DT Swiss was began 30 years in the past in 1994 in Biel, Switzerland. In its personal phrases, it “meticulously develop high-performance biking elements that present a aggressive edge to each formidable bike owner.”
Its wheels, like these ARC 1100 Dicut DB 38s, might be seen on the bikes of the UNO-X biking groups, whereas their hubs have lengthy been utilized by wheel builders. It additionally created the star ratchet freehub system, which for the reason that patent ran out the know-how has been adopted by many different of one of the best highway bike wheels.
The development
The DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut DB 38 are DT Swiss’s high quality line of wheels. The principle distinction between the 1100 and the cheaper 1400 are the hubs. Whereas the 1400 makes use of DT Swiss 240 hubs with customary bearings, the 1100 makes use of the Dicut 180 hubs with SINC Ceramic bearings. DT Swiss declare these are superior ceramic bearings to rivals due to tolerances or inside a number of thousandths of a millimetre with the hubs they’re made with. The thought is improved sturdiness and decreased friction.
The 180 hubs are additionally lighter than the 240. The hubs use Ratchet EXP 36, which has a ten diploma angle of engagement, so to have interaction the freehub it is advisable to pedal at most 10 levels. That is designed with a single spring to permit the freehub to show or interact, serving to cut back the variety of shifting elements, enhancing sturdiness in addition to repairability. The ratchet additionally has an enormous engagement contact level, decreasing any likelihood of slip and decreasing put on on particular elements.
One factor I did discover nonetheless was that when spinning the wheel in a stand to get sealant unfold over the within, the cranks spin when the wheel is spinning shortly. This may be a problem with bigger contact factors and extra enamel for engagement – primarily the freehub is extra draggy. That is solely a problem when coasting, and the entrance wheel spins like a dream with the SINC bearings.
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The edges are carbon and hooked to be used with tubeless tyres with an inner width of 20mm and exterior of 26mm, making them slightly on the slender aspect by a few of the newer tremendous broad tyres with 21-23mm inner widths and 28-30mm exterior.
DT Swiss use its AERO+ strategy with these wheels, designed along side aero consultants Swiss Aspect, which incorporates taking a look at efficiency as a complete bundle. There’s translational drag, the wind hitting the wheel immediately in addition to the crusing impact from wind coming at wider yaw angles. There’s rotational drag trying on the spokes and the impact they’ve, whereas Steering Second is taken into account to optimise the wheel efficiency in cross winds. Lastly rolling resistance, with the 20mm inner width with a 28mm tyre producing a smaller contact patch than narrower wheels and tyres whereas sustaining grip.
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The wheel additionally comes geared up with DT aerolite® II t-head spokes for the entrance wheel, additionally for the rear wheel on the non-drive aspect. DT aero comp® II t-head are used on the rear drive-side. 24 are used entrance and rear in a 2-cross 1:1 lacing sample. That is to optimise stiffness each by way of retaining the wheel universally spherical, but additionally sustaining torsional stiffness when braking, accelerating or cornering.
All this places the wheels at 1348g on our scales, barely above the 1299g claimed weight. Nonetheless disc rotor lockrings and tubeless tape have been put in once we weighed, which accounts for the additional grams.
The journey
The primary a part of any wheel assessment is becoming the tyres. I’ve been utilizing the Pirelli PZero RS Race TLR 28mm tyres throughout a variety of wheels, and I’ve to say the DT Swiss have been one of many more durable rims to get the tyres put in onto, however not the worst by a way. Getting them seated was very straightforward although, with valve cores nonetheless in and simply utilizing a observe pump they seated properly.
Nonetheless I did have points with air seeping out so the wheels tended to take a seat at 70 psi as seepage stopped. The valve holders aren’t rubber sealed so even with a number of rim protector plastic rings, it was troublesome to get a full seal even when including extra sealant and checking the rim tape. Usually it settled at 70 psi, nonetheless having added one other load of sealant, it appears to be holding higher, however nonetheless not persistently.
Spinning the wheels within the body additionally did present they have been universally spherical and had no lateral oscillation, one thing that I’ve present in some mid-high finish wheelsets nonetheless.
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Driving the wheels they have been immediately very blissful to speed up in control properly. This was most noticeable from gradual speeds the place they picked up velocity shortly, however was additionally good at increased speeds as nicely. When travelling 45-50kph I used to be nonetheless in a position to get the velocity up properly when sprinting, usually one thing that isn’t as robust a degree for shallower wheels. The stiffness of the wheels seemingly helped with these accelerations together with the low rotational weight. This stiffness additionally helped with cornering confidence because the wheels felt planted and really in management when taking quick or technical corners. The spoke lacing sample and quantity seemingly helps out right here, as typically within the pursuit of aero good points spoke rely is decreased, which negatively impacts cornering and torsional stiffness in my expertise.
(Picture credit score: Future)
By way of aero efficiency I can’t say precisely how they fare towards different wheelsets. I’ve been testing a variety of deep part wheels lately, 50-60mm, and by way of flat efficiency the DT Swiss 38 is a wheel of two halves. In headwinds with low yaw, they do really feel very quick, and I might say akin to a deeper part wheel. Nonetheless in crosswinds they’re secure however don’t really feel as quick, seemingly as a result of decreased sail impact of a shallower wheel in crosswinds. Common speeds aren’t probably the most correct method to gauge issues, however usually these have been slower than a deeper part wheelset over routes with 80-120m/10km of elevation. Nonetheless, I’ve at all times felt that shallower wheels really feel extra enjoyable and energetic to journey due to this, and the DT Swiss actually do. The excessive stiffness and low weight do make these very good for climbs, but additionally throwing round a bit and quick dealing with. If I used to be racing, even on hillier terrain, I might use a 50-60mm wheelset. Nonetheless for everyday using and maximising enjoyable, these wheels are very good.
Worth & conclusion
At $2,999.80 / £2,499.98 these are an costly set of wheels and place them firmly within the increased finish spectrum of wheelsets. Weight and depth are much like the Zipp 353 NSW, however these are $4,422 / £3376. The Hunt 32 Aerodynamicist UD wheelset is available in at $1,829 / £1499 and 1213g claimed weight, however lacks ceramic bearings and the decreased spoke rely could affect total stiffness based mostly on private expertise. The ENVE SES 3.4 wheelset is one other equally spec wheelset however is $2,850 / £3350.
When taking a look at wheels with related weight, stiffness, and aero specs, the DT Swiss really comes out fairly nicely towards the competitors. There are cheaper choices accessible that current higher total worth, however higher total efficiency is questionable.
The DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 38 DB wheelset is a extremely enjoyable set of wheels to make use of. The low weight mixed with the good stiffness makes them tremendous responsive to each little bit of strain that you simply put via the pedals. Add to that nice dealing with, stability, and a quick wheelset that’s respectable when in comparison with deeper rivals and it actually is a good total bundle. It’s not as ‘quick’ as a deeper wheelset over most programs, however it’s subjectively extra enjoyable. Nonetheless, with some tyres it seems to battle to carry above 70 psi and at $2,999.80 / £2499.98 they’re very costly.
