DT Swiss ER 1600 Spline 32 Wheels [Rider Review]

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DT Swiss is a big name that is frequently mentioned when talking about upgrading wheels. Not only do they offer a wide range of wheels, they also offer some of the top tier wheels for racers! Our customer installed a new ER 1600 wheelset. See what they think!

Overview

Whenever I buy something bike related, I like to ask myself the following before I make a purchase:

Is there value? Is it versatile? Is it easy to service?

In the case of the DT Swiss ER 1600 Spline 32 wheelset, the answer was yes in all three categories (read on for more details or skip to the end for my recommendation)

Value:

To me, value means two things. One, does the quality match the price? And two, what's the longevity? DT Swiss is a well-known brand with a solid reputation, so the value aspect is there for me. Regarding longevity, I have a set of DT 350 hubs on my 2019 Santa Cruz Bronson, which is the same hub model that comes with this wheelset (although it's the spline version). I've been running those hubs for the past few years and have no complaints.

Versatility:

DT Swiss hubs offer great versatility. There are multiple end cap configurations, QR x 100, 12x100, and 15x100. In the case of my Commencal FCB Essential, which I got this wheelset for, I needed to convert the front-end caps from 12x100 to QR.

Another cool feature is that you can upgrade the star ratchet system in the rear hubs to increase the points of engagement. The rear hub on this wheelset came with the 18-tooth star ratchet, which means the hub engages every 20 degrees. You can upgrade the rear hub to a 36-tooth star ratchet for 10 degrees of engagement or a 54-tooth star ratchet for 6.6 degrees of engagement. And it’s super easy to upgrade the hubs.

Serviceability:

There’s nothing worse than a complicated service procedure that requires a service kit + a bunch of specialty tools (looking at you RockShox reverb dropper). In the case of the DT Swiss hubs, they’re easy to disassemble, and the parts are minimal. The ratchet system consists of two star ratchets and two springs.

Thoughts/performance:

Installation was a breeze. I did have to swap the front-end caps, but I was able to pull the original caps out by hand. To install the rear wheel, you need a few tools like a lock ring tool, chain whip, and bottom bracket wrench. If you’re a home mechanic, you should likely have these tools on hand. If not, swing by your local bike shop for help with the installation.

Since I’ve had this wheelset, I’ve put around 200 miles on them, and have been loving them. These rims are the ER model, which stands for Endurance, so they offer long-ride comfort and can take a beating (they support a weight up to 286), meaning you can put all your strength into them, so bomb downhill and blast uphill. They can also handle some light trail duty (dirt trails or fire roads), which is a nice benefit if you like to mix things up. Knowing your wheelset can handle abuse is a comforting feeling and should give you the confidence to do more. I’m looking forward to putting many more miles on these wheels.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for wheels that are going to be reliable and offer exceptional components at a great value, then these are it, in my opinion. Plus, the hubs look cool too, and let’s be honest, looks do matter.

If you have any questions about the wheelset or need to confirm compatibility with your bike, reach out to the Worldwide Cyclery team. I had a compatibility question about the rear hub, and they were able to answer my questions and did so quickly.