SQUIRREL_13934076
The DT Swiss ARC 1100 DiCut wheelset is a great performer. It feels light, fast, and agile, yet it's also stable in crosswinds. There's very little to dislike.
However, the old-school rim design means to get the best out of the wheelset, you need to have a specific tyre combination fitted, and that means the appeal could be limited for riders who prefer to use wider tyres.
The ARC 1100 Dicut 55 is priced at £2,499.98 / $3,144.80 / €2,699.80 / AU$4,699.
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55 need to know
- Features a redesigned V-shaped rim with a ‘trip’ edge to reduce aerodynamic drag
- Optimised for use with the 29mm Continental Aero 111 front tyre and 30mm Grand Prix 5000 S TR rear tyre
- 22mm internal / 28mm external rim widths, which may be limiting long-term
- 20 spokes at the front wheel (compared to 24 in the previous generation) to lower drag and weight
- 55, 65 and 85mm depths
- £2,499.98 / $3,144.80 / €2,699.80 / AU$4,699
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55 performance
The DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55 wheelset stood out immediately for its sense of composure on the road. Rather than the hollow, resonant feel that some deep-section wheels produce, these felt noticeably more muted and controlled. That translates into a calm, planted sensation at speed, giving a reassuring sense of stability.
That stability is particularly evident in crosswinds. The wheels cope impressively well with gusty conditions, reducing the need for abrupt steering inputs and helping the bike track predictably. I was also impressed by the wheelset’s ability to dull the impact of poor road surfaces without compromising feedback.
In practical terms, that makes it easier to ride for longer, with less rider input, which in turn helps conserve energy on longer, faster rides.
The 22mm-wide hooked internal rim is contemporary, but while this works well with popular 28-30mm tyre sizes, it’s not as progressive as some newer designs that push into the 23-25mm internal-width range. Bear in mind that the external width is only 28mm, which is markedly narrower than popular top-level wheelsets from the likes of ENVE, Zipp and Reserve.
I suspect that as road tyre trends continue to move towards 32mm and even wider, the ARC’s design will prove conservative, and riders committed to running chunky tyres may find more progressive alternatives better aligned with their long-term needs.
The sense of performance today is unquestionably strong, though. Paired with a 29mm Continental Aero 111 front tyre, the wheelset feels exceptionally fast and efficient through the air – among the quickest road wheels I’ve tested at this depth.
The supplied 30mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR rear tyre is also a good match – a benchmark tyre reinforcing the system’s all-round performance intent.
The only caveat is this performance envelope is quite specific. Within its intended tyre setup, the system feels highly refined, but push beyond that into significantly wider setups, and the design may be compromised.
I also ran a set of 32mm tyres in testing – in reality, the tangible difference to aero performance was hard to detect, and many riders may benefit more from the extra volume and lower pressures they can run with such wide tyres.
However, it’s also fair to say that once you start using even wider tyres, the internal width will no longer be optimal, impacting tyre shape, handling, rolling resistance and grip, as well as aerodynamic performance.
The wheelset uses DT Swiss’ Aerolite II stainless steel straight-pull spokes and its 180 EXP hubset with SINC ceramic bearings.
Until recently, I might have called this a benchmark design, but the lack of carbon spokes in a fundamentally top-line wheelset is beginning to become eyebrow-raising. At least the hubset is efficient, and widely regarded for its reliability, to the point that it’s used across numerous high-performance wheelsets beyond those made by DT Swiss.
Engagement from the stock 36-tooth rings and the single spring is crisp and consistent, and the system elicits a deep and satisfying low-level thrum from the ratchets.
That said, some riders may prefer the 240 EXP variant in the 1400-spec ARC wheelset. While slightly heavier, it has a reputation for being marginally more robust and is arguably better suited to everyday durability rather than pure weight savings. Plus, the 1400-spec wheelset with that hubset is around £400 / €450 cheaper.
Given this top-spec wheelset costs £2,499.98 / $3,144.80 / €2,699.80 / AU$4,699 without the tyres, that might come as a welcome relief.
Also bear in mind that, even with the lighter 180 EXP hubset installed, the ARC 1100 Dicut 55s weighed 1,482g on my scales with the tyres removed. Weight isn’t the be-all-and-end-all, and can sometimes come at the cost of ride quality when the envelope is pushed to the limit, but there are plenty of options around that undercut DT Swiss here.
In my experience, a slightly heavier, arguably better-built wheelset can be a better option for most riders; the generally excellent ride quality and reliability are the key benefits here, and it doesn’t lack responsiveness when climbing or accelerating.
Of recently launched wheels, you might consider the likes of the Hunt 5AM Limitless Ti_UD Carbon Spoke wheelset (£1,999) as a rival, which packs in carbon spokes and weighs around 250g less despite being deeper at the front and wider, while many cheaper wheelsets with a directly comparable spec list exist, too.
Of those I’ve tested, the Hunt 48 Limitless UD Carbon Spoke Disc wheelset (£1,149 / $1,669 / €1,889) feels like a good-value bet for similar performance.
If a general brand reputation for good reliability is important to you, though, plus the sway of a 10-year crash replacement scheme appeals, the premium price tag might be more swallowable. But for sheer bang for buck, look elsewhere.
How I tested the DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55
I tested the DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55 wheelset mainly fitted to a Canyon Ultimate CFR carbon race bike, and have recently used the wheels to help verify the performance potential of the Cannondale CAAD14.
I test road wheels on my local roads, which incorporate a mix of terrain – climbs long enough to simulate sections of longer mountain passes, plus rolling and flat roads. These include the poorly surfaced tarmac common in the UK, as well as sections of smooth or well-worn tarmac.
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55 bottom line
Calm, composed and impressively stable in crosswinds, the ARC 1100 Dicut 55 delivers a refined, fast ride. It smooths rough roads without dulling feedback and feels highly efficient aerodynamically with its prescribed tyre setup.
However, its relatively conservative rim dimensions limit future-proofing as tyre widths grow.
The premium build is excellent, but given the high price and strong competition, this is a very good yet specialised option, rather than a clear value leader.
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 55 specs
- Price: £2,499.98 / $3,144.80 / €2,699.80 / AU$4,699 (not including tyres)
- Weight: 1,482g
- Material: Carbon
- Depth: 55mm
- Rim design: Hooked
- Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite II, stainless steel
- Hubset: DT Swiss 180 EXP
- Bearings: Ceramic
- Tubeless ready? Yes
SQUIRREL_13934076
