The most important facts in brief

The newly designed carbon rims are not only asymmetrical, but different versions are even spoked for the front (lighter) and rear (more robust) wheels. Revised 180 mm hubs are used as well as the Revolite spokes launched in April 2024.

First impression

Optically, the XMC wheelset is an eye-catcher and looks very classy with its subtle chrome graphics. The finish is flawless. If you spin the wheels in your hand, they run almost forever thanks to the high-quality ceramic bearings. During the tubeless setup, the rear tire was tight at the first attempt, while the front wheel required several attempts. The rim tape was probably not laid perfectly, allowing the air to escape from one of the nipples. The tire was always tight against the rim and no sealant ever escaped. There was no further air loss during the test rides.

In use

The almost resistance-free hubs are noticeable as soon as you start pedaling, as is the new tight gearing of the Ratchet-DEG freehub body. This engages immediately, which ensures good propulsion. The loud whirring of the freewheel replaces the bicycle bell. To determine the true capabilities of the XMC wheelset, it was compared in a back-to-back test with an aluminum wheelset, another made of carbon and an aluminum wheelset with Pi-Rope textile spokes. All with identical tires and identical air pressure.

The vertical flex is pleasing, it is significantly stronger than other carbon variants and this without sacrificing lateral stiffness. There is no twisting on hard surfaces, nor do the wheels slip when the bike is cornered hard. Only on rough trails with loose rocks does the front wheel jump slightly when the steering is hard. However, it holds its line better than other stiff bikes. No annoying vibrations are transmitted on asphalt or when riding with chunky tires.

If the front wheel has to be jerked around, the rim does not lock up. When punctures occurred due to low air pressure, neither the usual "clunk" sounded nor were there any notches in the rim.

Conclusion

The XMC 1200 scored with a modicum of comfort and excellent acceleration values and top rolling characteristics. Thanks to the latter, root fields are mastered with a lot of momentum, and the bike buddies are often left behind. Light riders can cope well with the lateral stiffness, while those with more weight don't have to worry about too much flex. There was no cause for criticism on the first few rides. The coming months will show how the bikes hold up in the long run.

Price: CHF 2499.00 / EUR 2499.00

Manufacturer

www.dtswiss.com