DT Swiss has added a new 38mm-deep rim to its ARC Dicut aero road wheel series. Previously available in 50mm, 62mm, and 80mm depths, the new shallower wheel is being called the ultimate climbing wheel, weighing in at 1,292g, 180g lighter than the next lightest, the ARC 1100 Dicut 50.

DT says it had to strike a balance between aero and weight reduction. Shallow rims are lighter but less aerodynamic, while deep rims are more aerodynamic but heavier.

A hooked bead rim with a depth of 38 mm can keep the weight of a top-of-the-line wheel under 1,300 g while providing excellent aero efficiency. The brand had to develop a new carbon layup to achieve the wheel's design goals and reach the weight sweet spot.

At low yaw angles, the new 38 mm deep wheels are close to the aero performance of the deeper Dicat 50, according to DT Swiss testing. Only at high yaw angles, the sail effect acting on the deeper rim makes a difference of a few watts in aerodynamic drag.

Last year, we brought 10 wheelsets to the Silverstone wind tunnel, and in our own tests, the deep 62mm ARC 1100 Dicut wheels were the most aero effective.

DT also tested the wheels against competitors such as Enve, Hunt, Lightweight, and Fulcrum, concluding that the lightest weight wheels were the most aerodynamic and the Dicut 38 was the least aerodynamic of the seven wheelsets tested. According to the attached press release, all wheels were tested with Continental GP5000S 25mm TR tires.

The new ARC 38 rims are available with two different hubs: the DT 180 hub is named the ARC 1100 Dicut 38 and is priced at £2,499.98 / $2,999.80 / €2,499.80; the DT 240 hub is named the ARC 1400 Dicut 38 and is £1,864.98 / $2,399.80 / €2,049.80.

Both the 180 and 240 Dicut hubs are 36-tooth ratchet EXP freehubs, available with Shimano and SRAM XDR freehubs. There is no Campagnolo option.

The wheels differ in hub shell design and spokes used. The Arc 1100 Dicat 38 weighs 1,292 g, while the Arc 1400 Dicat 38 weighs 1,361 g.

The new wheels are already in use by the Tudor Pro Cycling and Uno-X Mobility pro teams.

According to Michael Stoller of Tudor Pro Cycling, who used the new wheels at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, "The weight difference is immediate: "Especially on steep climbs like Mortirolo. The difference in weight was immediately apparent: "Especially on a steep climb like Mortirolo, the difference in weight was immediately apparent: "Especially on a steep climb like Mortirolo, the difference in weight was immediately apparent.