Hybrid MTB Light Support

built to advance

The latest generation of light eMTBs aims for an advanced riding feel and therefore combines the agility of a MTB with the support of the classic eMTB. Smaller motors make for a light system weight. To ensure the best possible performance, DT Swiss had a close look at the new light eMTB requirements and realized that the loads and torques still exceed the MTB ones, although the system weight remains almost the same. The admission of a lower system weight opens up new possibilities for DT Swiss wheel engineers to combine the durability of our Hybrid MTB wheels with the well-known light weight of DT Swiss products. The Hybrid MTB LS wheels are Built to Advance, featuring upgraded components specifically developed for motors with a lower average torque output, without compromising the weight and therefore the agility a lighter wheelset provides while riding.

development challenges

DT Swiss' mission to provide riders with wheels adapted to their practice has not changed. The needs and the bikes have changed, which requires updated components, in order to be in harmony with the new constraints. The new, lighter eMTBs are close to the weight of the classic MTBs, while being equipped with motors, and therefore cause higher torques and loads. This new, more versatile category therefore requires more versatile components as well. The compromise in the development of these wheels was to be able to offer ambitious riders wheels that are light enough for agile and sharp handling, yet strong enough for the toughest trails. The Hybrid MTB LS wheels were developed and tested to certify a maximum system weight of 130 kg at ASTM category 4, built with lighter rims, spokes with lightly reinforced 2.15 mm heads and specific Hybrid LS adapted hubs.

carbon rims
hxc 1501 spline one ls

The ultimate model of the Hybrid MTB LS range is equipped with carbon rims with an internal width of 30 mm. These wheels provide outstanding agility due to their low weight, while being strong enough to provide lasting trust on each trail.

Their agility allows them to quickly climb fast technical uphills and come back down on demanding lines that require dynamism from the rider and their bike.

aluminum rims
HX 1700 SPLINE LS

These wheels are equipped with light, welded aluminum rims to suit characteristics of light eMTBs: agility and reliability.

The emphasis was put on the lightness of the rim to allow riders increased riding agility for those fast line changings on trails.

lighter hybrid spokes

With spokes thicker than those for MTBs, but thinner than those for eMTBs, the Hybrid MTB LS spokes ensure increased lateral and torsional stiffness compared to normal MTBs, without having a significant impact on the weight. Increased lateral stiffness is better suited to the additional light eMTB loads, while the enhanced torsional stiffness enables more direct power transmission from the hub to the rim.

Furthermore, each spoke is always loaded and unloaded during a wheel rotation. The continuous loading and unloading leads to fatigue behavior of the spoke, which is improved by the thicker diameter.

adapted hybrid hubs

Although the battery and motor are smaller, they still add extra weight compared to traditional MTBs. Lightweight eMTBs are often ridden the same way as traditional enduro bikes, adding extra loads to the components. For these reasons, the hub body has been redesigned. It allows for increased resistance to higher drive torques from motors and heavier brakes torques from additional weight, increasing its reliability, without compromising its lightness.

reinforced bearings

Grooved ball bearings are usually found in high-end bicycle hubs. These bearings have been optimized to spin fast and absorb radial forces while still being able to take up a certain number of axial forces. Bearing wear occurs when the forces on the balls or on the running surface are too high. The high local loads can lead to indentations in the running surface, which causes the balls to no longer run smoothly. Excessive point loads can also lead to abrasion of the running surface, which can result in play. Given the greater loads on eMTBs, adjustments to the ball bearings are also required. Accordingly, the new generation of hybrid wheels use larger ball bearings than the 240 EXP MTB hub. The larger ball bearings distribute loads over a larger area of the running surface, whereby less wear occurs.

dream build: light emtb & hybrid mtb ls wheels

daniel berger
cpo

The Hybrid Revolution

«Today, eMTB riding can be even more demanding for components than before. These new light eMTBs can provide downhill sensations close to classic mountain bikes due to their reduced weight, while still shortening the climbing time. The new Hybrid MTB LS wheels are designed for these new e-bikes, bringing high performance with lightness, agility and resistance to the higher eMTB loads.»

NILS VERHOEVEN Manager pm wheels & components

The Hybrid Evolution

«The exciting and, in our view, long-lasting trend of increasingly weight-reduced, light support eMTBs has played a significant role in the development of our latest eMTB wheels.

While our previous Hybrid MTB line is particularly focused on reliability under extremely high loads, Hybrid Light Support focuses on the interplay between agility and reliability, considering the increased torque by the additional motor.

The new range of hybrid MTB components brings quality, reliability and high performance to a new level, tailored to the needs of users, the different terrains and the eMTBs they use.»