! This answers one question I was wondering about on my YT OEM wheels, I can now prepare for future servicing.

 

I did exactly this at 6:30am this morning for a fellow Hubber needing a tech document on a 2013 Scott Nude 2 shock. We also do our best to carry tech documents, not just for all of DT Swiss products, but documents for all the brands which use DT internals/parts on an OEM level (such as the aforementioned Giant example) 

 

Could you share this manual? Been wanting to do a basic air can service for a friend, but there are no doc available! Even the specialists guys don't like to touch these things!

[MarcHD]

Thanks! This answers one question I was wondering about on my YT OEM wheels, I can now prepare for future servicing.

 

 

Could you share this manual? Been wanting to do a basic air can service for a friend, but there are no doc available! Even the specialists guys don't like to touch these things!

 

Hey man, glad we could help..

 

As for the Nude 2 shock, the document I shared with the other Hubber was more to help assist with rerouting his twinlock cables.

 

Unfortunately going through the doc again and searching online, there doesn't appear to be any step by step service info for the Nude 2 specifically. 

 

The best I could do is the DT Swiss ABS manual, but I'll have to confirm for you if the Nude 2 is based on the same technology. I have sent a PM with the link and will let you know once I hear from service department if this manual is cross compatible with the Nude 2

[Blokeonabike]

Kicking things off, we would like to offer a very brief overview of the many riders out there who may be requiring assistance when it comes to DT Swiss parts or services.

 

As many of you may already know, DT Swiss is one of the most widely represented brands in the world due largely to it's use by many well known bike brand's as the source of things like hub internals, spokes, nipples or complete hubs and wheel sets.

 

Some examples of brands which have used DT Swiss parts on their own brand of wheels, either in the past or still to the present day: (as of September 2020)

 

- Specialized's Roval wheels

- Giant's own brand wheels

- Scott's Syncros wheels

- Trek's Bontrager wheels

 

If you include brands which have at some point used, or continue to use non OEM DT parts (meaning a DT part you could purchase off the shelf) the list grows even bigger:

 

- Cannondale

- Santa Cruz

- Yeti

- KTM

- BMC

- Norco

- Storck

- Commencal

- YT

- Ibis

- Rocky Mountain

- Pivot

- Niner

- Ellsworth

- Ridley

et al

 

If you are riding any model of bike, although usually from "mid tier" and up (R40k+ price range) from one of these brands, you are very likely rolling on some DT Swiss products.

 

It stands to reason we have done our best in researching our market well and do our best as a distributor to import as many of the applicable spares required for all of the aforementioned brands within reason.

Hi, firsty this is an awesome initiative, well done!

 

Then, I have a set of Bontrager rapid drive hubs, do you know if your freehubs will work? I see that you mention that DT swiss parts are used with Bontrager hubs but I just want to confirm.

[MarcHD]

Hi, firsty this is an awesome initiative, well done!

 

Then, I have a set of Bontrager rapid drive hubs, do you know if your freehubs will work? I see that you mention that DT swiss parts are used with Bontrager hubs but I just want to confirm.

 

Hi Blokeonabike, 

 

Thanks for the kind words!

 

The Bontrager rapid drive hubs use a 6pawl drive system very similar to Industry9 (it may even be licensed from them, but I'm not sure).

 

You would need to chat to your nearest Trek dealer to confirm availability and price of any spares you may require.

 

Cheers!

[matthieup]

Hi Marc,

 

Do you know if the Bontrager Duster Elite 148 hub was a DT Swiss made one?

[MarcHD]

Hi Marc,

 

Do you know if the Bontrager Duster Elite 148 hub was a DT Swiss made one?

 

Hi Matthieu,

 

The Duster Elite is often confused as DT Swiss internals as it looks very similar to a DT 370/360 internals, however it is not. 

 

Easiest way to tell if any brand is DT Swiss internals is if the end caps require a cone wrench (or any specific tool) in order to be removed.

 

DT Swiss hubs (and those using the same technology) are always tool free in their removal - one of the many benefits of DT hubs.

 

Best bet is to chat to your closest Trek dealer for assistance in finding the right freehub

[Gerhard765]

Hi, just a question on your hub bearings: I had a bearing failure shortly after bike purchasing (2018 Scott spark). The LBS guys pushed VERY hard for me to install full compliment bearings rather than normal ball bearings. I almost had to go the "Luister jy nou f#@@en mooi vir my" route to stop them from doing it.

 

According to me full compliment bearings are not suited for use in hubs or am I missing something?

[MarcHD]

Hi there Gerhard,

 

Scott's Syncros wheels have started using non DT internals from 2018 onward with certain models, so there is a good chance it wasn't a DT Swiss based hub you were on (I believe some 2018 models used a Formula hub, but I might be wrong) 

 

DT Swiss does not use full compliment bearings in any of their hubs either. 

 

Hope this helps

[Gerhard765]

Hi there Gerhard,

 

Scott's Syncros wheels have started using non DT internals from 2018 onward with certain models, so there is a good chance it wasn't a DT Swiss based hub you were on (I believe some 2018 models used a Formula hub, but I might be wrong) 

 

DT Swiss does not use full compliment bearings in any of their hubs either. 

 

Hope this helps

Thanks for the reply.

[MarcHD]

Thanks for the reply.

 

No problem Gerhard. 

 

We will soon be restocking a full range of bearings for all DT hubs should you need.

(Sealed cartridge bearings)

 

Welcome to send me photos of your freehub internals for me to confirm whether it is indeed DT Swiss you are rolling on.

Edited September 28, 2020 by MarcHD