DT Swiss has updated its Spline One mountain bike wheel range for 2016, with multiple width options for cross-country, enduro and all-mountain riders in both 27.5in and 29in sizes.
The strapline for the new range of Spline One wheels is ‘One for all’, and the Swiss firm has certainly aimed to encompass the majority of mountain bikers with the selection on offer.
The company first released its Spline One wheel range in 2010, with updates in 2013 including wider rims and three different wheel sizes: 26in, 27.5in and 29in. For 2016, in keeping with the times, only 27.5in and 29in wheels will be produced.
“Twenty-six is more or less dead,” a DT Swiss representative commented at the recent product launch in France. “With ‘One for all’, we can offer any rider the right wheel to go mountain biking."
DT has updated its Spline One MTB wheel range for 2016 to include Boost options
Another notable feature is the selection of rim widths on offer, including 30mm, 35mm and 40mm rims on the all-mountain/trail XM wheels, for plus-sized tyres. The trend for wider rims gives a greater internal volume within the tyre, allowing tyres to be run at much lower pressure. This, combined with the increased contact patch and change to the way the tread interacts with the ground gives increased traction and control.
The Spline One range also encompasses the new Boost axle standard, with 110mm front and 148mm rear hub widths available on all models. All the new wheel models also have a SRAM XD 11-speed compatibles version available for both 142mm and 148mm hubs.
Spline One range
There are three main product groups within the range: XR, aimed at cross-country riders, the all-mountain or trail-focused XM wheels, and the enduro-oriented EX wheels.
The XR wheels are available in a 22.5 mm rim width in both 27.5in and 29in sizes. XM wheels come in 22.5mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm and 40mm rim widths, again in 27.5in and 29in. EX is available with 25mm and 30mm rims.
The XR wheels are aimed at cross-country riders
The XR 22.5mm and XM 22.5mm wheels also have a 15/110mm option compatible with SRAM's RS-1 cross-country fork.
Rims and hubs
The range features welded alloy rims, all produced in-house at DT Swiss and all tubeless ready.
The rim profile varies between the EX, XM and XR wheels, with each designed to suit its specific purpose. The enduro-focused EX rim has a slightly thicker sidewall when compared to the all-mountain XM rim, and the cross-country XR rim has an asymmetric cross-section, producing a reported 100g weight saving over the XM wheels.
The sleek-looking DT Swiss Spline One hubs are noticeably more svelte than their predecessors. The DT Swiss 240 features the company’s lightest alloy hub shell, weighing in at a reported 92g, and a 36t rachet system.
Straight-pull DT Competition spokes slot into place with DT Pro Lock Squorx nipples
The Spline One wheels include black 52mm straight-pull DT Competition spokes in a 28x3 cross lacing formation, and steel bearings. All wheels are available with Centerlock or six-bolt disc mounts, with the exception of the 20mm which is only available with the six-bolt system.
The DT Swiss 240 rear hub features a 36-tooth ratchet system, giving the "best balance between action and reliability" according to the company. DT also states that its hubs are "more or less the only ones where you can get spare parts all around the world, and you don’t need special tools", referring DT Swiss' tool free system.
Continuing from the original Spline range are the PHR nipple to rim system, including the DT Squorx Pro Head, a small spacer that helps distribute weight across the whole surface, avoiding cracking around the nipple holes.
Pricing and availability
DT Swiss says the range will be available ‘early summer 2016’, so mostly likely around June or July.
Euro and UK pricing is as follows, while US and Australian figures are yet to be confirmed. Boost and SRAM RS-1 Predictive Steering options will be more expensive than listed. We’ll update this article when we receive further information.
XR 22.5 - £749.99 a pair (£799.99 with a predictive steering front)
XM 22.5 & 25 - £749.99
XM 30 - £779.99
XM 40 - £799.99
EX 25 - £749.99
EX 30 - £779.99
Spline One specs
XR 1501 Spline One 22.5
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in and 29in
- Front wheel: 15/100, 15/110 Predictive Steering, and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584x22.5mm (27.5in) and 622x22.5mm (29in)
- Reported weight per set: 1475g (27.5in) and 1535g (29in)
- MSRP: 939 euros (27.5in and 29in)
XM 1501 Spline One 22.5
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in and 29in
- Front wheel: 15/100, 15/110 Predictive Steering, and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584x22.5mm (27.5in) and 622x22.5mm (29in)
- Reported weight per set: 1550g (27.5in and 1635g (29in)
- MSRP: 939 euros (27.5in and 29in)
XM 1501 Spline One 25
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in and 29in
- Front wheel: 15/100 and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584x25mm (27.5in) and 622x25mm (29in)
- Reported weight per set: 1570g (27.5in) and 1645g (29in)
- MSRP: 959 euros (27.5in and 29in)
XM 1501 Spline One 30
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in and 29in
- Front wheel: 15/100 and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584x 30mm (27.5in) and 622x30mm (29in)
- Reported weight per set: 1670g (27.5in) and 1760g (29in)
- MSRP: 979 euros (27.5in and 29in)
XM 1501 Spline One 35
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in only
- Front wheel: 15/100 and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584 x 35mm
- Reported weight per set: 1780g
- MSRP: 999 euros
XM 1501 Spline One 40
- Wheel sizes: 27.5 only
- Front wheel: 15/100 and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584 x 40mm
- Reported weight per set: 1880g
- MSRP: 1019 euros
EX 1501 Spline One 25
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in and 29in
- Front wheel: 15/100, 15/110mm boost and 20/110mm IS 6-bolt
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584 x 25mm (27.5in) and 622 x 25mm (29in)
- Reported weight per set: 1690g (27.5in) and 1770g (29in)
- MSRP: 959 euros
EX 1501 Spline One 30
- Wheel sizes: 27.5in only
- Front wheel: 15/100 and 15/110mm boost
- Rear wheel: 12/142mm, 12/142mm SRAM XD, 12/148mm boost, 12/148mm boost SRAM XD
- Brake interface: Centerlock and IS six-bolt
- Rim dimension: 584 x 25mm
- Reported weight per set: 1760g
- MSRP: 979 euros
