The Epitome of Swiss Quality: Why DT Swiss Hubs Are the Industry Standard

In the world of cycling, there is a component you probably use every day but rarely think about—the hub. And in the world of hubs, DT Swiss is the undisputed king. It’s no exaggeration to say that if DT Swiss stopped supplying hubs tomorrow, at least half of the wheel brands worldwide would face supply disruptions.

The Hub: The Heart of the Wheel

Before we dive into DT Swiss hubs, let’s first understand the importance of the hub.

The hub is the core of the wheel—it connects the frame to the rim, bears the rider’s full weight and pedaling forces, and needs to spin as smoothly as possible. A good hub should possess:

1. Low rolling resistance: Smooth bearings that don’t waste your energy
2. Quick engagement: Pedaling force is transmitted to the rim rapidly
3. Lateral stiffness: No wobble, no deflection
4. Durability: Withstands wind, rain, and high-intensity use
5. Serviceability: Easy to maintain, parts readily available

DT Swiss hubs achieve an extremely high standard on every one of these metrics, which is why they have become the industry standard.

DT Swiss Hub Lineup

Road Bike Hubs

Model	Ratchet System	Bearings	Weight (Front + Rear)	Taiwan Price (Approx.)
180 Ratchet EXP	36T Star Ratchet	Sinc Ceramic	282g	NT$18,000
240 Ratchet EXP	36T Star Ratchet	Standard Steel	336g	NT$10,000
350	18T Star Ratchet	Standard Steel	376g	NT$4,500
370	Pawl	Standard Steel	398g	NT$3,000

Star Ratchet System Explained

Ratchet Ring Upgrade Path

One of the best things about the DT Swiss Star Ratchet system is its upgradability. Simply by swapping the ratchet rings, you can change the number of engagement teeth:

Teeth	Engagement Angle	Upgrade Kit Price (Approx.)	Best Suited For
18T	20°	Standard Equipment	Leisure riding, durability first
36T	10°	NT$1,500	Advanced riding, more responsive
54T	6.67°	NT$2,000	Race-level, instant engagement

The upgrade process is very simple—open the hub cover, install the new ratchet rings, apply grease, and reassemble. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes and requires no special tools.

Star Ratchet vs. Traditional Pawls

Comparison	Star Ratchet	Traditional Pawls
Contact Area	Full tooth-surface contact	2-6 pawls in contact
Force Distribution	Extremely even	Concentrated on pawls
Durability	Extremely high	Medium-high
Upgradability	Swap ratchet rings	Usually not upgradable
Maintenance Difficulty	Extremely low	Moderate
Sound	Moderate	Depends on design

Ratchet EXP Evolution

Launched in 2021, Ratchet EXP is the evolution of the Star Ratchet system. Key improvements:

1. Improved sealing: New seal design better blocks moisture and contaminants
2. Simplified installation: Freehub body installation and removal is easier
3. Backward compatible: Works with existing ratchet upgrade rings
4. Multiple freehub standards: The same hub body can accept different freehub standards (Shimano Micro Spline, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo N3W)

Why Are DT Swiss Hubs the Industry Standard?

1. Absolute Dominance in OEM Supply

DT Swiss hubs are widely used in wheels from the following brands:

• Roval: Multiple models use DT Swiss architecture
• ENVE: The Foundation series uses DT Swiss hubs
• Hunt: Most models come standard with DT Swiss hubs
• Boyd: DT Swiss hubs available as an option
• Most Chinese carbon wheel brands: DT Swiss 350/240 hubs as a selling point

2. Global Availability of Spare Parts

No matter where you are in the world, DT Swiss parts are relatively easy to obtain. In Taiwan, almost every bike shop of any size stocks common service parts such as ratchet rings, bearings, and end caps for DT Swiss hubs.

3. Consistent, Reliable Quality Control

DT Swiss has production lines in both Switzerland and Asia, but quality control standards are uniform. Regardless of where they are made, the performance of DT Swiss hubs is highly consistent.

4. Sensible Price Ladder

From the NT$3,000 370 to the NT$18,000 180, DT Swiss offers the best-in-class option at every price point. This allows riders with different budgets to enjoy DT Swiss quality.

The Taiwan Market: The First Choice for Hubs

Service Convenience

In Taiwan, the serviceability of DT Swiss hubs is their biggest selling point. By comparison:

• Zipp hubs: Parts may not be fully available in Taiwan
• Chris King hubs: Parts are expensive and require special tools
• Industry Nine: Parts are almost impossible to find in Taiwan
• Campagnolo: CULT bearings require factory service

DT Swiss? Walk into any decent bike shop, and they can almost certainly handle it.

Upgrade Recommendations

Upgrade recommendations for Taiwan riders:

1. Wheels with stock DT Swiss 370 hubs: Spend NT$1,500 to upgrade to 36T ratchet rings for an instant improvement in engagement speed
2. When considering buying wheels: Prioritize products using DT Swiss 240 or 350 hubs for the lowest long-term maintenance costs
3. Custom wheel builds: If you’re having a wheelset hand-built, the DT Swiss 240 is the best hub choice—top-tier quality, easy servicing, and a reasonable price

DT Swiss Hubs vs. Other Brands

Hub Brand	Representative Model	Engagement Teeth	Weight	Price	Taiwan Service Convenience
DT Swiss	240 EXP	36T	336g	NT$10,000	Extremely high
Chris King	R45D	72pt	346g	NT$22,000	Low
Industry Nine	Hydra	690pt	340g	NT$18,000	Extremely low
Shimano	Dura-Ace	Pawl	330g	With wheelset	High
Zipp	ZR1	66T	310g	With wheelset	Medium
Campagnolo	CULT	Pawl	350g	With wheelset	Medium

How to Maintain Your DT Swiss Hub

Basic Maintenance (Every 3-6 Months)

1. Remove the freehub body (tool-free, pull it straight out)
2. Clean the ratchet ring surface
3. Apply DT Swiss-specific ratchet grease (do not use regular lubricating oil!)
4. Inspect the ratchet ring for wear
5. Reinstall

Bearing Replacement (Every 1-2 Years or When There Is Noise)

1. Remove the end caps and axle
2. Use a bearing press tool to remove the old bearings
3. Press in new bearings
4. Reassemble and adjust the preload

Summary

DT Swiss hubs have become the industry standard not because of marketing or price wars, but because of the quality of the product itself and the completeness of the entire ecosystem. The ingenious design of the Star Ratchet system, the global availability of spare parts, and the reasonable price gradient—all of these together make DT Swiss hubs a safe choice where “you can’t go wrong.” This is especially true in Taiwan, where the ease of servicing DT Swiss hubs is a major plus when choosing a wheelset. The next time you buy a wheelset, pay a little extra attention to what hubs it uses—if you see the DT Swiss name, you can have a bit more peace of mind.

Related Reading

• The Complete Guide to DT Swiss Wheelsets: From the King of Hubs to Carbon Wheel Newcomers
• Hub Ratchet System Comparison: DT Swiss Star Ratchet vs Shimano vs Others
• Bicycle Rear Hub Ratchet Maintenance: Make Your Hub Sound Crisper
• DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT: Swiss Precision Aero Carbon Wheels