DT Swiss has released two new rear hub kits based around its existing Degrees of Freedom technology, and revamped its 1700 rim series.
The new hub kits are the DEG DF Race, which incorporates an increased level of float (up to 40 degrees) in the rear hub’s engagement, and the Ratchet DF, which is compatible with cheaper Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs. These kits are designed to reduce pedal kickback, which can hinder rear-suspension movement.
The new 1700 rims span three models aimed at different disciplines – all are now asymmetric, and feature a more pronounced bead seat and rim horn than previous versions.
DEG DF Race kit
DT Swiss’ DEG DF (Degrees of Freedom) kit (released a year ago) converts the ratchet system used in existing DEG freehubs to include an amount of free movement, with the aim of reducing pedal kickback.
DEG hubs are DT Swiss’ hardcore offering, with a larger ratchet surface area and 90 points of engagement using a system of ratchet rings instead of pawls.
The existing DEG DF kit offers users the option of either 0, 10 or 20 degrees of free movement via internal adjustment. That means you can adjust how much slack is in the system until the freehub engages once you’re pressing on the pedals.
DT Swiss says the DEG DF Race kit is an upgrade pack, which can be added to hubs already running the existing DEG DF kit.
The new kit includes only the threaded rings (no ratchet rings or springs) and offers riders options to select increased free play with the freehub, with settings for either 0, 10, 30 or 40 degrees of movement instead.
Ratchet DF kit
DT Swiss Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs now have their own Degrees of Freedom kit. These hubs are less expensive than the DEG hubs, so this new kit opens up the pedal-kickback reduction capabilities of the DF to a new audience.
The Ratchet DF kit offers 14 degrees of float within the freehub – less than the 20 degrees of the DEG DF kit and 40 degrees of the DEG DF Race, which fit the more expensive DT Swiss DEG hubs.
The Ratchet DF kit includes threaded rings, springs and ratchet rings (everything needed for the conversion), and is backwards-compatible with existing Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs.
New 1700 rim series
DT Swiss has updated the rims in its 1700 range, so they are all now asymmetrical. DT Swiss says this enables them to be built into a stronger wheel thanks to more even spoke tension. DT Swiss says the 1700 series rims still use “premium aluminium alloy” and a welded rim joint.
All the new 1700 series rims have an “anti tyre-rim damage design”, where a wider rim horn helps reduce the risk of tyre damage in an impact.
During big hits, DT Swiss says this promotes “controlled denting behaviour”, which it says helps prevent tubeless air leaks. This has historically been a consideration for the brand – helping riders complete race runs with air in their tyres, even if the rim is damaged.
The final update is a change to the tyre contact surface, which now features a more pronounced hump that DT Swiss says enhances tubeless sealing, improves lateral support for the tyre and reduces the amount of pressure loss if the tyre burps.
The XR 421, XM 431 and EX 441 are all based around this new tech. DT Swiss categorises rim lines by discipline: XR for cross-country, XM for trail riding, and EX for downhill and enduro.
