[Closed] Best alloy DT Swiss wheels

Any suggestions?

ex511

As above EX511 on 350 or Hope hubs

ex511 on what ever hubs you want.

Depends hpw abusive you are - EX511 if you hate your wheels, XM481 if you're a bit more circumspect. Or do a 481 on the front, 511 on the rear.

Personally I'd rather go for DT hubs (240s if money isn't an issue), but currently using Hopes as the pair cost me less than a rear 350.

(like you I'm replacing my Hunt Trailwides as they've been rubbish. Pro4s, Sapim D-light spokes, 30mm wide XM481 on the front, 25mm wide EX471 on the back)

I'm running ex511 up front ex471 out back. I like to take the direct line through not the delicate line round.

Heavy but bombproof

As a wheel set you can still get the XM1501 which is 240 hubs and Xm 481 rims.  I got mine for a bargain as an Oem colourway and they are light and strong.  If not complete then rims as suggested above and nice hubs of your choice.

only 45g a rim difference between 511 (570g) & 481 (525g) on a 29" rim

Ex511 are fantastic. Bombproof.

The EX1501 & XM1501 are 240S based wheelsets & absolutely brilliant. As light as most carbon, stronger and ride better than any carbon wheelset I’ve ever used.

The new EX1700 & XM1700 that have replaced them are now 350 based hubs, so a bit heavier, but still great.

As others say, if you have money and want new, then the EX/XM1700s are good, i actually like the 350s over 240s, bit more robust.

If you want to try and get older ones, or S/H, then the older XM/EX1501s are good, i have them and not had any issues, they seem to be able to survive my harsh landings and multiple crashes, probably the only bit of the bike i've not had to have fixed yet!

Crushcores with any rim

I have just bought XM481s on DT350s from Fitwheels for my Mojo4. Had a good chat with the fella there and he recommended the 481s as I run RIMPACTs in all my rear wheels. I've had EX511s and there are definitely bombproof.

I went 350/481 also has they had a deal on (assume as new 350s are coming out) and it made the whole package a bit more affordable. I was looking for something light-ish/strong-ish/reliable and not carbon. Looked at Hunts, but not for long 😉

I'm a big clumsy lump and I've been unsuccessfully trying to destroy a set of EX1501 wheels in the Dark Peak for the last year so whatever the current equivalent is should do you

Hope Pro4 / XM481 on my SC Hightower. Wide enough, reasonably light, plenty strong enough.

I was running Hope 35W. Decided I wanted a lighter set of wheels so was looking at XM481's to re-rim the Pro4's. Almost 100g and end lighter and probably stronger, though I have had 32 months out of the 35W's with only one minor dent in the rear. Not running inserts, either.

No complaints so far on the XM481's.

I run DT Swiss EX1700s and they're brilliant, effectively a rebranded EX511 rim on 350 Hubs (the hubs are pearl silvery white, which I like).

I've just ordered a 54t ratchet to replace the 36t to celebrate their second birthday.

I've recently built up a pair, 350 hubs with XM481 front EX511 rear. Swapped the ratchets with the ones from my road bike wheels (PR1400) as I prefer the quieter 18t ones on the road (and never really felt the need for instant pickup)

I've previously owned the older XM1700s too, the new ones are a step up in quality, the older ones used the M series rims not the XM/EX of the new ones (but the polished hubs looked nicer than the new ones IMO, I have a pair of CR1600s with the silvery-white hubs)

I currently have 4 pairs of DT Swiss wheels (and one set of Hope) and other than weight (and the 18vs36t ratchets) have never really felt any difference when riding them.

Bomb proof

Ex511s with 350 hubs

Yep another vote here. I've got 350 hubs, 481 rims and Dt competition spokes. Really light, ride lovely and seem bombproof..

The Hugene is classed as a trail bike and its 150 front / 140mm rear travel. I think unless you are particularly heavy / aggressive etc then an XM481 rim should be decent. If you’re any of the above then go EX511.

Hub wise Dt 350 or 240 are pretty resilient. 240 is lighter.

Or you could go custom abs get the above rims built into Hope Pro4’s or Bitex hubs and have something equally decent. If you like a noisy freewheel then Hope, if you prefer quieter then go DT. Not sure where Bitex sit - maybe somewhere in the middle.

If you want to sounds like Brandon Semenuk then industry 9 Hydras. Your bike will sound like it’s going 100mph whilst you’re just wheeling it along 🥰

A well timed post OP, split my rear rim last night and was just bout to come on here to ask what to replace it with.

EX511 look like a good choice.

I just had some Ex511 rims built onto Pro4 hubs and they seem bomb proof. Built by mike at 20twenty for a reasonable price compared to local shops around here. I got some rimpact from hunt and put my old tyres on which are still an absolute bugger to fit, now even worse with the rimpact but the wheels feel solid!

I’m sorry but there is no such thing  as a light wheel with hope hubs

This is quite good for looking at hub weights  https://noblwheels.com/blog/actual-hub-weights/

I have just bought some EX511s built onto XT hubs and they are fabulous.

For anybody bothered or researching about rider weight on wheels - I use EX511 (29", 32H) on Hope Pro 4 hubs on my Ibis Ripmo. 120Kg and ride most things, although don't actively jump too much.

Bought hand built from Moonglu and haven't touched them once since buying 22 months ago. Not really ridden that much in the last 12 months tbh but, on the rides i've done, including a few in the dark peak they have always been solid.

Also have Pro 4 hubs on Easton arc40 rims on my HT. Built by chain reaction cycles and they too have never gone out of true when ridden on the same trails.

I really liked the e1700 wheels I had. I’d say the Stardrive hubs are worth the money over the ratchet ones but all of them are decent.

As a lifelong Hope user, I’m a DT man now. Their wheel game is good right now.

I had my old E1700’s rebuilt with 481’s 9 months ago & they’ve taken a beating.
Probably should have gone for 511’s as I was a bit optimistic about my finesse. I also swapped to Maxxis from Michelin and I’ve never had so many punctures.

Sapim D-light spokes, 30mm wide XM481 on the front, 25mm wide EX471 on the back

@jonedwards do you use the DT Swiss nipples and washers that come with their rims on the Sapim spokes?

@TrailriderJim you must use the washers, but spoke and nipple choice is up to you.

do you use the DT Swiss nipples and washers that come with their rims on the Sapim spokes?

Yes. D-lights are 2.0mm threads, so work fine with the DT nips and the squorx ones that come with the rims are a delight to use once you have the tool. As above - you have to use the washers anyway.