DT Swiss AR 1600 Aero Wheels in Review
20.11.23 08:44 92023-11-20T08:44:00+01:00Text: Raphael Lorenzi (translated by AI)Photos: Erwin HaidenLong-term test of the Swiss aluminum aero wheels for price-conscious road cyclists and all-weather riders.20.11.23 08:44 2672023-11-20T08:44:00+01:00DT Swiss AR 1600 Aero Wheels in Review
20.11.23 08:44 2672023-11-20T08:44:00+01:00 Raphael Lorenzi (translated by AI) Erwin HaidenLong-term test of the Swiss aluminum aero wheels for price-conscious road cyclists and all-weather riders.20.11.23 08:44 2672023-11-20T08:44:00+01:00
The last three months, I had the pleasure of extensively testing the new DT-Swiss AR 1600 wheelset and was able to form a comprehensive opinion about its handling on familiar routes. DT-Swiss has brought a fantastic entry-level product for price-conscious aero enthusiasts to the market with this aluminum wheelset, which is rightly marketed under the slogan "Aero for the People".
DT Swiss: Aero for the people.
Two new aluminum rims, aero spokes, hidden nipples, and revised ratchets.
New for 2024 - AR 1600 SPLINE & A 1800 SPLINE
Both new racing bike wheels share the same aluminum hook rim with a rim width of 20 millimeters with the A 510 RIM, which is also available separately, optionally in 28" or 650b and in three different drillings (24, 28, 32 holes). Furthermore, aero spokes and internally hidden nipples significantly contribute to their outstanding aerodynamic properties.
In the AR 1600 SPLINE 30 we reviewed, a Ratchet SL freehub with 36 teeth works in the 350 straight pull hubs, while the A 1800 SPLINE 30 manages with a Ratchet LN freehub with 18 teeth in 370 straight pull hubs.
Primarily, the two wheel systems differ in their hubs and the freehub, although the spokes (DT aero comp II vs. DT aero comp) also show minor deviations from each other. The weight difference is negligible with a difference of 33 grams, but the price difference - depending on the wheel version - is between 100 and 200 euros.
However, the technical differences should not have a major impact on the top speed. In all three cases, the light aluminum profile of the rim ensures good aero performance and offers high stability when accelerating, while the rider fights against air resistance.
Appearance and Weight
The bulbous aero rims of the AR 1600 not only look fast – they also ride that way on flat terrain. However, as soon as the incline increases, the riding experience proportionally depends on the available fitness.
For me personally, the wheels continue to impress on inclines of up to 5-7%, especially if you bring a lot of momentum. The higher weight of about 1,750 g of the "bare" wheelset turned out to be moderately bothersome in use, mainly because at higher constant speeds, one can also benefit from the rotating mass. Especially ascent-oriented riders, however, should look into other product segments from DT-Swiss.
The dirt-resistant surface is positively noticeable in daily use, and the installed Aero Comp II Straightpull spokes integrate well into the overall appearance. The rim profile and the hub bodies have been consistently revised, and for this relaunch, as usual with DT Swiss, a lot of money has been invested in research work. The exact details are described in more detail in the introduction report.
DT Swiss AR 1600 SPLINE 30 Review Wheelset
Several weeks before the official product launch, Bikeboard.at received a set of AR 1600 SPLINE 30 wheels for review. We immediately photographed them, weighed them, mounted easy-rolling TLR tires, filled them with sealant, rode them, and battered them over the cobblestone streets of the world and of Kahlenberg.
AR 1600 SPLINE 30
| Hub Width | Front 12x100 mm Thru Axle Rear 12x142 mm Thru Axle |
| Hub | 350 Straightpull |
| Brake System | Disc, CL |
| Freehub Body | Shimano Road, SRAM XDR |
| Freewheel System | 36T Ratchet SL |
| Rim Dimension | 584 x 20 mm 622 x 20 mm |
| Rim Height | 30 mm |
| Inner Width | 20 mm |
| Type of Rim | A 510, Aluminum, Sleeved Rim Joint, with Hooks, TLR |
| Rim Hole | Presta |
| Spokes & Nipples | DT aero comp® || straightpull, black DT aero comp® || straightpull, black DT ProLock hidden aluminum 24 x 2-cross |
| Max. System Weight: | 110 kg |
| ASTM Class | 1 |
| Incl. Accessories | DT Swiss TLR Rim Tape (mounted), DT Swiss Tubeless Valves |
| Weight | 1.743 g |
| Price | from € 599,- RRP |
* Weight specifications without rim tape and without valves
Review in the Review: Limar Air Atlas + Bollé C-Shifter
Throughout the hot summer months, the Limar Air Atlas Aero Helmet proved to be impressive. The numerous air intakes always ensure a cool head and the aerodynamics of the helmet is especially noticeable at higher speeds. The ability to adjust well to the shape of the head and the magnetic Fidlock closure increase the ease of use.
Furthermore, the combination with the Bollé C-Shifter Glasses from the French market leader for sports glasses turned out to be a true success story. Its striking design sets it apart from products of other manufacturers. The semi-rimless frame of the Volt lenses ensures effective ventilation, in practice, the glasses offer high-contrast vision on sunny days. Especially the photochromic variants additionally extend their range of application. The glasses are available in seven different colors - the version in "Creator Green" is shown in the pictures.
Practical Experience
The DT-Swiss AR 1600 rim set with 30 mm rim height is being tested on a KTM Alto Exonic frame, which represents my first experience with disc brakes on a road bike. Due to my longer history on the mountain bike, the transition was not too challenging, because ultimately a brake remains a brake, and I was able to get used to the handling quickly.
When choosing tires, after some research, I identified Continental as a favorite, although some forum posts indicated a possibly difficult installation. My own attempt followed shortly thereafter with the lightweight Continental GP 5000 Tubeless S in 25 mm width; to my pleasant surprise, they were quite easy to mount.
DT-Swiss delivers the rims already equipped with pre-mounted TLR rim tape, which made the tubeless conversion quick and easy. After the tires held the pressure overnight without sealant, the next day I added DT Swiss Tubeless Milk and installed the rim set on the bike.
For everyday use, I opted for about 6.5 bar tire pressure, which worked quite well for my body weight of 80 kg. The bike rode quite similarly to my other setup, where I use carbon clincher rims with 25 mm tire width.
The largely tool-free maintenance makes the wheelset ideal for many training kilometers. Thanks to the installed improved hub models 350 with the 36T Ratchet SL System, maintenance intervals are not too frequent.
The number of ratchets has been increased for the new hub generation from 18T to 36T. In the past, 350 DT-Swiss hubs on my MTB wheels have proven to be extremely reliable and have always served me faithfully.
Pedaling
The wheelset feels harmonious in combination with my KTM frame and conveys both a dynamic and safe feeling while riding. On flat terrain, the set is not very susceptible to wind, even in gusty crosswinds it maintains good directional stability, and it accelerates quickly when pedaling harder.
Therefore, I can confidently confirm the optimized aerodynamics, which were also tested in the wind tunnel by DT Swiss, and I would like to particularly highlight the reliability of the wheels.
The lateral stiffness of the aluminum rims is more than sufficient even for heavier riders like me, and yet, in combination with the tubeless setup, a certain riding comfort was not neglected. The improved power transmission thanks to the 36T Ratchet System proved to be useful in practice especially in town sign sprints - higher speeds can be reached more quickly with short bursts.
So far, I have not experienced any breakdowns; only a few meters ridden over a sea of glass shards left permanent cuts in the tire tread, but did not lead to any sealant leakage. The coming months under harsher conditions will put more strain on the wheels - I will be able to report more about it in the spring.
The integrated valve tool in the valve cap is a nice idea. However, the choice of plastic as the material means that after a few uses, it is already so worn that it is no longer functional.
Conclusion
| DT Swiss AR 1600 | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 2024 |
| Review Duration: | 3 Months / 2,500 km |
| Price: | from € 599,- RRP |
| + | Appearance |
| + | Simple Tubeless Setup |
| + | Riding Dynamics |
| + | Quality |
| o | Internal Nipples |
| o | Weight |
| - | Plastic Valve Tool |
| BB-Verdict: | High-quality aero wheels with an attractive appearance and easy handling. |
The consistently high-quality workmanship is a hallmark of DT-Swiss, which has been convincing for years. The AR 1600 wheelset adds another chapter to this success story.
The AR1600 wheelset appeals to both price-conscious road cyclists and all-weather riders looking for a reliable companion for many shared training kilometers. The range of application is quite versatile, and the riding characteristics have consistently impressed me.
Of course, the total weight of just under 2 kg for a ready-to-ride set is not outstanding, but the other product details were convincing. In practice, the rim surface has proven to be particularly dirt-repellent and the silver DT-Swiss decals integrate well into the overall appearance.
