DT Swiss has unveiled a trio of new budget friendly off-road wheelsets. The new 1900 Spline range, which offers alloy rim construction and DT Swiss's proven ratchet hub engagement system, promising a low maintenance burden and high level of durability which should see them become a tempting option for riders looking for the best budget MTB wheelset.
Although all three of these new wheelsets share the same $609.00 price point, they are targeted at very different riders, with appropriate widths for each style.
The lightest version is an X 1900 Spline, and at 1844g, it should make for a competitive endurance or XC racing wheelset. Its inner diameter is only 25mm wide, using DT Swiss's X 432 rim. In terms of standards, the X 1900 Spline is only available as a 29er and with a centerlock brake mount option.
If you require more width, the next option is the M1900 Spline. Weight increases slightly to 1894g, due to the presence of DT’s 30mm M 502 rim. The M 1900 Spline is designed for trail and enduro riding, which is why DT offers it in both the 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheel sizes. Like the X 1900 Spline, the M version only accepts a centerlock brake mount.
Completing DT’s new 1900 Spline range is an E variant. It laces the E 532 alloy rim, with its 25mm internal rim diameter, to DT’s 370 hubs. Designed for e-bikes, it is the heaviest of DT’s 1900 Spline range at 2,004g, and is only available in the 29-inch wheel size. It also happens to be the only of DT’s 1900 Spline wheelset which can be ordered with a centerlock or six-bolt brake mount.
A new Ratchet inside
All DT Swiss 1900 Spline wheelsets are hand-built using Champion spokes with Pro Lock Squorx aluminum nipples.
Standard or boost front and rear hub widths are also supported throughout the range, although there is no SuperBoost 157x12mm option.
DT Swiss is famed for the quality and longevity of its hubs. Spinning all these new 1900 Spline wheels are 370-series hubs that feature the Ratchet LN system.
An engineering blend of the premium 350-series and legacy 240-series hubs, the 370s use the same core internals as DT’s more expensive hubs. Riders can choose to upgrade to 24-, 36- or 54t ratchets if they desire more rapid engagement.
Home mechanics value the ease of servicing with DT Swiss' straightforward but robust ratchet system. Enabling the 1900 Spline product team to achieve its affordability target, engineers made a small change from the Ratchet and Ratchet EXP systems for these new wheels. With the 1900 Spline range, the Ratchet LN has its environmental seal on the freehub body, instead of being part of the hub shell.
