“With no stone left unturned in your final preparations for the ride of a lifetime, you want to have the best setup out there. The DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT has you covered whether you want to hunt for the win in a fast- paced gravel race with the 50 mm high rim or unhook yourself from your limitations on an extreme off-road adventure with the 30 mm high rim.” – DT Swiss Website
“Our new Gravel wheels are made using a state-of-the-art manufacturing process. The result? Lightweight carbon rims straight out of the mold, without the need for a finishing coat. They are sure to catch the eye, while also saving you precious grams on top of their tailored aero- optimization. The two new rims are assembled with our finest components, the lightweight 180 DICUT hub with ceramic bearings and DT Aerolite || spokes, providing fast acceleration and low rolling resistance. Now, it’s not up to us whether you will win races, but we have made sure that your wheelset will keep spinning and turning heads along the way.”
DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 30mm Review Video
Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew provides his long-term review of the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 30mm wheelset.
DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 30mm Written Riding Experience (or see video)
These are the Ultimate Off-Road wheels according to DT Swiss. Mentioned above in the marketing blurb from DT Swiss, there are two depths available, 50mm, the racier variant, and the shallower 30mm version, the variant I am reviewing. I truly feel 30mm is a better rim depth for all round gravelly road cycling. I’m no aero expert, but the lightbulb affect of the big casing tyre atop the rim kills aerodynamics in my mind, so adding more rim depth doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Certainly, there may be exceptions to that rule, but the Gravel Cyclist wind tunnel hasn’t been constructed yet!
Due to the shallower 30mm rim depth, I wasn’t buffeted about the place with sidewinds, which adds further credence to this rim profile. I much prefer the lighter weight of this wheelset, the wheels respond quickly to any adjustment of speed when I’m in the saddle, or trying to windup the wheelset out of the saddle. I’ll take lighter over placebo aero any day, for a wheelset of this nature.
The 30mm hooked rims are a winner. Whilst I’ve had no problems with hookless technology and lower tyre pressure, hookless just doesn’t sit well in the minds of a lot of riders. Chapeau to DT Swiss here, because hooked rims are certainly more expensive and complex to manufacture. The rims themselves are beautiful, the definition of low key aesthetics and a look that will compliment any bike.
At this price point, just shy of $US 3,000, you need unquestionable reliability and an amazing warranty. DT has that covered, the lifetime warranty only applies to the first owner of this wheelset. I’ve been rolling these wheels for six months, and they’ve stood the test of time no matter what terrain I’ve traversed, and are still as round and true as the first day I unboxed them.
The combination of DT Aerolite II T-head spokes on the front wheel, and a split pairing of DT Aerolite II T-Head / DT Aero Comp II T-Head spokes are stiff, and guarantee you’ll barely be able to knock these wheels about laterally even if you’re pushing the serious wattage, but they’re not to the point of being so stiff as to rattle loose every sit bone. The negative, straight pull aero spokes aren’t available at every bike shop, I therefore recommend you keep a couple of spares on hand. DT should supply some spares with the wheelset, and obviously, replacing an internal nipple spoke is a less than charming endeavor.
However, because this wheelset is so well built, and the materials are so premium, I don’t expect you’ll encounter any such issues. Don’t forget with everything gravel, you have to dial your tyre pressure accordingly to ensure optimal ride quality. My handy recommended tyre pressure chart is linked here.
My experience with DT hubs has always been excellent, absolutely love the 240 model, and the top-tier 180 models with their ceramic bearings are no exception. They spin forever, and the high quality of this bearing is a nice match for gnarly conditions, where longevity and reliability is paramount. Just about every manufacturer is about more points of engagement, but at some point, I think it’s overkill, and adds unnecessary drag. DT has their engagement dialed in at 36 points, enough for guiding your bike slowly through a patch of chunky gravel or singletrack. However, if you need more points of engagement, DT has 56 tooth and 90 tooth ratchet options.
The DT Swiss GRC 1100 Dicut wheelset certainly isn’t the lightest offering, but in a crowded space for a wheelset near $US 3,000, they are in good company, even if a little heavier than some other options. Still, $US 3000 is a lot of coin, but you need to consider the Lifetime warranty for the original owner and crash replacement policy, and the supreme quality of this wheelset.
This wheelset certainly isn’t the raciest and those types of riders may steer themselves towards the 50mm depth version of this wheelset. For me, this wheelset is the most versatile of DT’s entire range, and the clear winner if I was buying this wheelset for myself.
Additional Photos
Learn more at the DT Swiss Website
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Links of Interest:
- DT Swiss Website
- Panaracer Gravelking X1 & X1R Review
- North Florida Freeride Gravel Series
- How to Create Amazing & Fun Gravel Routes!
- Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library
- Gravel Bike Tire / Tyre Pressure Recommendations
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