Hybrid MTB | DT Swiss

built to extend

DT Swiss pursues its mission to bring eMTB riders the components they need to ride for an extended time without concern. The sport has grown, the needs have changed and that's precisely what our range represents. DT Swiss has redeveloped and reimagined it's Hybrid line in order to keep up with the new demands of hybrid mountain bike riders. Compared to conventional MTBs, eMTBs enable longer tours, rides to previously inaccessible spots, groups with varying levels of rider strength. Thus eMTBs extend the scope of movement, group strength, experience, thereby strengthening a rider’s freedom. As eMTBs have continued to evolve, not only the riding experience but also the performance has extended significantly in recent years. More powerful electric motors, bigger batteries and a paradigm shift in user behavior have led to an increase in loads and thus in the requirements for eMTBs. DT Swiss has therefore completely revised the Hybrid MTB wheels.

purpose-built hybrid mtb components

Technical expertise gained over many years has allowed DT Swiss to be an ambassador of new technologies, developing specific components for rapidly evolving requirements. Much like a chain where each link contributes to the strength of the whole system, each component of DT Swiss wheels has been built to extend performance and experience. Each Hybrid hub has been redesigned with components that can withstand and transmit the full power of the rider and motor directly to the ground, through thicker spokes and reinforced rims.

redesigned hub shell

Due to the battery and motor, eMTBs tend to weigh more than traditional MTBs of the same category. eMTBs are not ridden less hard; in fact the opposite is often the case, as tours are longer and the load on the components increases. In addition, the transmitted torque of the motor is higher than with conventional MTBs. The hub shell was completely redesigned for the new hybrid generation with these points in mind.

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.

Specific hardened steel freehub body

The torque of the motor and the crank is transmitted via the chain to the cassette and then to the freehub body. This interface of cassette and freehub body is optimized for the specific loads accrued by eMTBs. Hybrid freehub bodies are made from specific hardened steel. Compared to the conventional aluminum freehub body, the specific hardened steel offers a higher strength. In addition, it has a higher fatigue strength. This means that despite a high number of load changes resulting in minor damage to the surface, the strength remains. The higher strength reduces wear on the surface of the freehub body. As a result, the removal of the freehub body is easier, since it is less likely that the cassette will dig into the freehub body.

Thicker spokes

Thicker spokes are used in the Hybrid wheels in comparison to the conventional MTB wheels. This Hybrid specific spoke increases both the lateral and the torsional stiffness. As previously explained in the context of the hub flange, this helps to get better lateral stiffness, more suited to the loads of eMTBs but it also increases torsional stiffness, for the transmission of the propulsion power from the hub to the rim. Furthermore, each spoke is always loaded during a rotation. This continuous and consistent load avoids fatigue of the spoke that can lead to failure.

resilient rims

Modern eMTBs are developed to go faster and harder. Our Hybrid wheels are proven to support a maximum system weight of 150 kg. DT Swiss rims have additional material right where it matters. They have reinforcement on the external central part of the rim, because this is where the biggest loads are when the bike supports its and the rider’s weight. The forces exerted on the wheels come from the top and go down vertically to the ground. That is to say that the spokes which are on the lower part at the time of the rotation, support most of the weight. Therefore, the profiles of the rims have not changed and remain the same as the ones that have been tested and approved on the most challenging trails. These rims are available in a variety of internal widths so that every rider can select the features they want and get the best grip and traction possible.

daniel berger
cpo

The Hybrid Revolution

«At DT Swiss, as well as for me personally, we still have the same passion and mission as we did 5 years ago: to help users share their ride and go further faster with their bikes on any terrain. As today's e-bikes offer enormous performance, the rides are getting longer and longer each year and this is exactly what we considered for the new range of Hybrid components.»

NILS VERHOEVEN Manager pm wheels & components

The Hybrid Evolution

«Based on an already well-performing Hybrid product range, we have considered the current evolution and diversification that is emerging in the eMTB sector. While our goal is still the same, our products were redeveloped to be in line with the new eMTB specificities and with the users' behaviors. The new range of Hybrid MTB components brings quality, reliability and high performance to another level, precisely fitted to the users’ needs and the different terrains and eMTBs they use.»