The Lab: DT Swiss EX 1700 SPLINE wheelset in review – We tested the aluminium wheelset for over a year

Does it always have to be carbon? Enduro racers often choose aluminium rims for their wheelset. Because comfort and reliability have top priority. Can the DT Swiss EX 1700 SPLINE wheelset still tick both of those boxes after 18 months of racing?

The DT Swiss EX 1700 SPLINE wheelset is the flagship aluminium model of the Swiss rim, spoke and hub specialists. The “E” in EX 1700 stands for enduro and marks the intended use of the € 750 model, designed for the world’s toughest trails. Can DT Swiss deliver on this promise? Our test boss Felix put the wheels to the test on his Cannondale Jekyll race bike and some eMTBs for almost 1.5 years. One thing is sure, with a weight of 95 kg and a no-holds-barred riding style, the aluminium rims didn’t have it easy.

The wheelset is based on the current DT 350 hubs with the proven ratchet freehub technology. You can change the freehub body (SRAM XD, Shimano MICRO SPLINE, Shimano ASL) without tools and in a few simple steps. DT Swiss also offer the choice between CENTER LOCK and 6-Bolt for the brake rotor interface. Felix deliberately opted for the slightly heavier 6-bolt version so that he could use his multitool on the brake rotors in the event of problems on the trail. As the name SPLINE suggests, the wheels are built with DT competition straightpull spokes, which are claimed to be more robust without the classic J-bend on the spoke head. However, you must clamp the spokes when tightening the nipples and trueing the wheels as the spokes twist otherwise. The highlight of the wheelset is the aluminium EX 511 rims with an inner width of 30 mm. They come with tubeless rim tape already fitted and valves are also included in the scope of delivery of the EX 1700, which is offered as either a 29″ or a 27.5″ version.

The wheelset is based on the current DT 350 hubs with the proven ratchet freehub technology. You can change the freehub body (SRAM XD, Shimano MICRO SPLINE, Shimano ASL) without tools and in a few simple steps. DT Swiss also offer the choice between CENTER LOCK and 6-Bolt for the brake rotor interface. Felix deliberately opted for the slightly heavier 6-bolt version so that he could use his multitool on the brake rotors in the event of problems on the trail. As the name SPLINE suggests, the wheels are built with DT competition straightpull spokes, which are claimed to be more robust without the classic J-bend on the spoke head. However, you must clamp the spokes when tightening the nipples and trueing the wheels as the spokes twist otherwise. The highlight of the wheelset is the aluminium EX 511 rims with an inner width of 30 mm. They come with tubeless rim tape already fitted and valves are also included in the scope of delivery of the EX 1700, which is offered as either a 29″ or a 27.5″ version.

Punctured and damaged tires are an absolute no-go for Felix. So, he only used downhill tires or tires with a super robust enduro casing (Schwalbe Super Gravity, MAXXIS Doubledown) in combination with inserts such as CushCore for the EX 1700. The tires have very tight tolerances. You must be careful when you fit them and use the right technique so that the tire bead gets pressed into the rim all the way around. That way you can easily inflate them with a tubeless setup using a standard floor pump. Cool!

The first few weeks on the trail revealed the high-quality workmanship and competence that DT Swiss put into wheel building. Even after extended bike park use, the EX 1700 still ran perfectly true and none of the spokes needed to be re-tensioned. They remained centred even after several cuttie challenges.
All the while, the wheelset also hits the sweet spot of compliance, passing minimal vibrations on to your hands and not getting unsettled by lateral impacts. Nevertheless, the wheels offer enough precision at high speed to allow you to stay on your chosen line. You can really slam them into berms, but instead of flicking back in an uncontrolled manner or sliding out, they return the energy you put in, in a controlled manner and thus help you to tighten the radius of the corner.

At several EWS races, the EX 1700 had to prove that they could handle the nastiest rock gardens even with the tires at the lowest pressures possible because swapping the wheels during a race is pretty much impossible. The super robust EX 511 rims complained audibly about the rocks slamming into them, but they never sprang a leak despite numerous dents. After 10 months, the EX 1700 had to be put on the truing stand for the first time, although they still ran very smoothly. The following season they were put to the test on Felix’s Cannondale Jekyll race bike. However, Cannondale uses the Ai offset on the rear wheel where the rim is offset 3 mm to the right. Although offsetting the rim isn’t ideal, the EX 1700 put up with stints in Finale Ligure, Les Orres and Co. without complaint even so. Only the number of dents in the rear rim increased steadily. The rear wheel had to undergo its greatest test of endurance in a race where one of the spokes broke. With just 27 spokes left at the rear, the EX 1700 were able to roll over the finish line despite a considerable wobble. Respect! After 18 months, the front wheel and hubs are still in tip-top condition. However, it’s time for a new EX 511 rim at the rear: the old one’s retirement is well-deserved.

The EX 1700 SPLINE is rightly DT Swiss’ flagship aluminium wheelset for enduro use. They put up with 18-months of the toughest racing conditions without complaint. A certain amount of wear and tear is to be expected, especially on the rear rim. The quality of the EX 1700 SPLINE isn’t just extremely high in terms of its components, but above all in the wheel build itself, which justifies the € 750 price tag.

Tops

• robust and reliable
• strong performance on the trail
• Tubeless tape and valves included

Flops

• none

Tester Felix
Test duration 18 months
Price € 750
Weight 2014 g (29″, incl. tape and valve)
More info Manufacturer’s website