Bike Europe is saying that DT Swiss will be unveiling a new, most cost-conscious version of their Tricon wheels for trail and all mountain use along with a new EXM 150 suspension fork.
For the wheels, first we should mention that DT Swiss has reworked their Tricon hubs and made them one piece. Originally designed to separate the spoke holding section from the axle’s shell in order to avoid any additional stresses that could keep the bearings from rolling as smoothly as possible. Some riders, though, were strong enough to loosen the bond between the two parts, so DT Swiss created a new one-piece hub design, which is featured on these new wheels.
The Tricon M 1700 uses a 26mm wide rim, Tricon hubs with 24 spokes, star ratchet internal mech and tubeless rims. Front wheels will be either standard QR or 15mm thru axle. Rear will be standard or 12×142 thru axle. Lastly, this and all new DT Swiss wheels will be shipping with their new 36-tooth ratchet, reducing the engagement angle from 20º to 10º. This new engagement ring will be available aftermarket too and should work with DT Swiss hubs as far back as at least 2002, possibly earlier.
Giving you something to set the wheel into is the new EXM 150 fork.
It comes set at 150mm travel with black or white lowers, straight or tapered steerer tubes and 32mm stanchions. The lowers are magnesium with their incredibly stiff Torsion Box reverse arch. Rebound damping is set externally and features their Launch Control II, which lets you lock out the fork in the compressed position for better climbing and set the blowoff threshhold that’ll pop it loose and return it to fully active travel. Low speed compression is externally adjustable, high speed is internally adjustable. Claimed weight is 1,645g (3.63lbs).
About those 29er bits: We’ve spoken with DT’s U.S. guys and word is they’ll soon have a more robust (read: some) 29er range, including wheels and forks. I wish we had more to share on this, but at least we know they’re coming.
