DT Swiss EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset review

Built for the rigours of enduro, DT Swiss’s carbon EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset has proven to be a bombproof but balanced wheelset. Although it hits an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, comes with speedy engagement and performs superbly on the trail, its price tag may be off-putting against equally performing wheels from other brands. 

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DT Swiss EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset – Technical details

DT Swiss’s EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset is built to please enduro riders with its 30mm internal rim width. DT Swiss is pretty quiet about how the rims are constructed, but they’re built from carbon, and I’m told that they balance lightweight and strength. 

The wheelset is built with the brand’s 240 Ratchet DEG 90 freehub, joined to the rim via the DT’s competition race straightpull spokes and DT Pro Lock Squorx nipples, all in a bid to boost durability.

2025 dt swiss exc 1505 spline rim logo.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Of course, these are tubeless-ready wheels that are taped straight out of the box. They can then be picked up in 29-inch and 650b sizes. There are also options for Centrelock and six-bolt rotor mounts. It is only available in Boost spacing, however, that’s the most common spacing found on most trail and enduro mountain bikes these days.

As for the hubs, that’s where most of the tech is found. The freehub utilises DT’s Ratchet DEG tech, which brings a smaller engagement angle, which should mean a faster-engaging freehub. It also promises easier serviceability, allowing for the replacement of its bearings without requiring special tools and without the threaded ring having to be removed. The ratchets are then larger than before to help cope with larger power loads. 

2025 dt swiss exc 1505 spline freehub.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The hubs also use DT’s fancy bearing technology that makes sure that everything sits flush and perfectly with the axle to reduce play and ensure proper preloading.

Tipping the scale at 1,710g, the EXC 1501 wheelset is right on the money in terms of weight. It’s lighter than Reserve’s 30 HD wheelset, which claims to weigh 1,829g with an Industry Nine Hydra freehub. Then there’s Hunt’s Proven Carbon Enduro H_Core V3 wheelset that claims to weigh 1,956g.

DT Swiss EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset – Performance

It’s always the case that the best cycling kit is always the stuff you don’t really notice, and that’s exactly how the EXC 1501 wheelset performed. But to start – tyre installation. I found it super easy to install and inflate all kinds of rubber to the EXC 1501’s carbon rims. Of course, with thicker, more robust enduro casings, it’s a job that calls for a tyre lever, but that’s totally to be expected.

2025 dt swiss exc 1505 spline front hub.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Otherwise, all of the tyres I tested with these wheels seated with ease, and only with a mere track pump. It’s great to see that the rims are pre-taped too, and thankfully, the quality of the tape job is absolutely perfect, which no doubt aided tyre installation.

Weighing what they do, the wheels perform excellently on the trail. They react promptly to pedalling input while adding a spritely, lively and engaging nature to the bike. The speedy pickup of the 90t ratchet all aids the wheels’ quick feel, too.

However, don’t assume that the lightweight means that they’re not strong because, throughout all I’ve put them through at the tail end of summer, through to the winter, they’re still running true and mighty smooth. They’ve taken plenty of knocks and tyre bottom-outs, but despite that, they’re still performing as they did when new. They have picked up the odd mark around the rim from a flung rock or similar, but they’re still looking rather fresh after my months of testing.

2025 dt swiss exc 1505 spline valve.jpg, by Liam Mercer

With the EXC 1501, DT Swiss has managed to hit an excellent balance between stiffness and compliance. They feel solid under lateral loads, so through corners, but they’re not so stiff that they’re harsh. The wheels manage to absorb nasty vibrations, making for a comfortable but confidence-inspiring ride. 

Thanks to that balance, they cope exceptionally while navigating super uneven terrain where they’re rarely persuaded offline by dodgy rocks and such. They run straight and true, adding a near telepathic feel to their handling. But again, I never felt any untoward harshness or anything particularly negative while riding these hoops.

Although the price may be deemed questionable among the likes of competitive wheels from Hunt and Silt, the EXC 1501 has brought up no foibles in terms of how they ride and their all-out durability. However, some may be turned off by the straight pull spokes, which cost a little more, can be trickier to true and not as readily available.

DT Swiss EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset – Verdict

Priced at £1,550, the EXC 1501 is certainly a middle-of-the-range carbon wheelset. There are more affordable options like the Hunt Proven Carbon Enduro, which will set you back £1,200, but it’s weightier, at a claimed 1,956g. It does feature the brand’s H_Core reinforcement, and similarly to the DT Swiss wheels, it uses a ratchet-freehub.

Silt’s Carbon AM wheelset is priced at a very friendly £800. It uses a lower engagement 45-tooth ratchet freehub as opposed to DT’s 90t system, but it’s similar in weight, coming in at a claimed 1,758g.

The DT Swiss EXC 1501 does beat out the likes of Reserve’s 30 HD wheels at £1,700 and Race Face’s Era wheels, however.

Although you’ll spend a little more for the privilege, DT Swiss’s EXC 1501 Spline One wheelset is as fit-and-forget as a wheelset can get. It’s proven to be super strong throughout testing while reasonably lightweight for a wheel of this type. It’s easy to service, and provides a balanced ride character, as it’s not too stiff, nor is it too compliant. 

• www.dtswiss.com
• The reader’s guide to off.road.cc’s review scoring system

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