Ya know, we figured it was only a matter of time before someone engineered new end caps or axles to fit the Rockshox RS-1’s oversized 27mm fork-to-axle interface. After all, it’s all attached using the same 15mm Maxle thru axle they’ve been running for years. But we didn’t think it’d be this quick!
DT Swiss has just announced RS-1 compatible 240 hubs and XR/XM 1501 Spline One 29er wheelset to fit the inverted fork. The 240’s are based on their long-standing hub design but with a second unique twist: It marries straight pull spoke design with a 6-bolt rotor mount. Normally, they offer standard j-bend spoke flanges with IS 6-bolt mounts or straight pull with Centerlock, so hopefully this union will find it’s way to standard axle options in the future, too. Centerlock rotors’ inside mounting diameter is around 33mm, so they probably could have fit, but with 6-bolt the prevalent item on the trails, we’re pretty happy to see this.
UPDATED: Upgrade compatibility added at bottom of post.
The 240s Predictive Steering hub comes in at 178g, 60g more than their standard 240s (with Centerlock), and has 28 spoke holes. Price is $279 (€189). Now, the wheels…
DT Swiss introduced their Spline One wheels last year, using a new hub design, new rims and new nipples to create a lightweight, adaptable and easy-to-service wheelset. Proving the modularity of the system, they were able to quickly adapt these to fit the new RS-1, too.
Two models will be offered, the XR 1501 and XM 1501. The XR is the XC version with a 24mm wide rim (20mm internal) and a claimed weight of 1540g for the set, only 20g more than the standard 29er set, and all 20g of additional weight should be at the hub. Retail is $1,298 (€829).
The XM 1501 is the “all mountain” version with a 26mm wide rim (22.5mm internal) and 1700g claimed weight with the same 20g bonus. Retail is $1,339 (€849). The rear wheels are unchanged and can be ordered with standard freehubs or the XD driver body. Wheels include tubeless rim tape and valve stem kits.
All items should be available mid-summer 2014. We’re checking on whether you’ll be able to upgrade your existing hubs or wheels and if you can buy a front wheel only, update as we get it.
UPDATE: The hubs are their own platform, so you won’t be able to upgrade existing 240 hubs to fit the RS-1. Same goes for the Spline hubs, but front wheels and Spline hubs will be available separately so you can upgrade piecemeal.
