DT SWISS have nigh on reinvented their popular 1501 SPLINE ONE wheelsets, upgrading the whole range to carbon rims with lighter Race-spec spokes hooked up to DT’s new 240 hubset.
From XC to Enduro, DT have opted for a 30 mm internal and 36 mm external rim width across the entire line-up. Despite this, each rim offers progressively larger impact resistance as we look up the line, with the enduro wheelset offering the greatest impact resistance. Let’s take a closer look.
DT SWISS 1501 SPLINE ONE Wheelsets
The new 1501 SPLINE ONE range from DT SWISS covers XC, All-Mountain and enduro mountain biking disciplines, each wheelset optimized for performance according to that discipline’s requirements.
That said, all three wheelsets offer an internal rim width of 30 mm. Wider rims have long been increasing in popularity, now the most common rim width found on the enduro race track, and fast becoming very popular in cross-country racing too.
The major update for the 1501 SPLINE ONE Wheelsets is the fact that they now use carbon, as opposed to aluminium rims. DT’s reasoning for this change is simple; carbon rims are lighter. And stiffer.
The increased stiffness of the new carbon rims has also meant that DT were able to spec the wheelsets with their ultra-lightweight Competition Race spokes. Each wheelset features 28 straight-pull double-butted spokes laced in a 3-cross pattern (1:1).
Each spoke has a middle section 0.2 mm thinner than the previous Competition spokes. As a result, along with weight savings elsewhere, DT SWISS have been able to save up to 180 g on the new wheelsets, as compared to their alluminium predecessors.
All three 1501 SPLINE ONE wheelsets are also upgraded to DT’s new 240 hubset with its 36T Ratchet EXP internals offering 10° engagement. The new hubset is lighter than the previous 240s – around 50 g less on the front and another 30 g lighter on the rear. This is mainly due to the reduced number of parts – seven instead of the original five ratchet components of the 240s. That, and the more precise machining of these alloy hub shells.
XRC Cross-Country 1501 SPLINE ONE
DT’s new XRC 1501 SPLINE ONE wheelset for cross-country mountain biking gets wider rims for 2021. Internal width now measures in at 30 mm, substantially wider than the 22.5 mm and 25 mm internal rim widths offered by the previous (aluminium) generation.
DT cite one major reason for the upgrade to wider rims – a wider rim provides improved tyre support, allowing riders to run lower pressures. This in turn results in reduced rolling resistance over rough terrain as the tyre isn’t forced to move up and over the small stuff – rather the tyre can adapt to the shape of the terrain and track more efficiently.
- Wheel Size: 29″ only
- Axle System: 15 mm x 110 mm & 12 mm x 148 mm
- Brake Interface: Centre-lock (6-bolt adapter included)
- Spokes: 28 DT Competition Race Straight-pull
- Nipples: DT Pro Lock Squorx, aluminum
- ASTM Class: 3
- Weight: From 1544 g
The All-Mountain (SPLINE)ONE
- Wheel Size: 29″ and 27.5″
- Axle System: 15 mm x 110 mm & 12 mm x 148 mm
- Brake Interface: Centre-lock (6-bolt adapter included)
- Spokes: 28 DT Competition Race Straight-pull
- Nipples: DT Pro Lock Squorx, aluminum
- ASTM Class: 4
- Weight: From 1639 g (29″) and 1545 g (27.5″)
EXC 1501 SPLINE ONE for Enduro
- Wheel Size: 29″ and 27.5″
- Axle System: 15 mm x 110 mm & 12 mm x 148 mm
- Brake Interface: 6-bolt and Center Lock options
- Spokes: 28 DT Competition Race Straight-pull
- Nipples: DT Pro Lock Squorx, aluminum
- ASTM Class: 4
- Weight: From 1719 g (29″) From 1609 g (27.5″)
Pricing & Availability
Pricing starts at 1499 € ($1899 USD) for all three new DT SWISS 1501 SPLINE ONE Wheelsets. Under the DT SWISS “Fair-Share” policy, if you break your carbon rim within 10 years of the original purchase date, DT will replace it for a service fee of USD $249 (CHF 249 / EUR 249).
The new 1501 SPLINE ONE wheelsets come with a SRAM XD freehub body as standard but a Shimano Micro Spline freehub kit is included with the sale.
