DT Swiss Tricon 29″er Wheels: Mid-Term- by c_g
- If you need to refresh about the technologies and features involved in the TRICON 29″er wheelset- see here.
- The first detailed riding impressions can be found here
The test wheels have been mounted on the ROCKY MOUNTAIN element 970 test rig since the beginning and there have completed hundreds of kilometers of testing under various conditions. Everything from bitter cold, muddy wet, to pleasant spring weather.
This new for 2012 LRS by DT is based on the revolutionary TRICON hub and lacing technology (30 straight spokes, partly crossed and partly radial, with a special hub design). What to some may appear as a optical tuning to prove marketing efforts, (we admittedly had these thoughts as well), has proven it worth in our test so far with very good success. Although the wheels still face the criticism of having a somewhat narrow rim- (19.5 mm internal rim width – but tubeless and completely UST compatible), continuing riding and direct comparisons with other wheel sets have shown that the TRICON 29″ers are among the stiffest and most direct, we ever rode … Definitely when it comes to aluminum rimmed wheels.
And the precision is not at the expense of overall ride quality: Although not the lightest (1800 g for the set), they feel quite nimble and pleasingly light during accelerating (no XC-race speed, but close enough). Despite the stiffness they still take off the edge of hits and hard blows from the ground effectively and feel overall very good. Although I’m admittedly a fan of standard laced wheel sets, the very direct feel and and excellent performance of the TRICON wheels continues to impress me … and helps me to cope more easily with the rather high price tag.
Currently I’m somewhat torn in my opinion of the TRICON 29″er wheels:
If you total all rational on the LRS and would let only the bare numbers speak, then it would be a bit too narrow, a little too heavy and too expensive … But if we set all figures aside and simply go by the riding impressions (admittedly a privilege that few have as we do), then things look different. If it were just about the ride and handling (or “performance”), then the TRICON 29″er wheels would be in the front row of our favor. In this case it is true that the numbers only tell part of the story – for now, we almost agree with what the guys (and gals) from DT say about the TRICON wheels – they simply bring out the best in any 29″er bike.
So far, no defects, service requirements or discrepancies that would leave me in doubt about the top quality of the wheels. The further testing will show.
Ride On
c_g
C_g,
I really hope you get to test new Syntace W30 MX wheelset. Price-wise and weight-wise they are right there with the Tricons, but with such different philosophy when it comes to rim width and I think that would be a great side-to-side comparison report.
@ Ojos Azules: We have had the same thoughts – the test is is in planning/preparation already. Hopefully we can confirm it soon.
The crows foot lacing pattern has been around for a long time. DT Swiss simply updated it so the hub accommodated direct pull spokes. The whole idea makes sense from a strength/stiffness standpoint.
In terms of what you get for the money it is a mixed bag. Part of this is that they are a bit conservative/safe when launching new products. From a durability standpoint this is good. I have a 240 disc rear hub that has been running now for five years and two builds. The total servicing involved during that time is occasionally cleaning and re-lubing the star ratchets. By occasionally I mean twice. That’s it! I am going to convert it to 12mm and swap out the bearings on the next rebuild. I fully expect to get another few years of quality riding out of the hub.
I would like to see their solid, light, and low drag hubs laced in this direct pull crows foot pattern up to a wider carbon rim with a stan’s type bead. Stupid expensive, but laterally stiff as all get out. Should be a 5 to 10 year wheel.