FIRST LOOK: DT SWISS FR 1500 CLASSIC DH WHEELS

One problem downhill riders have always faced is the inevitable pinch flat; typically right on the bead of the tire which not only ruins that epic run you were on but also destroys that expensive tire. DT Swiss has come out with the FR 1500 Classic wheels intending on making them stronger and more ready for the challenges of the trail than the already incredibly tough FR 1950 wheels, and to fix that pesky pinch flat problem.



DT Swiss has adapted the profile design to more resemble the current EX rim profiles than the existing DH and freeride ones. The idea here is to increase impact resistance by adding material in specific areas thus increasing the overall strength of the profile. They say this new profile is ideal for riders who practice the disciplines of freeride and downhill.

With FR 1500 Classic wheels, DT Swiss has come up with a rim profile that they claim improves resistance to pinch flats by 17% over the FR 1950. In order to pull this off DT Swiss added a feature specifically designed to protect against said pinch flats. All they did was widen the upper part of the rim hook to increase surface area in the event of a big hit. This works like a de-sharpened knife working to cut through leather, it's just not as easy to get through.

Another goal they made was for the FR 1500 Classics to be lighter than the FR 1950s which they claim has been achieved in a couple of ways. The first is with the spoke count; the rear wheel has the classic 32 spokes you expect to see on a downhill wheel, but the front has taken a more trail bike turn and only has 28 spokes. They say this cuts down on rotational weight and enhances steering reactivity making it easier for riders to be more precise in line choice. DT Swiss is using their tried and true panted cold forged double-butted DT Competition spokes for these wheels.

Just like the FR 1950, the FR 1500 Classics are laced with DT 240 hubs with the Ratched EXP system. These bomb-proof hubs are easy to service and can even have the ratchet rings swapped out for more or less engagement points if desired.

These wheels are offered in a wide variety of spacing from standard DH to standard boost and even super boost. SRAM XD, Shimano Micro Spline, and Shimano HG freehub bodies are all available on certain setups, so make sure you know what you’re getting when you order your set. They come stock with the 36T Ratchet EXP System. They’re claimed to have a weight of 1928g with a max load weight of 140kg or 308lb. The price on these bad boys starts at $1153 and can fluctuate depending on the chosen spec.

Contact: www.dtswiss.com