Canadian Cycling Magazine

DT Swiss 1501 Spline One 30

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Rim width is a hot topic these days. With so many tire widths and volume options surfacing each year, it can be difficult to find the appropriat­e rim/tire combo. DT Swiss offers its top-end all-mountain alloy wheel, the 1501, in four width options (25, 30, 35 and 40 mm). I gave the 30-mm version a try, paired up with a 2.6" tire.

The 1501 wheels seated my tires beautifull­y and straightaw­ay. The tires even held pressure without sealant, although I wouldn’t recommend riding without some amount of liquid. After a quick and easy freehub swap, which showcased DT Swiss’s precision in the form of very tight tolerances and smooth bearings, it was time to put the stylish 1501 on dirt.

The 1501 are noticeably stiff, which is nice when cranking out of the saddle and leaning into bermed turns. They really seem able to hold your line instead of getting bounced off course when the trail gets rough. The 30-mmwide rim feels very strong and has held up well, even after crashing through rock gardens on a hardtail.

The DT Swiss ratchet freehub has a nice ring to it when coasting, but does not have the decibel level that will clear the trail ahead like some hubs. The rear wheel is fairly quick to engage. But for the price of the set, I was expect something a little quicker. Where the wheels really shine is weaving on technical trail. The 30-mm rim width offers plenty of stability. Pairing it with a 2.6" tire will give you loads of confidence to throw the bike around. The wheels really feel as if they want to roll over rocks and roots, which makes pedalling through rough sections a breeze.

After spending some time atop DT’S top all-mountain alloy offering, I could see why these wheels are the choice of some of the main riders in the Enduro World Series and World Cup downhill circuit. ($ 1,900; ogc.ca)

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