DT Swiss has been progressing their rim product line steadily. At present, DT Swiss offers some of the best welded MTB rims in the market place, if you were to take into account rim weight, strength, durability, easy of use, (tubeless tire setup), precision rim finish, performance, and aesthetics. Don't believe us, maybe you'll believe Terry Bradshaw. The DT XM401 rim specifically, is an exceptional XC/XM rim. If you're into racing (Doh! not that kind of racing), training, or you simply prefer to buy really nice gear, this is your starting and finishing point. That's pretty straight forward. Given the XM401's strength for MTB, and perfect 22.5mm tubeless ready inner width, this wheel set should be at the top of your "dream upgrade gravel wheel set list".
Ready for a radical miracle? Just a walk in the park Cougar.
You have the choice to build these wheels with Speed Tuned Super 6 2.0 MTB hubs, or go all out with DT Swiss 350 disc hubs featuring the DT Swiss Star Ratchet engagement mechanism. Both are great options. The Speed Tuned Super 6 2.0 hubs feature 36 points of engagement, (10 degrees) via a 4x2 pawl free hub. The drive ring and pawls are overbuilt in terms of diameter, (drive ring), height, (drive ring + pawls), and materials, (quality stainless). Their bearing placement is proper, in terms of overall design meant to promote hub function and durability.
DT Swiss 350 hubs are excellent, they are finished to incredible standards, and include DT Swiss' Star Ratchet engagement system, (same exact drive mechanism as with their DT 240's and 180's). These hubs get the job done, hold up extremely well in an assortment of conditions, and have proven reliable even in the emerging context of high torque drive trains, (29er wheel bikes with 1x12 Eagle drive trains). Essentially, DT 350's offer you the option of buying one of the best performing hubs available anywhere, for only a modest price bump. Given their huge value proposition, they are hands down a great option for any MTB rider that cares about their gear.
In "stock" form, these wheels are built with DT Swiss Competition Double Butted 2.0/1.8/2.0 black spokes in a 28 hole (650b), or 32 hole (29er), three cross configuration front and rear. DT Comp spokes offer legendary quality and performance. If you didn't know a thing about spokes, know that your wheels would come with a really top notch spoke product. That being said, we're offering a spoke upgrade option, in the form of Sapim DLight 2.0/1.65/2.0 spokes. There are two great spoke manufacturers in the world, DT Swiss and Sapim, (in alphabetical order). Essentially, you might be able to find a spoke product that approaches their quality, but you'd be hard pressed to find a company that makes a better spoke product than these two. All their spoke products, from straight gauge to their elliptically bladed and butted products, are all the best of the best. Sapim Dlight spokes will perform at the same relative level as DT Competition spokes, but will shave off approximately 75 - 80g from the wheel set.
The DT Swiss XM401 is a stellar wheel set option, in a field that's composed of some of the best aluminum alloy MTB rims ever. Given their level of performance, they are an unbeatable deal, (coupon codes here). We're not joking around here. If you don't have a lot of time to research all the rim options in the marketplace, if you don't have a lot of money, and if you can find this product page, maybe that's Magic.
Should you buy this wheel set? Entirely your call. Should you watch this short but sweet rock climbing video? Absolutely. One More Fun One.
Wheel Facts:
-Comes with tubeless tape & valves installed.
-The DT Swiss XM401 (welded joint), has a 22.5mm inner width, is 19.5mm tall, 27mm wide, and weighs about 424g, (650b) or 452g (29er)
-Recommended for use with 27.5" / 650b x 35 - 50mm tires, or 700c x 35 - 50mm tires
-These wheels are built with internal stainless steel washers.
-27.5" / 650b (28 hole) Wheel set weight with Super 6 2.0 15/142 hubs and alloy nipples is approximately 1690g (Comp) or 1610g (Dlight); with DT 350 hubs wheel set weight is approximately 1715g (Comp) or 1635g (Dlight).
-700c / 29er (32 hole) Wheel set weight with Super 6 2.0 15/142 hubs and alloy nipples is approximately 1800g (Comp) or 1725g (Dlight); with DT 350 hubs wheel set weight is approximately 1825g (Comp) or 1750g (Dlight). Wheel set weight will vary with end caps, freehub driver, and nipple selection. Tape + Valves adds approximately 35g for the wheel set, on average.