DT Swiss has launched the latest iteration of its ARC aerodynamic carbon wheels, complete with a modernised rim profile designed to make riding faster and easier.
Headlining this is a new V-shaped outer rim, complemented by a bend halfway up the rim wall.
This serves as a trip for the outer extremity of the rim and fitted tyre, creating a boundary layer of air that enables the rim to pass through with less resistance, according to DT Swiss.
We have the ARC 1100 Dicut DB 55mm wheel-tyre system in for testing. It costs £2,599.98 / $3,261.80 / €2,799.80 / AU$5,000.00.
Harmonious performance
I first got my hands on the prototype for these rims in January 2024, when the brand was showcasing it alongside the Continental Aero 111 front tyre. The two are designed to work in harmony, as part of DT Swiss’ wheel-tyre system – the rear tyre supplied is Continental’s all-round race tyre, the Grand Prix 5000 S TR.
According to DT Swiss, the Aero 111 tyre smoothes the initial interaction with the impacting air, thanks to its indented tread pattern.
DT Swiss says the new 22mm internal rim width (which has been upped from 20mm) is best matched to a 29mm Aero 111 front tyre for the 55mm- and 65mm-deep variants. For the 85mm version, it’ll supply a 26mm Aero 111 tyre.
This combination is also said to offer significant benefits for handling, thanks to a reduced ‘steering moment’, where the momentary force required to steer is lowered (and more consistent) compared to a conventional road tyre at varying yaw angles.
Importantly, DT Swiss claims the ARC front wheel is competitive with a GP5000 S TR tyre, but that the Aero 111 tyre improves performance further.
DT Swiss is reserved on offering specific figures, but has published a series of graphs illustrating these points against rim-depth competitors such as the Zipp 454 NSW, Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 60, ENVE SES 6.7 and Princeton Coda 9590 (to name a few).
The GP5000 S TR isn’t available in a 29mm nominal width, but DT Swiss explained to me at that January 2024 sneak peek that the aerodynamic demands on the rear tyre aren’t as sensitive, while the rider is more likely to benefit from the greater comfort instead.
If bought as a wheel-tyre system, it transpires DT Swiss will offer a 30mm-wide tyre for the rear wheel.
Reduced spoke count
DT Swiss says it has also reduced the spoke count of the front wheel from 24 to 20, citing further aerodynamic gain (to the tune of 0.2 watts at zero degrees yaw, and 0.5 watts at 10 degrees yaw).
This also yields an unspecified weight saving, albeit like-for-like comparisons are impossible due to the new rim-depth offerings.
Where previously the ARC wheels could be had with 38, 50, 62 and 80mm rim depths, the new wheels are available in 55, 65 and 85mm depths.
That said, DT Swiss claims the two deeper wheelsets are lighter than their closest predecessors, while the 55mm-deep version is only 6g heavier than the old 50mm wheelset.
DT Swiss ARC prices and availability
The new DT Swiss ARC wheelsets are available from today, in the three aforementioned rim depths and a choice of two hubsets.
The DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut features the brand’s 180 EXP hubs, while the ARC 1400 Dicut is fitted with its 240 EXP hubs. Both are available with or without the Continental tyres fitted.
DT Swiss is also offering a rear disc wheel for time trial and triathlon use. This features a modified 20mm internal rim channel.
ARC 1100 Dicut DB
- Wheel only: £2,499.98 / $3,144.80 / €2,699.80 / AU$4,699
- WTS: £2,599.98 / $3,261.80 / €2,799.80 / AU$5,000
ARC 1400 Dicut DB
- Wheel only: £1,999.98 / $2,504.80 / €2,149.80 / AU$3,599
- WTS: $2,620.80 / €2,249.80 / AU$4,000
ARC 1100 Dicut Disc
- Rear only: £2,299.99 / $2,795.90 / €2,399.90 / AU$4,200
- WTS: $2,853.90 / €2,449.90 / AU$4,600
