Tested: DT Swiss FX1950 Tricon

DT Swiss FX1950 Tricon
Weight: 1950g
Price: $1650

www.dtswiss.com

Yes, these euro-flashy hoops are bright, but these bomber freeride wheels from DT Swiss have a surly side with tried and true DT quality hubs laced up to a sealed tubeless compatible rim utilizing top notch DT bladed double butted spokes. This combination creates a solid and laterally stiff but otherwise forgiving wheelset that is capable of taking on some pretty insane riding while helping to smooth out your ride.

After many lift served laps and trail rides throughout Colorado, these wheels are holding true and have yet to collect a dent or flat spot. Setup with a 2.35” Schwalbe tire these wheels pedaled surprisingly well on our Santa Cruz Nomad. The extra weight was noticeable compared to lighter-duty trail oriented wheels but knowing you are able to pin it through rocky sections was well worth the extra effort.

A quick swap of tires (to a 2.4 Continental Trail King UST) and the wheels were ready for some lift access riding. This is where the wheels really shined. They were noticeably stiffer than the handbuilt DT Swiss EXi500/ DT350 combo they replaced, making the already hardy Nomad even more capable. After numerous trips down the rockiest, rowdiest trails we could find, the FX1950s were amazingly true and showed little wear, proving just how durable they are. 

I have always been a fan of the quality that comes from DT Swiss, their hubs are simple yet extremely well designed. The patented ratchet system provides instant engagement and is easily serviced by the home mechanic.

At less than 2000 grams this heavy-duty wheelset is built to be thrashed while providing efficient top-notch wheel attributes. Boasting an ultra wide 30-millimeter-wide outer rim profile (27 millimeter inner-rim profile), the FX 1950 wheelset is tubeless-compatible thanks to DT Swiss’s Tricon system, providing a sealed inner rim.

The FX1950 Tricon offers amazing stiffness when compared to similar wheels. Utilizing a 27mm internal width rim paired with bladed double-butted spokes, this pairing creates a wheel that is at home shredding the bike park as it is on the downhill track.

Available for all axle configurations, though they must be purchased with a specific one in mind, the FX1950 is a great upgrade for riders looking for a more substantial wheelset for everyday thrashing while also still providing a quality, high-end feel. Though they are designed more as a full-on freeride wheel, the FX is also a good option for bigger riders looking to gain the most out of a trail rig. Retail for the pair is $1,650 and are available from any DT Swiss retailer.