‘The pinnacle of aluminium wheels’ is the bold claim DT Swiss is making for its brand new PR 1400 Dicut OXiC wheels.
They weigh 1,435g and the tubeless compatible rim is the first to be treated with the company’s OXiC ceramic coating, which it claims to provide improved braking performance in all conditions and won’t wear out over the normal lifespan of a wheelset.
This OXiC coating, which DT Swiss says is environmentally friendly, is electrochemically applied to the rim surface. Ceramic rim technology isn’t anything new, Mavic used to sell the excellent Open Pro Ceramic which had many fans due to its durability.
DT Swiss its treatment is able to deform with the rim so there’s no chance of the coating become detached from the rim if it's dented following an impact, as could happen with Mavic’s ceramic rims. The finish also won’t fade in the sun.
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Here’s a more detailed explanation of the process from DT Swiss:
“The ceramic layer is achieved similarly to anodizing, by submerging the rim in an electrolyte solution while applying an electrical tension between the rim as one electrode and the container as the other. The decisive difference between anodizing and OXiC lies in the millions of plasma discharges that occur between the electrolyte and the rim, applying high temperature and pressure on the developing oxide layer. Due to that, the developing oxide layer melts, flows and solidifies again. During this process the amorphous (not aligned) structure of the oxide converts to a crystalline (aligned) one. This is why OXiC is so hard and wear resistant.”
So now you know.
The rims measure 18mm internally and 21.5mm externally, with a 21mm depth. They’re laced to DT Swiss Dicut hubs with 240s internals and a 36t ratchet system in the freehub, for quick engagement. DT aero comp spokes are used in each wheel, 20 radially laced in the front and 24 in a 2-cross pattern in the rear wheel.
They’re tubeless compatible, which will please fans of tubeless technology, and supplied with a MilKit tubeless kit.
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At 1,435g - 635g for the front and 800g for the rear - the wheels are certainly light, but the caveat is the 110kg rider weight limit that DT Swiss has slapped on them.
Finally, they cost £799.98 for the pair and should be available very soon. We’ve got a pair coming to the office to test so we can put them through their paces. More at www.dtswiss.com
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15 comments
Get a room, you two....
The Dura-Ace C24 is a much better deal, even lighter and alot cheaper. Although these look alot more nice (and I have the C24's).
Looking at the rim profile and the rest of the components, this is almost identical to the DT Swiss DiCut 21 (or RR440 rims laced onto 240 hubs) but with an added coating.
It'd be nice therefore if the forthcoming review would contain either a lab test or a road comparison with the DiCut 21 to ascertain the effectiveness and longevity of the coating.
Looking at the rim profile and the rest of the components, this is almost identical to the DT Swiss DiCut 21 (or RR440 rims laced onto 240 hubs) but with an added coating.
It'd be nice therefore if the forthcoming review would contain either a lab test or a road comparison with the DiCut 21.
DT swiss RR21 db ordered.
Yeah, with disc brake, no one cares the coating any more.
Why not choose cheaper RR21 db?
Yeah, because anodised coating and ceramic coating are exactly the same. Good one
But hey, if you can wear off ceramic coating after one ride then perhaps you can privode us all with the very technical data as to how you managed this by the way of a very detailed review.
LOL!
Thanks guy for the heads up. Who knew eh!
Ceramic is usually used to reduce friction, so that gives me an instant reservation about wet weather braking. Happy to give them a try in the wet and report back if someone sends them to me for free though.
If they've really made a scratch resistant coating, then great. Brake pad resistance is one thing, scratch resistance from grit is another, and that's exactly what you're dealing with in the wet.
Like I said, I hope they've cracked it. I always complain about how ugly I think alu rims are on modern bikes and carbon rims are still pricey.
Who knew? Anybody with some common sense.
Really good looking but give them to me for one ride in the rain and I bet I can get those rims gleaming silver.
Bought coated Vision Team 35 rims this year and that's all it took - one ride in the rain. Entire coating was gone.
Who knows, maybe this technique is better. Would be hard pressed to be the guinea pig again though.
Your trolling skills are superb, 10/10.
Your trolling skills are superb, like, um, 10 out of 10 unconstituted. Full Marks. Oh you're such a troll, buying coated rims and it rubbing off, like.. OMG
LOL
The titanuim oxidede coating on Mavics 2nd gen Open Pro's was pretty robust and doesnt wear off unless they are dinged.
mine are from 2007 and still going strong.
+breaking is better than aluminum, especillay in mountains where heat dispention is an issue.
+braking in rain is more consistant.
+wear if using swiss stops green pads is almost nonexistant - even in mountains and rain.
+in norther europwean weather - your bike wont get dirty from teh brakes when riding in the rain.
Really don't care for rims that doesn't support Disc. Ceramic coating is a joke. Who cares.