DT Swiss are now offering two distinct lines of wheelsets for eMTB riding. Alongside the existing line of Hybrid MTB Wheelsets built for full-power high-torque eMTBs, DT Swiss has added a new line of wheelsets designed to suit the similar, but not identical requirements, of lightweight lower-torque eMTBs; the likes of the Orbea Rise, Specialized Turbo Levo SL, and the more recently announced Trek Fuel EXe.
DT Swiss say their testing showed the loads experienced by wheels on these lighter light-assist eBikes are different to the loads experienced by the wheels of the full-power eBikes. That comes as no surprise, of course; with battery capacities often well in excess of 600 Wh, and motors with maximum torque values of 90Nm, those rims are carrying a heavier load, and the hubs resisting greater lateral and torsional (and braking) forces than the wheels of eBikes with 240-360 Wh batteries and 50 Nm torque motors.
The opportunity to build fresh wheelsets purposefully built for this rapidly growing segment of the eMTB market was spotted. Enter two new wheelsets; the Carbon HXC 1501 SPLINE ONE LS and the Alloy HX 1700 SPLINE LS.
DT Swiss Hybrid MTB LS Wheelsets
Is there really justification for a distinct wheelset for lightweight light-assist eMTBs? Well, the information DT Swiss has provided on their new Hybrid MTB LS wheelsets makes much of the system weight differences between full-power eMTBs and the new breed of lightweight light-assist eMTBs. That’s the weight of the rider and the bike combined. Let’s take an average American male as an example here: he weighs around 90 kg (198 lbs). Your average long-travel full-power eMTB weighs around 25 kg (55 lbs), while the Orbea Rise weighs a claimed 16.2 kg (36 lbs).
- Total System Weight for Full-Power eMTB = 123 kg
- Total System Weight for Orbea Rise = 114.2 kg
The percentage difference between those two hypothetical system weights is just 7.4%. The weight of the bike doesn’t account for a lot in the grand scheme, and the spectrum of rider weights we see can be vast in comparison. I just thought it pertinent to put that into perspective here.
Regardless, what’s undeniable is that these lightweight light-assist eMTBs do deliver more torque to a rear wheel, and for longer periods of time, than a regular mountain bike does, but a lot less than a full-power eMTB does. It’s reasonable to assume the torque, and associated lateral and torsional forces come somewhere in between. Indeed, this is what DT Swiss found in their simulations, and outdoor testing.
Thus, they saw fit to “close the gap” between the requirements of a regular mountain bike wheel, and the requirements of the wheel of a full-power eMTB. They also wanted to tailor these new wheelsets to fit the needs of the rider who has chosen to purchase a lightweight light-assist eMTB over a full-power option because they prefer the more natural ride feel of the lighter eBike.
So, what’s different? Well, as compared to the DT Swiss Hybrid MTB Wheelsets for full-power eBikes, the Hybrid MTB LS wheels have:
- A lighter rim
- Lighter Spokes
- A lower maximum system weight of 130 kg
- Adapted Hybrid Hubs
Both the carbon and aluminum offering meet the ASTM Class 4 requirements, but importantly, internally at DT Swiss, they are tested to meet higher requirements than the wheelsets aimed at regular mountain bike riding.

HXC 1501 SPLINE ONE LS

