Not only has DT Swiss reinvented its light-but-bombproof star ratchet hubs, but its has now built them into super light wheels with carbon wheels at the new DT Swiss 1200 Spline Premium carbon wheels. But rather than just keep all that light weight for the likes of Nino Schurter, it has launched a range of three wheels for all conditions and uses short of downhill racing.
DT Swiss reckons that the rigidity of its new carbon rims is so high that it can use super light Aerolight and AeroComp spokes for weight saving and to give the wheel a little give. Even the XC wheels are rated for an all up rider and bike weight of 110kg.
Top of the weight tree is the XC racing XCR 1200 wheels with a surprisingly wide 30mm inner width (there’s a 25mm version too). Apparently DT Swiss racers like Nino and Kate Courtney have found that they like the tyre shape with a wider rim and the lower pressures that they can run. As it’s a cross country race wheel, there are only 29er versions available, though with those two widths. Claimed weights are an impressive 1412g (25mm) and 1480g for the 30mm width.
Next up and only slightly heavier is the XMC 1200 wheelset. These have an inner rim width of 30mm too, but a slightly heavier build and a deeper section rim takes the weight to 1529g for the 29er and 1435g for the 27.5.
It might seem a big fuss that DT is making, but there hasn’t been a carbon rim in the line for a good number of years and the R&D bods are obviously happy with the new DT Swiss 1200 Spline Premium carbon wheels. In fact, Nino and Kate have been sneakily racing on them for much of the last year…
Finally we have the enduro-specific EXC1200 wheels. These are aimed at tough trail riding and enduro racing. With a ‘system weight’ of rider and bike of 130kg, they’re obviously expected to take a pounding. The EXC1200 wheels have an inner width of 30mm (and a weight of 1670g) for the 29ers while the 27.5in wheelset comes with a 35mm rim and a weight of 1659g.
And now to the prices:
XRC 1200 SPLINE EXP 29 x 30 CL BOOST Front Wheel £799.99
XRC 1200 SPLINE EXP 29 x 30 CL BOOST Rear Wheel MICRO SPLINE/SRAM XD £1099.99
XMC 1200 SPLINE EXP 27.5 x 30 CL BOOST Front Wheel £799.99
XMC 1200 SPLINE EXP 27.5 x 30 CL BOOST Rear Wheel MICRO SPLINE/SRAM XD £1099.99
XMC 1200 SPLINE EXP 29 x 30 CL BOOST Front Wheel £799.99
XMC 1200 SPLINE EXP 29 x 30 CL BOOST Rear Wheel MICRO SPLINE/SRAM XD £1099.99
EXC 1200 SPLINE EXP 27.5 x 35 CL BOOST Front Wheel £799.99
EXC 1200 SPLINE EXP 27.5 x 35 CL BOOST Rear Wheel MICRO SPLINE/SRAM XD £1099.99
EXC 1200 SPLINE EXP 29 x 30 CL BOOST Front Wheel £799.99
EXC 1200 SPLINE EXP 29 x 30 CL BOOST Rear Wheel MICRO SPLINE/SRAM XD £1099.99
The wheels will be available very soon from Madison dealers and from Freewheel – freewheel.co.uk
