[Closed] DT Swiss wheelsets

People don't seem to like them as the hubs are not super duper but I have had no problems at all over two years.

Everyone says the m1900 are terrible as they don’t pick up as quick. I think they are fine. Have a look around tho to see if you can find any deals.

You can get 350's built on XM481 or Ex511 from Fitwheels for £390-£425.

They are listed on Ebay or you can change spec via their website.

M1700 or E1700 otherwise are a better choice than the M1900 if your used to EX1501's and often available SH on budget

E1900 would be a better bet than M1900 if you’re more into descents - rim has thicker walls than the lighter M1900.

Thank you - E1700s look to be a good bet, although out of price range. I’ll have a look around for some deals

I got a brand new set of XM 1501s last year for £450 for my 27.5 trail bike. They are the best wheelset I've ever owned. Still straight as an arrow after a year of abuse. Worth the extra cash.

Look around for a deal on some 350s as other say (1700 wheelsets are 350 hubs), that way you can change over bits from the EX1501, as they can take the same freehub and so on, always useful in the long run i find. Also see the 350s as being the better overall option over 240s, it's just finding some that's the issue, usually places get sets of M/E1700s that weren't needed for a manufacturer, so just keep an eye on places like CRC and so on.

Fitwheels.eu with 350 hubs. Loads of choices of rims to suit your budget. Got 350 hubs on all 3 MTBs.

I’m have ex1501s on the fs, the wife has a pair of own branded wheels the same size.
currently building a set of CL SP 350s onto ex511s... same size spokes & everything.
That’s the way I’d go...

I possibly need a bit of education here on some of the DT Swiss terminology.

Firstly are EX511s the same rims as on the EX1501s please?

Also I keep seeing the terms CL and SP on some of the DT wheels, what does that mean please?

Cheers

SP is straight pull

CL is centre lock I think

The EX511 is an enduro rim, the EX1501s have a similar rim, but i believe they're slightly lighter, same with the XM1501s having a similar, but not exact rim to the XM481 (XM = All Mountain style).

SP i would guess is straight pull, these are the ones where the spokes are straight rather than the J bend spokes you see normally on hubs where the top of the spoke is bent to thread it through the hub flange hole and then allow it to go to the rim.

CL i'm guessing is centrelock, against that's what type of rotors you use, so CL if you have centrelock rotors, or go for 6 bolt hubs if you have normal style disc brake rotors.

Best bet if i was buying new or nearly new, i'd get a set like the M1700 or E1700s, as DT do make the wheels well, unless you can find somewhere that can put a set of 350s on 511s or 481s.

The one thing you may want to look into is rim width, as they all tend to have 25, 30 and 35mm options, this is down to the width of the tyres you use and will want to use in future, 30mm is the standard most use to allow you to go up to 2.5" or 2.6", as well as use standard 2.2/2.3s.

I have XM481 rims on 240s hubs.
Had them custom built by Allsports in Germany as they were the least expensive option at the time.
That was 2016 and still going strong in spite of being clattered over waterbars in Scotland and general abuse and currently on their third bike frame.
If I couldn't get 240 hubs I would go 350. Both sensible construction with replaceable bearings and ratchets and swappable end caps for when you change bikes and axle size.

EX1501s use either EX471 rims on the 25mm versions or EX511 on the 30mm version.
The lighter XM1501 uses XM481 on 30mm or XM421 on 25mm, XM521 on 35mm and XM551 on 40mm.

XM is All Mountain category, so tough but light and offered in various widths.
EX is Enduro category, so tougher and offered in most relevant widths (25/30).

Thanks everyone for clearing those terms up. I thought that CL must be centre lock but SP and XM had me stumped.

I’ve taken a look on fit wheels which looks pretty good. I think I can just about stretch to EX511s on 350s.

The one thing that slightly bothers me though is that it looks like fit wheels use aluminium nipples. It’s a number of years ago but I was always told to avoid aluminium nipples. Are they okay or should I avoid?

If you’re used to Ex1501 don’t trade down to 1900 without riding. Nowhere close.

Better with a 350 hub on a budget and do it your own way with choice of spokes / nipples / ratchet upgrade etc..

After taking my XM1501s off to go from 27.5 to 29” I bought some used M1900 wheels as a stop gap. They’re ok but the delay in pick up of the freehub is annoying. They’ll be replaced with new (or my rebuilt) 1501s in time.

t looks like fit wheels use aluminium nipples

All the EX, XM and XR factory wheelsets use alloy proloc nipples.

Thank you - sounds like I already have aluminium nipples without realising it

DT swiss are confusing, how do you know what rims are on the wheelset, if you need to replace a rim will your wheels still match or do you need to re sticker them.

Pretty sure it's as follows; Xm1501 all use the xm rims. The ex1501 use the ex rim series. Width dependent as to which rim of course.
I havent seen 1501 decaled rims available aftermarket but I believe you can get them from DT if you want matched decals.
M and E wheels use the cheaper sleeved M and E rims. Same deal on the decals I assume.
1700 vs 1900 is 350 vs 370 butted vs straight spokes

Was looking at this very topic recently.

Hub-wise it appears:
M1900 = 370 3-pawl with 24 points of engagement
E1700 = 350 with 18T ratchet
XM1700 & EX1700 (new) = 350 with 36T ratchet

thought i would ask in here instead of starting a new topic

what is the difference between the m1700 spline one and spline two wheelsets and how do i tell which one i have?

also is it normal to have play in the front wheel end caps?

My E1700 wheelset I spec Ed on my Bird Aeris has been flawless tbh, taken a hammering and never missed a beat bar one broken spoke. Rims seem tough and ratchet system is very reliable and easy to service. I'd like to upgrade to a 52t ratchet at some point as the standard 18t is a bit laggy in certain situations. I chose the the E over the M1700 for the extra strength over the 100g or so weight saving as I'm a heavy and fairly aggro rider, but the M1700 might be fine if you're a little lighter on the bike than me.

I've smashed my E1900s (also on an Aeris) very badly, many times.

No complaints here.

Just got my first DT Swiss wheel (to replace an aged novatec job that’s on its umpteenth bearing change

First impressions are good, except the tubeless ready is definitely not! I’m going to have too strip off the tape as it’s pissing air out all the way round, clean the rim and put some new tape on 🙁 (yea this is not really that big a deal, but I just want to go out for a ride, not drive round looking for tape)

I’m going to have too strip off the tape as it’s pissing air out all the way round

You've got sealant in there as well?

You’ve got sealant in there as well?

Yup, well I did have, cleaned it out so I can run a tube

Little bit of closer investigation shows the tape isn’t stuck properly all the way round

On a positive note, just been for a quick spin, they have a lovely soft purr to them (yup shallow, but I can’t stand noisy hubs)