Third generation DT Swiss ARC wheelsets are wider, lighter and more aero

Cyclist
Third generation DT Swiss ARC wheelsets are wider, lighter and more aero

DT Swiss has launched a third generation of its ARC wheelsets. The seven product range features new wheel profiles that are more V-shaped than their predecessors and a new 55mm wheel depth in place of the previous 50mm depth. 

The 55mm, 65mm and 85mm depth rims are available in the ARC 1100 Dicut wheelset series on 180 hubs, all priced at £2,499.98, and the ARC 1400 Dicut wheelset series on 240 hubs, priced at £1,999.98. 

There’s also an ARC 1100 Dicut disc rear wheel for time-trials that looks to be carried over from the previous range and is priced at £2,299.99.

Wider, more V-shaped rim profiles

The new rim profiles are designed for ever-widening road bike tyres, so they offer wider 22mm internal widths, increased from 20mm for their predecessors. They have a more V-shaped profile than before, which DT Swiss says doesn’t compromise aerodynamics while providing a lower wheel weight. They’re tuned for the Continental Aero 111 front tyre in 29mm width, although DT says that the 85mm depth wheel is faster with a 26mm Aero 111 tyre. 

DT Swiss says that it has compensated for making the rim wider, and so increasing its frontal area and wind resistance, with its new V-shaped profile. It says the shape also lowers the steering moment on the front wheel. 

The original crop of deeper section aero wheelsets had a V-shaped profile, but wheel brands moved away from this to a more U-shaped rim, which was claimed to increase stability, so DT’s reversion to a more pointy shape is a return to a profile more reminiscent of wheels from around ten years ago.

DT bills the 55mm profile as an all-rounder and the 65mm depth as good for sprints and flat roads, while the 85mm depth is aimed at time trials and triathlons.

It claims its spokes are aero optimised and it’s dropped to 20 in the front wheel. The shallowest rim depth has increased from 50mm in the previous generation wheels to 55mm too. DT says that the fewer, shorter spokes reduce drag by 0.2 watts in a headwind and 0.5 watts at 10-degree yaw angle at 45km/h. There’s also a weight reduction from the lowered spoke count, although that’s counterbalanced by the deeper rim, so there’s a net 6g weight gain.

In combination with the Continental Aero 111 tyre, DT claims the new wheels offer a greater sailing effect and a steering moment that increases linearly, making for more predictable handling, an effect it highlighted when the Aero 111 tyres were launched in July 2024.

Its wind tunnel results suggest that the wheels and tyres achieve maximum sailing effect at wind yaw angles of 16° to 18°, so that the rider needs less power output to maintain speed. The sailing effect is even more pronounced with 26mm Aero 111 tyres on the 85mm rim depth, measured at up to 17.3 watts at high yaw angles.

DT Swiss has tested the new wheels against the competition and claims the lowest drag figures for its ARC 55 wheels when tested alongside the Hunt 60 Limitless, Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 60 and Zipp 454 NSW wheels.  

The result for the ARC 65 wheels is more mid-field versus similar depth competitors, although DT says that the steering moment is lower, making for easier handling in crosswinds.

For the 85mm depth, DT Swiss claims the best combination of low drag and steering moment.

Weight reduction for most wheelsets

DT Swiss has published a table of wheelset weights comparing its new wheels to its previous generation wheels, with the 85mm and 65mm profiles showing a weight reduction, while there’s a small weight increase for the 55mm deep wheels versus their 50mm deep predecessors thanks to the deeper rim.

The ARC 1100 and ARC 1400 wheelsets differ in the hubs used; while the 1100 series wheels are built on DT’s top spec 279g 180 hubs, the 1400 series wheels use the brand’s 305g 240 hubs, both with a 36 tooth Ratchet EXP freehub. 

The 1100 series wheels use DT Aerolite spokes, while the 1400 wheels have DT Aero Comp II spokes.

All wheels come with a Shimano HG11 freehub fitted, with a Sram XDR freehub, tubeless tape, tubeless valve, valve guard and wheel bag included. There’s a stealth all-black edition available for the ARC 1100 Dicut wheel-tyre system in 55mm depth.

Price for all depths of the ARC 1100 Dicut wheelsets is £2,499.98 / $3,144.80 / €2,699.80, with a £100 uplift for the wheel-tyre system with Conti Aero 111 front and GP5000 S TR rear tyres. 

The ARC 1100 Dicut disc rear wheel is priced at £2,299.99 / $2,795.90 / €2,399.90.

The ARC 1400 Dicut wheelsets are priced at £1,999.98 / $2,504.80 / €2,148.80.

If you find the real thing a little pricey, you can buy the ARC 1100 Dicut 85 and ARC Disc wheel combination virtually in the Zwift Drop Shop, where DT says they’re the fastest wheelset on offer. Alternatively, the Drop Shop has the new ARC 1100 Dicut 65 wheels available.

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