Anyone wanting to retrofit a gravel bike with a dynamo lighting system has so far faced a difficult task. Ready-made wheels are usually only available as cheap city bike specimens, individual spoking is comparatively expensive and requires a lot of expertise in selecting the right components. A more comfortable solution that is also suitable for sporty bikes is now available from wheel giant DT Swiss. The Swiss company presents two mid-range wheelsets for gravel bikes with proven DT Swiss hub technology, which are equipped with a hub dynamo on the front wheel ex works.
This solution should appeal to cyclists and commuters in particular, as gravel bikes have become widely established for these purposes in recent years. A hub dynamo not only provides reliable light that can be used at any time. With the right accessories, it can also be used to charge smartphones, power banks and navigation devices while travelling.
Slim, stylish and roadworthy
For the "DYN" versions of the GR 1600 Spline and G 1800 Spline wheelsets, the Swiss company entered into a co-operation with the manufacturer Shutter Precision. The company is one of the market leaders for hub dynamos and supplied the electronic inner workings, which originate from the tried and tested PL-7 model. DT Swiss produced a matching hub body that is barely recognisable as a dynamo at first glance and blends seamlessly into the design of the wheels.
The company is particularly proud of the efficiency of the dynamo. It does cause a certain amount of resistance even when the lights are switched off. However, up to a speed of 30 km/h, the power loss should be less than one watt and therefore barely noticeable. If the generator supplies power, the resistance increases to up to four watts. The performance values comply with the German StvZO, so that nothing stands in the way of legal use on German roads. According to the manufacturer, the additional weight compared to an identical front wheel without dynamo is a good 230 grams.
The dynamo should be specially designed for gravel use, the hub is sealed accordingly and the electronics should also be able to cope with a rough riding style. Another advantage of the factory solution is that you can contact DT Swiss' global service network if you have any problems.
Available in two wheel sizes
With their 24 millimetre rim width, the aluminium rims are designed for typical gravel bike tyres and are tubeless-compatible with the tape already fitted. DT Swiss recommends tyres up to 53 millimetres wide. Both models are available in 28 inch and 27.5 inch (650B). The difference between the G1600 and G1800 Spline lies in the details of the rim production: The rim of the G1600 Spline is welded, while the rings of the G1800 Spline are only pinned. This results in a slight difference in weight; according to the manufacturer, the cheaper set should weigh around 50 grams more. The ancillary technology, spokes, design and dimensions are otherwise identical. The maximum permissible system weight for both models is a hefty 130 kilograms.
The pricing is still somewhat opaque. DT Swiss charges €248.90 (G 1800 Spline DYN) or €320.90 (GR 1600 Spline DYN) for the individual front wheels as a retrofit solution. The dynamo hub is also available individually for 174.90 euros and can then be spoked into an existing DT Swiss wheel, although this hardly seems economically viable. DT Swiss did not communicate prices for sets consisting of a dynamo front wheel and a classic rear wheel in the press release. For the versions without dynamo, the set prices are 599 and 429 euros respectively.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
