Swiss Side’s new second generation Hadron² Ultimate aero road wheels promise further drag reductions, increased crosswind sailing effect, and improved stability in varying wind conditions thanks to an all-new and wider rim shape. Much of that new Swiss Side Hadron² Ultimate aero update should sound familiar, as these wheels are almost a direct analogue to the new co-developed DT Swiss ARC aero wheels that were just released a couple of weeks back. But the Hadron Squared version makes some tiny tweaks for a slightly more affordable aero wheel range…
Swiss Side Hadron² Ultimate aerodynamic carbon road wheels
The new Swiss Side Hadron² wheels use the exact same new DT Swiss ARC VU-shaped rim profiles (and more) because the two companies work together for their aero wheel research & development.
Swiss Side brings their unique aerodynamics expertise (first developed in F1) and DT Swiss brings their wheel engineering & production prowess to the table. Together the pair can create some of the fastest wheels available with proven technology and backed by lifetime warranties.
So the result are three depths of aero wheels that will make any road, triathlon, or time trial rider faster out in the real world.
Swiss Side says they are Faster “due to less aero drag and more sailing effect”, More Stable “due to further reduced steering moment and wind sensitivity” and more versatile with a wider 20mm internal rim for modern wider and tubeless road racing tires.
The new rim shape combines Swiss Side’s real world wind studies to analyze real road riding conditions (like with their wild wind tower, pressure rake & pilot tube CdA-meter) and extensive CFD simulation, before finally ending up in the wind tunnel.
The result though is the new VU-shape described in the DT Swiss ARC debut, with the same three rim depths available: 50mm, 62.5mm & 80mm (DT rounded down to 62, but our DT test wheels do measure 62.5mm).
So what’s the difference between Swiss Side Hadron² & DT Swiss ARC?
The difference between the Hadron² Ultimate & DT ARC 1100 wheels then ultimately comes down to the hubs, or rather what’s inside the hubs. Both wheelsets use aero-optimized DT Swiss 180 Dicut hubshells with premium SINC ceramic bearings, but inside the Swiss Side hubs are the older generation two-part DT Swiss Ratchet hub internals. They are a few grams heavier, a bit more mechanically complex, a tiny bit less stiff, but have been proven for a decade in tons of DT wheels. By using the older internals, combined with Swiss Side’s consumer direct sales, you’ll save a couple hundred euros/dollars over the DT ARC wheels with no aero penalty. (There are still the more affordable, but slightly less aero DT ARC 1400 wheels too.)
You also get Swiss Side graphics, which are arguably louder, but also offer nine different decal colors & blackout logo options so you can get matchy-matchy with your bike for an extra 20€ per wheel.
So what’s the same between Swiss Side Hadron² & DT Swiss ARC?
Pretty much everything else. The Swiss Side wheels use the aero VU-shaped, hooked tubeless-ready, full-carbon DT-made rims, the same centerlock disc brake only 180 hubshells, and even the latest generation T-head aerodynamic Aerolite II & AeroComp II spokes.
Developed in partnership with DT Swiss & produced entirely by DT, the new Hadron² wheels even now get DT warranties that bump up to lifetime coverage against material & workmanship problems, plus a 10-year discounted replacement program for actual crash damage.
Swiss Side Hadron² Ultimate – pricing, options & availability
The new Hadron² Ultimate (by DT Swiss) wheels sell for 2198€ with a Shimano 11s freehub no matter the depth: 50, 62.5 & 80mm. SRAM XDR or Campy freehubs are available for an extra 58€ for the disc brake only, aero road wheels. No rim brake version is planned of the Hadron² because its significantly wider profile which would not work with a brake track.
The Hadron² Ultimate 500 wheels have a claimed weight of 1478g, the 625s claim 1682g, and the 800s at 1750g. The wheels are rated for a max 110kg rider+bike setup, and are designed for everyday racing to time trials, and can be combined in various heights to suit wind, rider, or course conditions.
Wheels are available now separately (915€ front/1127€ rear) or in mixed depth sets, direct from Swiss Side’s customizer.
