• Carbon rim - material reinforcement at the area of the spoke holes and hookless rim flange for increased impact resistance
• 24 mm internal width, tubeless-ready
• Aero-optimized rim shape - AERODYNAMICS BY SWISS SIDE 
• 130 kg max. system weight

• Highest stiffness through 24x2 cross-lacing pattern
• DT aero comp spokes
• Maximum durability through straightpull spoke head

• 240s based Spline hub
• 36T SL Ratchet System
• Easy maintenance & tool-free convertibility (SRAM XDR available)

• 24 mm wide tubeless-ready
• durable welded alloy rim 
• reinforced rim base and flange
• 130 kg. max. system weight

•  24x2 cross-lacing pattern
• DT new aero & DT aero comp spokes
• straightpull spoke head

• 350 based SPLINE hub
• 18T Ratchet System
• convertible freehub body (SRAM XDR available)

• 24 mm wide tubeless-ready
• durable sleeved alloy rim
• scratchproof waterslide decals
• 130 kg. max. system weight

• 24x2 cross-lacing pattern
• DT new aero & DT aero comp spokes
• straightpull spoke head

• 370-based SPLINE hub
• Pawl System
• convertible freehub body (SRAM XDR available)

Reducing aerodynamic drag was a key target of the development process for the GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 wheelset. Aerodynamics have a significant influence on riding speed – both on tarmac and off-road. While speed may not be your primary goal on bike-packing trips, it definitely is for all racing-oriented gravel riders. Regarding the influence of a gravel tire on performance, an aerodynamically optimized wheelset needs an aerodynamically performing tire to deliver its full potential – meaning as little profile and as narrow as possible, which requires a compromise in terms of comfort, traction and durability.

• Tire choice on the GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 with a 42 mm wide knobby tire (1) wheelset can make a difference of up to 15 watts compared to GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 with a 35 mm wide slick tire (2).
• Under the aspect of aerodynamic performance - without losing significant comfort, traction and durability - the GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 wheelset works best with 35 mm wide slick or low-profile tires (2).  
• Choosing super-narrow 30 mm low-profile tires (3) allows aerodynamic performance to be further improved. However, this can be considered only for super-smooth and fast gravel surfaces.

• The difference between the GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 (2) and the GR 1600 SPLINE 25 (1) may seem small but it still offers a relevant aerodynamic advantage by over 5 watts for all racing-oriented gravel riders.
• There is no possibility of creating a relevant sailing effect using wide ( >35 mm) gravel tires.

Our engineers have performed a series of extensive and meticulous internal tests to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of rim and tire specification on rolling resistance. This ongoing process has resulted in the development of an in-house testing rig to measure different tire and wheel combinations. With regard to the development of our new gravel wheels, there is one key finding regarding rolling resistance:

The graphic shows the advantage of the 24 mm wide GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 rim over the 22 mm wide CRC 1400 SPLINE 24 rim at different tire pressures using a 35 mm wide gravel tire with a slick profile.

Traction has a significant influence on performance in gravel riding. Tire profile and tire pressure are mainly responsible for traction, nevertheless the rim also has a significant influence. Through an increased inner rim width, side wall stability is improved as the tire receives better support from the rim. Side wall stability and a wider contact area in the direction of the cornering force provide improved traction.

(1) Improved side wall stability

(2) Wider contact area

Based on > 35 mm wide gravel tires, the 24 mm wide gravel rim offers better tire support compared to conventional narrow rims. It allows more aggressive cornering due to the tire’s improved side wall stability. Combined with a 24 mm wide gravel rim, the tire has a wider contact area in the direction of the cornering force.

What could be more annoying than suffering broken components in the middle of a bike-packing trip? DT Swiss GRAVEL wheels are built to last under the harshest conditions, day in day out. With 130 kg maximum system weight, they are the perfect fit for overloaded adventure bikes. The proven Ratchet System technology secures endless trouble-free miles in the saddle and the extra-durable DT aero comp spokes minimize the risk of standing still with a broken spoke. Gravel rims are running through a torture program of MTB and ROAD based drumtest setups in our in-house testing facility that meets the increased demand on durability and impact resistance.

Clearly being the most subjective parameter and quite hard to measure, comfort has a big influence on riding performance in the gravel segment. It may offer the decisive advantage in the last hour of long-distance gravel racing as well as a constant benefit on the daily stages of a bike-packing adventure. The possibility of running wider tires with a larger volume and less tire pressure offers a huge comfort benefit. This is maximized by choosing the 650b versions of our gravel wheels and running super-wide tires at lower pressure.

The larger a tire’s volume, the less tire pressure is needed. Consequently, less tire pressure demands less force to compress the tire for bump absorbtion which results in increased comfort.