First Look | DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline carbon wheels

Over the past few weeks we’ve spotted the sexy, new XMC 1200 Spline carbon wheels on many of the coming season’s high-end bikes. But until now, both DT Swiss and the product and marketing managers from the various companies who are opting for these wheels, have kept their lips tightly sealed – fortunately, we’re now able to reveal all of the details on these new, lightweight system wheels.

Black Beauties – die neuen DT XMC 1200 Spline Laufräder begeistern durch ihren schlichten Look. — Black Beauties – the new DT XMC 1200 Spline wheels are a bit of a looker.

One wheel – multiple uses

Weighing 1,410 g (27.5″), the new DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline Laufräder aren’t just incredibly lightweight, but thanks to the Hookless carbon rims (no bead hook) and their 28 spokes, they’re also very stable. So it’s no surprise to see them take pride of place on tons of different bikes, intended for vastly different purposes. From lightweight XC whippets to potent trail bikes, the XMC 1200 Spline are the trendiest wheel around. The interior rim diameter of 24mm is a well-chosen figure, giving sufficient support without overly increasing the weight.

Bereits beim Bikefestivals in Riva waren die neuen Laufräder zu sehen. Für die kommende Saison verbauen viele Hersteller das neuste Produkt der Schweizer in ihren Highend-Bikes. — At the Riva Bikefestival the wheels were already on show. For the coming season many companies are selecting these wheels for their top of the range bikes.

The highlights in detail

A wheel classically consists of four parts: the hub, the spokes, the nipples and the rim. With the XMC 1200 Spline wheels, DT Swiss have united well-known technology concepts like the Straightpull spokes and the 36 tooth ratchet freehub with their brand new carbon rims and a revised hub casing. Naturally, the wheels come tubeless ready but can be used with a regular or XD freehub. They’re suitable for 12×142 mm and 12x148mm rears, 15x100mm and 15x110mm forks as well as RockShox RS1 models.

Alles was man für ein Laufrad braucht: Nabe, Speichen, Nippel und eine Felge. — Everything you need for a wheel: the hub, spokes, nipples and rims.

Die neue Spline Nabe ist nicht nur die leichteste jemals von DT Swiss gebaute Laufradnabe, sie sieht auch extrem schick aus. — The new Spline hub isn’t just DT Swiss’s lightest ever hub, it also looks super chic.

Bekannt und bewährt – die DT Swiss Pro Lock-Nippel. — Tried and tested – the DT Swiss Pro Lock nipple.

Bei der neuen Carbonfelge hat DT Swiss ganz bewusst auf das Felgenhorn verzichtet. Das spart Gewicht und macht sie noch stabiler und durschlagssicherer. — DT Swiss deliberately designed these new wheels without a bead hook, which reduces the weight and increases stability and resistance to hits.

Das passende Tubeless-Ventil ist im Lieferumfang bereits enthalten. — A tubeless valve comes with each delivery.

Quality made in Switzerland

Almost the entirety of the XMC 1200 Spline wheels is made at the DT Swiss headquarters in Biel/Switzerland. The carbon rims, produced by experts in Taiwan, are the only part that the Swiss have bestowed the responsibility for upon others. The parts are put together to create the final product in one of DT Swiss’s hallowed production halls. We took a glance behind the scenes a while ago, and wrote two articles on this renowned company. Part 1/Part 2.

Alle Laufräder werden von Hand eingespeicht ... — All the wheels are laced by hand …

... und im Anschluss äußerst penibel zentriert. — … and then they are painstakingly trued.

Die korrekte Speichenspannung ist essentiell für ein steifes und stabiles Laufrad. — Correct spoke tension is crucial for a stable wheel.

Mächtig stolz: Jedes Laufrad wird von einem Mitarbeiter gefertigt. — Justifiably proud: each wheel is made by one of the DT Swiss employees.

The facts at a glance

Weight: 1.410 g (27,5″)
Wheel sizes: 27,5″ und 29″
Rim material: Carbon
Axle system: 15×100, 15×110, 12×142, 12×148
Free hub: DT Swiss Ratchet System 36 Zahn
Brake mounts: Centerlock
Spokes: DT Aerolit / DT Aero comp
Nippels: DT Pro Lock Aluminium
Lacing: 3-fach gekreuzt
Max. weight limit: 110 kg
Additional Features: Tubeless ready, Tubeless valve and truing jig including
Price: 1.998 €
Availability: from September 2015

Our opinion

Aesthetically very attractive, the new DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline wheels did not disappoint on our initial tests, impressing us with their level of rigidity, direct handling and outstanding acceleration. The combination of the low weight and high level of stability has excelled, but it comes at a cost. Yet the price of 1,998€ for carbon wheels does seem justified – although it’s far from a bargain.

For more information head to: dtswiss.com

Words & Pictures: Christoph Bayer

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