Following the announcement of DT’s new 1501 SPLINE ONE wheelsets with their updated carbon rims, you may be left wondering whether or not DT forgot about their aluminium offering altogether. Fear not. The new DT SWISS 1700 SPLINE alloy wheelsets have landed for XC, All-Mountain and Enduro mountain biking, named XR, XM, and EX, respectively. So what’s actually new for 2021? We have the details right here.
2021 DT SWISS 1700 SPLINE Wheels
The 2021 1700 SPLINE alloy wheelsets are the upgrade to the X, M and E 1700 SPLINE wheelsets. The previous 1700 SPLINE wheelsets employed sleeved aluminium rims but the 2021 wheelsets get a significant upgrade to the XR 391, XM 481 and EX 511 welded rims, widely accepted as much stronger than their sleeved counterparts.
Up until now, the 1700 Spline wheels rolled on a DT 350 hub with an 18T Ratchet, delivering just 20° engagement. That was pretty slow engagement by modern standards, though rapid hub engagement isn’t always the preferred option, depending on your riding style. What’s too slow for one rider can mean reduced pedal kickback for another. It is very much down to personal preference.
In any case, DT SWISS saw fit to swap out that 18T ratchet for a 36T SL ratchet which not only makes pick-up faster (10° engagement) but is also lighter – SL stands for super light. DT’s ratchet system is popular for its reliability and serviceability – the process is tool free so maintenance is relatively hassle-free.
The 1700 SPLINE wheelsets are all laced up with DT’s Competition Spokes. These aren’t their lightest offering – the Competition Race spokes are lighter with a thinner middle section. That said, they are a double-butted design measuring 1.8 mm at the middle section and 2.0 mm at either end.
Twenty-eight of these cold-forged straight-pull aluminium spokes lace the DT350 hub to the rim. What does cold-forged mean? It is the process by which DT double-butt the diameter their spokes. Oscillating hammers rotate around the wire, making it more dense and reducing its diameter in some areas.
This cold-forging process is said to help harden the aluminium while ensuring it retains its good ductility. The result is a spoke with a slim butted section that saves on weight but has a strong head and thread for durability.
The 1700 SPLINE Wheelsets use DT’s Pro Lock Squorx aluminum nipples, connected at the rim in combination with a PHR nipple-spoke interface washer. Said washer is meant to distribute load over a larger area. DT reckon the use of the PHR washer allowed them to reduce the wall thickness of the rim, keeping that all-important rotational weight down.
XR 1700 SPLINE Cross-Country Wheelset
Unlike DT’s 1501 SPLINE ONE XC wheelset which has an internal rim width of 30 mm, the alloy XR 1700 SPLINE stays relatively narrow at 25 mm. It seems DT have opted to prioritize keeping weight down over the benefits offered by a wider rim, such as reduced rolling resistance over rough terrain.
- Wheel Size: 29″ only
- Axle System: 15 mm x 110 mm & 12 mm x 148 mm
- Brake Interface: Centre-Lock (6-bolt adapter included)
- Internal Rim Width: 25 mm
- Outer rim width: 29 mm
- Weight: From 1672 g
- ASTM Class: 3
XM 1700 SPLINE All-Mountain Wheelset
- 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)
- Internal Rim Width: 30 mm
- Outer rim width: 35 mm
- Weight: From 1748 g
- ASTM Class: 4
The Enduro One
- Wheel Size: 29″ and 27.5″
- Axle System: 15 mm x 110 mm & 12 mm x 148 mm
- Brake Interface: Centre-Lock and 6-bolt options
- Internal Rim Width: 30 mm
- Outer rim width: 35 mm
- Weight: From 1878 g
- ASTM Class: 4
Pricing & Availability
Pricing starts at 698.80 € / $ USD 885.90 for the 2021 1700 SPLINE alloy wheelsets. All are available with SRAM XD or Shimano Micro Spline freehub bodies for 12 speed cassettes. DT supply the wheelsets tubeless ready, taped with valves.
