DT Swiss Unveils Affordable DF Hub Kits and Revamped 1700 Rim Lineup to Tackle Pedal Kickback
DT Swiss has expanded its mountain bike component range with the introduction of two new rear hub kits built around its established Degrees of Freedom (DF) technology, alongside a complete refresh of its 1700 series rims.
The Swiss brand’s latest offerings aim to make pedal kickback reduction more accessible to a broader range of riders. Pedal kickback occurs when chain tension interferes with rear suspension movement, causing the suspension to stiffen or resist compression during impacts.
The two new hub kits are the DEG DF Race, which delivers up to 40 degrees of float in the rear hub’s engagement mechanism, and the Ratchet DF, designed to work with the more affordable Ratchet and Ratchet LN hub platforms.
In addition, DT Swiss has overhauled its 1700 rim range, which now spans three distinct models targeting different riding disciplines. All three rims now feature an asymmetric profile and come with a more defined bead seat and rim horn compared to earlier iterations.
DEG DF Race Kit
DT Swiss first introduced its DEG DF (Degrees of Freedom) kit approximately a year ago. This system modifies the ratchet mechanism found in existing DEG freehubs to introduce a certain amount of free rotation, specifically to minimize pedal kickback.
DEG hubs represent DT Swiss’s premium, heavy-duty option, featuring a larger ratchet surface area and 90 points of engagement through a ratchet ring system rather than traditional pawls.
The original DEG DF kit allowed riders to choose between 0, 10, or 20 degrees of free movement through internal adjustments, giving them control over how much slack exists before the freehub engages when pedaling.
According to DT Swiss, the DEG DF Race kit serves as an upgrade package for hubs already equipped with the standard DEG DF kit. This new kit contains only the threaded rings, omitting ratchet rings and springs, and provides expanded free play options of 0, 10, 30, or 40 degrees.
Ratchet DF Kit
For the first time, DT Swiss’s Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs now have access to their own Degrees of Freedom kit. Since these hubs cost less than their DEG counterparts, this development brings pedal kickback reduction within reach of a wider audience.
The Ratchet DF kit provides 14 degrees of float within the freehub. This sits between the 20 degrees offered by the DEG DF kit and the 40 degrees available with the DEG DF Race, which is reserved for the more expensive DEG hub range.
Unlike the Race variant, the Ratchet DF kit comes complete with threaded rings, springs, and ratchet rings, providing everything required for the conversion. It maintains backwards compatibility with existing Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs.
Updated 1700 Rim Series
DT Swiss has redesigned its 1700 range of rims, making all models asymmetric. According to the brand, this change allows wheels to be built with more uniform spoke tension, resulting in a stronger overall wheel. The company states that the 1700 series rims continue to use a premium aluminum alloy construction with a welded rim joint.
Every rim in the updated 1700 lineup incorporates what DT Swiss calls an “anti tyre-rim damage design.” This involves a wider rim horn that decreases the likelihood of tire damage during impacts.
When riders encounter significant hits, DT Swiss claims this design encourages controlled denting behavior, which helps prevent air loss in tubeless setups. This has long been a priority for the brand, helping athletes finish race stages with inflated tires even when their rims have sustained damage.
The third update involves the tire contact surface, which now has a more pronounced hump. DT Swiss says this improves tubeless sealing, provides better lateral support for the tire, and minimizes pressure loss in the event of a burp.
The XR 421, XM 431, and EX 441 comprise the new rim offerings. DT Swiss organizes its rim lines by intended use: XR for cross-country, XM for trail riding, and EX for downhill and enduro applications.
