I'm on the lookout for a gravel wheelset (size not yet decided) and was looking at the GR1600 from DT Swiss (with 305 hubs).
However, Wiggle have some silly discounts on the lower spec G1800 saving a lot of cash, but I'm unsure of the differences between the two.
I'm not a performance cyclist or skilled technically, just a keen pootler and I'm not worried about minimal weight (as long as the G1800 aren't stupidly heavy) but I do want a good wheelset that's durable and can be serviced.
DT Swiss is a good brand to I suspect their entry level offering at good, but will I really miss out if I don't go for the GR1600s?
-- EDIT --
This looks quite encouraging - DT SWISS G 1800 Spline 25 700c wheelset review | off-road.cc
I could get a G1800 wheelset from Wiggle for £164.98
About 200g difference
I think the former uses the 350 hub and the latter the 370. I have the G1800's as my winter wheels and they have been very good, true and straight and reelable for 2 years. I also bought mine on offer.
Also 18t ratchet on the GR1600 v 3 pawl on the G1800.
I've had a good look at the DT Swiss website but I can't quite get my head around what those differences mean for a non-technical, non-performance orientated, committed pootler. 200g doesn't seem huge in the grand scheme of things (although yes, it is rotating weight).
A discounted GR1600 wheelset from Freewheel would be £375 whilst I could get a set of G1800s from Wiggle £165.
We're low income, but I could justify the cost of the GR1600s over the life of the bike, but it's a big saving from the G1800s if I'm not going to notice the difference.
If you're happy with a xdr freehub then the GR1600 wheelset is £300 at Merlin. I'd been tempted by a set but I couldn't justify the cost of a xd cassette on top.
The Wiggle/CRC G1800's are sadly only available in 650b.
I've seen those Merlin ones, they're boost I'm afraid so wouldn't be any good for me.
Wiggle have a weird mix of listings for the G1800 (650b & 700c), I think they're a bit confused - wiggle.com/search?query=g1800
That search gives entirely different results to just looking at what DT Swiss wheels they have in stock. It's no wonder they're struggling when the website fundamentally doesn't work. Thanks for pointing them out though as I could do with a spare wheelset for my Vitus Energie.
The G1800s look hard to beat and I'm not made of money, but I'm also aware that a good wheelset can make a huge difference and I am looking to build a decent bike.
I'm looking at DT Swiss, but of course there are loads of other brands available too. Are there any other good deals about on gravel wheels (12/100, 12/142) that I should be considering?
These at Ribble might be worth a look if you decide on 650b
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/level-650b-multi-surface-wheelset/
I've personally bought a set of the G1800's as I've had a set of M1900's for a couple of years that have been no bother. I'm not sure I'd buy a set at the rrp but at the current price I can't see anything better.
I’ve ridden both hubs quite hard at a demo day.
The 1600 / 350 were noticeably better and worth spending money on if you have it. When you pedal the bike moves quicker.
The 1800 / 370 felt like any other mid priced wheel. Not that it was bad.
Personally not bothered by weight saving and if buying wheels separately would take the cheaper front and the better rear for the engagement on the hub alone.
If you pootle on flat you likely won’t notice the difference. If you like to put power down at short notice you will.
Engagement rather than weight will be the biggest difference. Personally I find that makes it quite a big difference, like spinning an easier gear
I can't make my mind up. I'm a sucker for a bargain, & Wiggle's G1800s are certainly that, but better wheels are better wheels and the extra cost probably negligible over the life of the bike.
I don't need to go for DT Swiss either and I'm not in a huge rush, so I might just wait and see what the market throws up.
Buy the cheaper wheelset unless you're racing.
You can make a bigger weight saving by either going tubeless or fitting TPU inner tubes for loads less money.
I don’t need to go for DT Swiss either and I’m not in a huge rush
Neither was I, but as per others have said the other issue didnt matter to me either, so less than £200 for DT level standards for winter pootling was a east decision even for man indecisive person.
Also 18t ratchet on the GR1600 v 3 pawl on the G1800.
I'd picked up somewhere that the G1800s had 3 pawl freehubs & slower pick up but the DT Swiss website shows them with Ratchet LN freehubs, so I'm not sure. Is the slow pick up a killer?
Sounds like you've already decided on the 1600's and just want justification on your purchase. In which case, just buy them.
I’d go for the cheaper wheels. I have dt Swiss 1900 on my MTB and they been fine. They had the bearings done at 3000km. Which isn’t great. But will the 1600 be any better? I think the key thing is to save the money for top notch bearings when they need changing
Engagement rather than weight will be the biggest difference. Personally I find that makes it quite a big difference, like spinning an easier gear
Could you explain that. I thought engagement was only noticeable as you went from free wheeling to pedalling. So I can see how it can matter on technical climbs or sprinting out of corners. As I don’t see how either apply to Pjay I’d saying it was irrelevant here. But maybe I’ve missed something
If the slow pickup's not a problem for a pootler like me I'm happy with the G1800s. If I understand it I think they can be updated to a ratchet system later.
As above really, I can see the differences on the website but don't really understand how they effect me in practice.
Would it be noticeable compared to my current Hope Pro4 XC?
Why not just change your rims on your current wheels? Dead easy to do yourself if you take your time. You can always get a bike shop to help true/tension them later. You'll save even more money and learn how to build wheels.
Right, I went for the G1800s from Wiggle (700c) for £170.97 (RRP £379.98) including next day delivery. It seems a great deal.
Looking on the Freewheel website there are 2 versions of the G1800. Both have the 370 hubs but the older (discounted version) has the 3 pawl freehub whilst the ones labelled 'New' have Ratchet LN18 freehubs and are described as having an 18 tooth ratchet system.
Wiggle's G1800 listing are muddled and confused but some of the G1800 are shown as having 3 pawl systems and one, which I've ordered, has the Ratchet LN18 system. If this is what actually arrives it should provide better engagement.
Good decision, that’s an incredible price
Just an update. The wheels arrived today and look nice. Disapprovingly though rear wheel has a 3 pawl freehub not the Ratchet 18 LN mentioned in the listing. I'm not sure if this is worth getting upset over considering the price.
Does anyone know if I can simply plug in a Ratchet 18 LN freehub or do I need to convert the hub?
Dunno mate, but the older 370 pawled hub is perfectly fine IRL.
I picked a cheap rear wheel with one on to mullet my enduro bike a while ago.
I only really notice the slower engagement when ratcheting the cranks in techy sections.
It's a listing error according to Wiggle and they'll get it change. They don't have any Ratchet LN rear wheels so it's return for a refund or keep.
I guess that the 3 pawl systems are okay? It's still a blinding deal so I'll hold onto it.
Ratchet LN conversion kits are available but reasonably pricey plus it looks like you need specific tools. Might it be worth doing in the future, does it improve the pickup?
I bought some GR1600 650b last week to go on a new gravel / allround build, with 47c tubeless. They are the "old" models with 350 hubs and the lower spec ratchet mechanism.
I've run DT 240 hub-based wheels for many years and really rate them for their simplicity and ease of servicing. Changing a freehub on my 13,000km+ 240 rear hub and giving the ratchet rings a clean recently was a doddle.
The 240s now seem mainly available on carbon wheelsets which come with a big step up in pricing, so I'm giving the 350s a punt. So far, so good.
To upgrade to ratchet you have to buy a Ratchet LN upgrade and remove the outer ring from the hub.
I found that the 3 pawl had more engagement than the 18T bottom end ratchet
I had read that the Ratchet LN has slower pickup than the 3 pawl.
I am a bit disappointed but the savings still great. As long as the 3 pawl system is durable it'll be fine.
I’m sure my MTB has terrible free hub. But i road them for 2 years without knowing. I only know because when I recommended the wheels to some one else they said they couldn’t possibly own them as they need 15 degrees to engage. Now they mention it I can very occasionally tell. But if no one has told me I’d never have know
My 3 pawl DT 370 didn't need touching in the 5 years I used them
Cheers. I'm clearly worrying about nothing. They were quite a bargain and will be fine. 👍
I guess that the 3 pawl systems are okay?
It's what my £1500 Zipp 404s use....
In fact all my fancy carbon road wheels are 3 pawl freehubs.