Just in: DT Swiss PRC 1400 Spline 65 wheels

DT Swiss has just sent us its updated PRC 1400 Spline 65 wheels for review and here’s a quick look before we take them out on the road.

These are 65mm deep carbon clinchers, although they’re available in a 35mm depth too. As you can see, we have the rim brake version although both depths are available for disc brakes too. 

We’ve had them on the road.cc Scales of Truth and they come in at 766g (front) and 914g (rear) without the skewers. That’s a total of 1,680g for the wheelset (DT Swiss claims 1,669g, so that’s pretty close). That wheelset weight is virtually the same as that of the previous version but DT Swiss has increased the inner rim width to 18mm while the outer width is 24.8mm.

DT Swiss says that the PRC 1400 rim shapes are based on NACA airfoil profiles with the intention of reducing drag, and that the wider shape leads to increased side stiffness. 

“By placing continuous fibres in the direction of the experienced wheel loads the stiffness could be raise without using more material and gaining weight,” says DT Swiss.

A new carbon resin compound is said to offer 20% more heat dissipation than the previous compound, the idea being to add safety of the rim brake models on long descents. 

The rims are tubeless compatible (although the tyres mounted here aren't).

DT Swiss has increased the distance between the flanges of the 240 rear hub – where the spokes attach – and upped the driveside spoke angle very slightly and reckons that it has managed to increase the sideways stiffness of the rear wheel by 15% (you’ve got to love the stats).

The rear hub features the 36-tooth DT Swiss Ratchet System (two 36-tooth star ratchets bite together when you pedal) which means you get engagement in 10° when you start pedalling after coasting.

The DT Aerolite spokes are straightpull (all Spline hubs have straightpull spokes; SP Line, geddit?).

The wheels are held in place by DT Swiss’s tried and tested RWS (Ratchet Wheel-mounting System) axles. You rotate the lever in order to tighten it, and then you can move the lever to rest in any position you like.

73mm tubeless valves and SwissStop Black Prince brake pads are included. 

The DT Swiss PRC 1400 Spline 65 wheels retail at £700 and £974.99 (subject to confirmation when everyone is back to work in the New Year!).

More at www.dtswiss.com