VegasJen

Looking at buying a set of Elite wheels. I watched the video on their site about the construction and one thing that got my attention were the bearings. At least from the video, the front axle bearings look awfully similar to the bearings in my Bont inline skates. Those work great for skates, but I have an Alex wheelset that uses them and they're garbage in a bike application. Elite offers an extra charge upgrade to DT Swiss, one option is for DT Swiss 350 and the other is DT Swiss 240. The 350 is only about 60% the cost of the 240 (which seems counterintuitive to me, but what do I know?). As for me, I'm not a super hard core cyclist. Between all my bikes, I'm probably maybe 2000 miles a year. I'm a middle-of-the-pack age group triathlete, just looking for a decent, budget friendly wheel set for one of my road bikes.

Barry2 

This has a lot of info.

Barry

Turnin_Wrenches

VegasJen : I have used DT Swiss 240 and 350 hubs for the past several years and highly recommend both. IMO, the 350 is the clear winner if budget-friendly is your preference. They're pretty much "bomb-proof" in terms of durability, are very easy to service, and perform just as well as the 240s. You sacrifice some weight with the 350s (about 40g I think) and get an 18-tooth star ratchet (versus a 36-tooth star ratchet in the 240s). Keep in mind, the start ratchet can be upgraded if you want more points of engagement (36-tooth and 54-tooth configurations are available), which is a nice feature.

Also be aware that the 240s can be obnoxiously loud when freewheeling. Some roadies love that, some don't. I'm in the later camp, but I can tolerate it. The noise does come in handy when you want someone to know you're approaching without saying "on your left"... so the 240s have that going for them .

TiHabanero

I have been running the 350 hub set for 5 years now. I weigh in at 235 pounds and did not want an aluminum axle thus the 350 hubs were the correct option. I use the wheel set on two bikes alternating between a daily rider and a touring bike. The hubs are robust and much quieter than other hubs. Servicing the ratchet system is super easy, but does not need to be done very often, however since I am a maintenance nut I take it apart every year to do a clean and grease. These are easily my favorite hubs, even more favored than my old faithful Campagnolo hubs.
As for the star engagement options, the standard 18 tooth is just fine for my needs. My son also rides the 350 hub set, however he has changed the engagement rings to 36 tooth because he races on them and appreciates the super quick engagement. FWIW, it is the only hub set to go for more than a year without breaking the freehub or axle.

VegasJen

Awesome, guys! Thanks for the replies.

grumpus

Sorry but I have to say this, because nobody else did:

The difference is 110.

Ba-dum-tish. Thank you very much, I'm here all week etc.


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Hondo6

Nice.

I actually thought about posting something like, "Two or three hundred $ per set." But I decided that would be too groan-inducing, so I didn't.

grumpus

The thing about dad jokes is you know they're terrible but you tell them anyway, can't resist ... well, some people can, but I can only sometimes.

VegasJen

Seems most numerical models represent an increase level of some sort. Didn't occur to me this was a decrease in weight.

grumpus

Ah, it makes perfect sense when you know.

Dan Burkhart 

Yeah DT hubs are kind of like golf. Low number better.

bblair

DT Swiss makes a 350, 240, 180. I chose the 240 because it's in the middle. And I liked the way it looks. And because it was one of the few high end hub models that is still made in rim brake config.

Bob Ross

Compared to what?

I own four wheelsets built with DT240s hubs and all of them are quieter freewheeling than any of the Chris King, White Industries, Cole, Shimano, or Mavic hubs that we also have or had.

Turnin_Wrenches

Interesting that your 240 hubs are less noisy than the others you mentioned. In my original comment I was specifically comparing the noise level of the 240 to the 350, but I'd say the 240s are at the louder end of the spectrum compared to other road hubs. The loudest hub I've personally heard was a Mavic (can't remember the model). It was stupid loud!!! Chris King hubs are also loud, but they sound so cool and have great tone ... swarm of bees.