Aerodynamic aluminum wheels for everyone. DT Swiss launches a new line of wheels with aluminum rims, but which bring with them a pronounced concept of aerodynamics. The whole thing is developed around a new wheel design and the Spline family hubs.
AR1600 and A1800, but also ER1600 and E1800, the latter two more devoted to endurance. They have in common theheight of 30 mmLet's get into the specifications of the new wheels. We previewed the AR1600 Spline 30 version.
Aluminum is not forgotten
DT Swiss, or Drahtwerke Trefileries Switzerland. In fact, a drawing of steel and metal alloys, A company that is now a benchmark. One of its strengths has been and remains its aluminum processing and the technologies applied to it, in the field of hubs, rims, and of course wheels. Here's why: we will always find a DT Swiss wheel with an aluminum rim, even in the era of carbon and disc brakes.
It is interesting to point out the wealth of research that the new wheels, developed with the help of SwissSide, bring with them. DT Swiss aluminum wheels are aero components that combine efficiency, low weight, and accessibility (in terms of a modest cost). A democratic wheel? In a certain sense, that's true. To better contextualize this new range of wheels, we also consulted Simon Wassmer, Product Manager Road at DT Swiss.
«If we consider the different price ranges of wheels, aluminum is one of the most used materials. With the new DT Swiss Aero We want to give something extra, that is, make aerodynamics accessible to everyone. It's true that high-profile carbon wheels offer better performance, but they have high prices, while aluminum wheels are more accessible and also offer advantages in terms of performance and bring with them the concept Aero+. A major challenge was to match optimal aerodynamics with the appropriate rim profile, a longer and more complicated development process, compared to a reduced height aluminum rim. Furthermore, it should be considered that a large part of the development processes of the new aluminum wheels are borrowed from the carbon wheel category, as well as all the quality evaluation criteria, because it is always good to remember that our wheels are hand-assembled».
How they are made
The new DT Swiss wheels are four in total, two are part of the family Aero A510 (acronym referring to the circle) and two to the Endurance E550They have in common the shape of the rim and the 30 millimetres of height. However, the internal width of the channel is different, 20 millimetres for the A rim, 22 for the E rim, but both are tubeless ready (tubeless, non-hookless).
AR1600 and A1800
The A (Aero) wheels have optimised aerodynamics able to reduce drag, with the consequent saving of watts. nipples are inside the rim and support 24 spokes in total with a second cross. The profiles are all Aero Comp, with a flat profile. The hub is based on the Spline design is of matrix 350 Rachet SL 36T (these are the engagement points of the opposing gear wheels, inside the hub) for the AR1600 Spline (those being tested), 370 Rachet LN 18T for A1800 Splines.
They have declared weights of 1703 and 1766 grams per pair, respectively. The list prices are very attractive: 599 and 429 euroThe A510 rim alone is also available, at 44,90 euros.
DT Swiss ER1600, E1800
They partly follow the concept expressed by the ERC, the carbon sisters and dedicated to an endurance interpretation and “more comfortable” than the A. are the ER1600 Spline 30 and the E1800 and both adopt a construction strategy borrowed from the A family.
The ER models have the Spline 350 hub, while the E models are equipped with the 370. The spoke pattern, structure and composition remain unchanged. Their declared weights on the scale are 1803 grams and 1837 grams. They are identical to the list pricesThe E550 rim alone is also available.
Our test
The wheel with aluminum rimToday, it serves as a training product, but it's still considered a substantial tool, first and foremost. The DT Swiss AR1600 Spline is one of these, but compared to traditional aluminum disc wheels, its value is very attractive. 1.750 grams per pair (measured and with tubeless tape fitted)It's certainly not a featherweight, but this type of product shouldn't be compared to carbon wheels. Furthermore, it features a 30mm rim with a 20mm channel, as well as a thick spoke pattern.
The result is a package that It adapts well to various types of tires, riding styles and even road surface types. It is comfortable over long distances and when the asphalt is at the limit of passability, using a cycling phrase we can write “it's a quiet wheel”The inner channel of the rim has a width that is the right compromise, it supports 25/26 tyres well, but also the larger 28 ones, without ever bulging out of the ideal line of the wheel. They are appreciated when the gaits are regular, without excessive changes of pace and like all the DT Swiss they have a remarkable smoothness.
In conclusion
The ARs are not peremptory wheels in their responses, dry and super reactive, showing in thebalance and smoothness are the real strengths. To these we must add the relationship between quality and price, which is really interesting, if we consider some all-round performances and a robustness of the entire wheel system that many practitioners still consider one of the cornerstones when purchasing.
