DT Swiss PR 1400 Dicut OXiC performance road wheel

The PR 1400 Dicut OXiC wheels are a brand new high-performance road wheelset from DT Swiss and feature a ceramic coated rim surface that provides reassuring braking performance in a range of conditions, making them ideal for year-round cycling in the UK.

The application of a hardwearing ceramic coating on the rim is nothing new: Mavic used to produce a highly regarded ceramic back in the day. DT Swiss, though, reckons its new OXiC treatment is able to deform with the rim, which means the coating can't become detached from the aluminium, a problem that plagued Mavic ceramic rims. DT is confident the ceramic coating won't wear our over the normal lifespan of the rim, and it won't fade in the sun.

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The environmentally friendly OXiC coating is electromechanically applied to the rim surface. It's a similar process to anodising (the rim is submerged in an electrolyte solution with an electrical tension between the rim and container), but DT Swiss says the key difference is that its process involves a high plasma discharge, high temperature and pressure, which creates a more durable and resistant coating than traditional ceramic coatings.

The chief benefit of the OXiC coating is the promise of improved and consistent braking performance in a range of conditions. Well, I've been testing them for several months through which they've seen everything from glorious sunshine to waterlogged roads and everything in between, ridden on the commute, daily training rides and weekend outings, and they've been excellent regardless of the weather.

Braking performance using the supplied brake blocks is very good in dry conditions and is similar to any good aluminium rim. They took a little while to bed in, the braking improving after a decent number of miles had been logged, after which they feel very consistent. They excel in all situations, from light speed scrubbing to heavy braking on steep descents that terminate in a T-junction.

Where the rims really start to make a case for themselves is their continued performance in sub-optimal conditions. In the rain and mud and grit-coated surfaces of my local roads, the OXiC coating becomes a real benefit. Braking performance is powerful and predictable, and very consistent.

As well as greatly improved braking in the wet, the other big benefit of a ceramic coating is a rim that is much more durable, better able to withstand the abuse a bike is subjected to when riding in grim weather. Regular aluminium rims will eventually wear away from the abrasion of water and grit, and replacing rims can be an expensive business – as well as dangerous if left unchecked. Ceramic-coated rims should last for years.

The rims are laced with straight-pull DT aero comp spokes to DT's own hubs with star ratchet internals. They weigh just 1,500g – a little over the claimed 1,472g – and they do come with a caveat: there's a recommended rider max weight of 110kg to be aware of. Measuring 18mm internally and 22mm externally, they're not as wide as the widest rims currently available, but wider than traditional rims.

The rims are also tubeless-ready, and DT supplies everything you need, sealant and valves, to ditch the inner tubes. I fitted a pair of Michelin's new tubeless tyres and they popped up just fine with a track pump at the first attempt. There's a little air loss – if I leave the bike for a week I need to top up the tyres a bit – but that's no big deal. Regular clincher tyres with inner tubes also work just fine with the rims.

They also have the same Dicut hubs as found on the DT Swiss RR21 Dicut wheels that Stu tested earlier this year. These feature very wide flanges, intended to increase wheel stiffness, and spin on 240 internals. They are well proven and popular in many aftermarket hubs, and rolled with silky smoothness throughout the test period.

The 36-tooth ratchet system in the rear hubs provides very swift engagement when you stamp on the pedals. I'm a fan of DT's unique RWS (Ratchet Wheel-mounting System) quick releases, being easy to secure the wheel into the bicycle.

The OXiC process creates a matt black finish and DT Swiss has finished the spokes and hubs in a similar colour, producing what can only be considered a smart and sleek wheelset.

Conclusion

The performance is highly impressive. They're stiff and responsive, with no give or flex when putting the power down in a sprint or steep climb. The low weight puts many carbon wheels to shame and while they are pricey for an aluminium wheelset, they are a snip compared with most carbon wheels of comparable weight and performance.

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For year-round racing, training and just riding, these are excellent wheels with highly impressive braking in all conditions. The appearance, build quality and attention to detail is first class. And so far, durability has been impressive – though I'll be holding on to them for longer and reporting back in another six months or so on how that OXiC coating is holding up.

Verdict

Excellent lightweight and responsive aluminium wheels with reliable all-weather braking