DT Swiss GRC 50, GRC 30 & HGC 30 Gravel Wheelsets

When I received my first DT Swiss GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 wheels for testing in Switzerland in 2019, I could never have dreamed how much they would shape my then still young "gravel career". Back from the hardcore stages through the Swiss Jura in the nastiest weather, I immediately requested a set of wheels for a long-term test. These would prove themselves over two years on my OPEN WI.DE. GRX 1x11 Di2, another two years on the Scott Addict Gravel GRX 2x11 Di2, on numerous test bikes and recently even on my latest offspring, a Merida Silex GRX 1x12.

About a year after the first story, I was asked if I knew when I could return the wheels. I did not know. Instead, I rode them with Tubolitos, Aerothans, Sealant, Schwalbes, Michelins, Pirellis, Challengers, and Vredesteins, with HG or Microspline freehubs. I had impacts, punctures and even once a branch in the front wheel along with a major flip. The result? They still roll perfectly and to this day I can't think of a single good reason to voluntarily send them back... if it weren't for the Swiss having recently presented their brand new DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT or 1400 DICUT in two rim heights.

Under the motto "Off the road, are you on the hunt or off the hook?" DT Swiss fans now have a choice of three new gravel wheelsets in different equipment variants and wheel sizes.

Gravel Racers ("On the hunt") will choose the GRC DICUT 50 wheelset, which with its 50 mm high carbon rims, thanks to AERO+ optimization, is supposed to be among the fastest of its kind worldwide (see the Aerodynamics section below). In addition, the sleek rim shape significantly reduces steering influences even with 40 mm wide tires and offers a solid tire fit with an internal rim width of 24 mm for full control.

Adventurers ("Off the hook") will opt for the GRC DICUT 30 wheels, which with the reduced weight of the 30 mm high carbon rims provide an agile, comfortable ride and guarantee perfect traction off-road even at lower tire pressures. Moreover, their even wider manufactured flanges increase both puncture protection and durability.

Last but not least, for all E-Gravel bikers, the Swiss have developed the HGC 1400 SPLINE wheelset, which is based on the new 30 mm high gravel rim and is ideally suited for the requirements of hybrid bikes and the higher system weight with specifically reinforced components.

All three newcomers share a new, patent-pending carbon manufacturing concept, user-friendly hook rims for increased safety, consistently high-quality system components, and a sophisticated finish.

Both the 180 and 240 hubs impress with their DT Swiss Ratchet EXP Technology, which makes the freewheel body particularly light, stiff, and precise, and allows for easy, tool-free maintenance. Moreover, the hollow-milled tooth discs immediately convert the invested energy into acceleration with their 36 teeth.

For all three gravel wheels with a 24 mm internal width, a tire recommendation of 29 mm to 45 mm width applies, while the GRC 50 with its external width of 36.5 mm should perform best aerodynamically with 40 mm wide tires.

GRC 50/30 1100 vs 1400 DICUT

* Weight specifications without rim tape and without valves

Although weight is not the sole decisive factor in gravel riding, one is still pleased about every additional gram saved, as it positively influences agility and steering comfort.

In our research, we came across the following comparison of all current DT Swiss gravel wheels, which we naturally do not want to withhold from you.

DT Swiss Gravel Portfolio

* Compared to the old GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 (1.602 g)

And indeed - the direct comparison of our ready-to-ride GRC 42 predecessors (Tubolito tubes) with the new GRC 30 test wheels (TLR incl. Sealant) resulted in a real weight advantage of 233 grams.

When I received the GRC 30 wheels, they were already equipped with Schwalbe G-One R in 40C and filled with DT Swiss "Low Pressure" Sealant. These were the same wheels, hand-built in Biel, that I had the pleasure to ride during the presentation in Switzerland. Into the bike, photos in the studio, and off to the first ride with NoSane.

No joke - the direct switch from my old GRC 1400 42 with G-One R/RS in 45C to the new, lower wheels with the G-One R front and back (!) in 40C blew me away so much that I was at a loss for words. These things rushed over asphalt and gravel so much that I initially suspected NoSane of secretly pushing me. But even then, when he rode in front of me, the thrust just didn't stop. Tailwind maybe? Could be, but even with a slight headwind, they took off like Schmidt's cat. I was flabbergasted.

Even after five longer rides, I still have no conclusive explanation for it. It's probably due to the combination of the 5mm narrower tires with the sealant instead of tubes, the slightly higher pressure of 0.25 bar, improved aerodynamics, and the 233 grams lower total weight. Maybe someone secretly installed ceramic ball bearings into the 180 hubs and the EXP freehub. I don't know and I don't really care. I just ride and enjoy.

Moreover, I can't notice any loss of comfort despite the 40C tires instead of the 45C tires. Probably, the obvious deterioration (narrower contact area, less volume, ridden with more pressure) is compensated by the higher vertical flex of the lower rims and the longer spokes.

Overall, apart from the somewhat "slower" look compared to the 50s, I am more than satisfied with the GRC 1100 DICUT 30 and feel even slightly faster in my terrain, as they run smoother and more precise off-road than the higher model variant.