Submitted by
vigla2002
a Cross Country Rider
from Greece Date Reviewed: October 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$56.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
easy to use
Weaknesses:
Plastic Lever, ratchet mechanism rounded on first use!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
normal QR, DT Swiss, Shimano
Bike Setup:
All Mountain
Bottom Line:
upgraded to 240 rear hub with 10X135 thru bolt skewer for a stiffer ride, but had same problem as previews reviewer. Plastic ratchet teeth failed, had to tighten skewer using the bolt until I get something rugged. Very dissapointed of
quality. I think that if plastic lever and teeth were made of aluminium and metal respectively it would of been a great skewer. Didn't realize how sensitive it was, so watch out on force applied to tighten the skewer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CJA
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Looks nice
Weaknesses:
Plastic 'ratchet' mechanism rounded almost immediately
Similar Products Used:
Hope, Specialized, Shimano QR
Bike Setup:
PACE RC405
Bottom Line:
The system failed before i even got to a trail to find out whether it stiffened up the front end - no doubt I was a bit keen to tighten it to get the promised benefit, and it promptly rounded the plastic teeth in the handle which interface with the metal ones on the skewer meaning it couldn't be tightened properly. I would have thought having it nice and tight was the whole point - apparently not. If you own one, be careful about how much force you apply otherwise you might end up in the same position. In my view either get a 15 or 20mm axle/fork combo or stick with the 'normal' QRs...
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Submitted by
burnout
a Weekend Warrior
from Barcelona (Catalunya) Date Reviewed: September 28, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anyone
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
RedBarnBicycles
Strengths:
Good looking
Weaknesses:
Plastic Lever
Similar Products Used:
Standard Quick Release
Bike Setup:
SC Nomad Mk1, full of good stuff
Bottom Line:
this is for the 10mm RWS, but I guess is valid for all RWS products.
I only used 2 rides. The second ride, I fall and the lever broke in pieces. My previous Hope lever has suffered similar stuff and did not broke.
Plastic lever is weak. I talked with DT Swiss and they did NOTHING. Please redesign the lever and use Alu or Ti !!!
Come on!! This is a 10mm axle, supposed to be used in a tough environment. Broken on the first fall.... Not acceptable at this price.
I will buy a Hadley 10mm axle to replace this DT.
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Submitted by
wilsonblur
a Weekend Warrior
from Heidelberg, Germany Date Reviewed: September 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Neustad Red Dot
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
AEBike
Strengths:
Stiff, easy to use, well constructed, easy to install, makes a huge difference riding. I can't believe I didn't make this change years ago.
Weaknesses:
none that I can see except they are pricey and not all hubs can be upgraded to the 9mm front and 10mm rear
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Salsa, Velo Max, and a bunch of no name skeweres
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5, Fox TALAS 140mm, Hugi 240 hubs, 717 rims, RF cranks, and a bunch of other good stuff.
Bottom Line:
I was getting a ton of twist and fork hop when braking hard. The long travel 32mm forks I used seem to steer themselves, but after I installed the RWS it was totally fixed. Occassionally my 5.5 rear triangle would twist under torque when climbing and the rear rotor would rub. Now it never does. The bike tracks better over everything and no twist from the front brake. All the rock gardens and really rough technical sections that bike tracks so much truer its amazing. I don't know of any $150 upgrade I have made that has ever had such a big impact on the performance of my bike.
If you have the Hugi hubs this is a must.
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Submitted by
LowLow
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, CA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Strength, ease of use, reliability.
Weaknesses:
Over-priced.
Similar Products Used:
Various other skewers.
Bottom Line:
I put the skewer on my rear wheel because I noticed some flex when going over some more gnarly rock gardens. The skewer is very stiff and is easy to use, and it comes in handy on more technical terrain (at least for my bike). I can't imagine why anyone who rides technical terrain would prefer a regular skewer to these.
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Submitted by
HalomTano Biking
a Cross Country Rider
from Loma Linda, CA Date Reviewed: December 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
It really is stiffer then a regular Quick Release skewer
Weaknesses:
Not as user friendly as a QR. Heavier. Plastic handle. Expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Salsa, and no-name OEM skewers
Bike Setup:
Giant TranceX, Fox F120 and RP2, XT, 817 tubeless rims, Specialized Eskar tires
Bottom Line:
I have a DT swiss 240 hub on my front wheel which I had been using with an XT skewer. That worked OK but I could tell there was some flex, especially in G-outs or really hard bermed corners. I decided to get the RWS system since the hub was ready to go with just getting new endcaps. The skewer itself is basically a thicker more solid skewer with a fixed plastic handle that you use to screw in. No flipping of a lever or anything. This lets you get the torque tight. But you have to be careful or you could snap the plastic. Took it out on my usual loop. It really does work! Front end stiffer. Less rub on my disc brake pads. I'll have to see how it will last long term. If you want to stiffen up your ride without committing to new wheels, fork, etc, try it out. If I had a choice, I'd go with a whole new QR15 or Maxle Lite setup but no money, so this is the next best thing.
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Submitted by
Stuey Sasquach
a Weekend Warrior
from Shropshire, England Date Reviewed: November 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Follow the Dog + Wrekin & Ercall.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Chainreaction
Strengths:
Improved stiffness, looks, decent weight if your not a weight weenie!
Weaknesses:
Cost and lack of decent user instructions (good job I'm an experienced mechanic).
Similar Products Used:
Hope(steel), Shimano XT.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit(steel rear 9mm)+ Specialized FSR Stumpjumper(front Ti 9mm).
Bottom Line:
Thought about these quite a bit before buying my first one for the Bullit. They are bloody expensive, however my frame is a 2004, therefore no changable dropout. So I bit the bullet (lol see what I did there) and purchased a steel rear RWS. And frankly I've had no issues what so ever!
My back end now has noticable increased stiffness and feedback especially carving round turns!
I was so impressed I've just got a Ti front RWS for my XC trail bike to stiffen up my Talas 32's.
Overall I'd recommend these for those of us who don't have the option to upgrade/change axles or frame dropouts. I personally think the price of these is only reasonable compared to changing forks & hubs to 15/20mm bolt-thru. I do however prioritize my biking lifestyle and will happily go without life's other luxuries to pamper my bikes!
ps check ebay for bargain RWS's before going to a shop to pay full prices! I got my Ti front RWS for £30(RRP £50).
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Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Wisconsin Date Reviewed: October 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ojibwe (Cable WI)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Strengths:
This clamps TIGHT! Looks great
The grip teeth stay in one place when tightening (they don't spin and eat away your frame)
Weaknesses:
The handle seems weak, but if you break it then its way overtightened. Kind of pricey.
Similar Products Used:
Regular skewers?
Bike Setup:
Specialized E5 Road S-works
Bottom Line:
I had a problem with my road bike which caused me to get this product. My old skewer was not able to hold my wheel in place because of the torque from when I sprinted. I even used a new skewer with sharp teeth and it would not hold, no matter how tight I could close it. I switched to the DT skewer and it gets it so tight that I can sprint like a cheeta and it will not slip. This is the best thing I have ever bought for my bike. However I would not recommend it if you don't have this problem, because it's not worth the money if a regular skewer works fine!
Honestly I can't believe the bad reviews give to this product. I don't know what they are thinking but this product is great. Just don't be hulk hogan and try to tighten this like its a lug nut. Oh and it doesn't take 20 minutes to take off your wheel. I literally got up and timed myself to take off the rear wheel. I can take the wheel totally off my bike in 10 seconds.
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Submitted by
obokos
a Weekend Warrior
from Plymouth Date Reviewed: July 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Whatever I can get to today
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Makes one hell of a difference to wheel / fork stiffness. Completely transformed my bike.
Weaknesses:
Not sure about longevity, strength and any of the other issues guys here are talking about. Will get back to you on those....
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
05 works stumpy / 07 fox 32 / dt 240 hubs
Bottom Line:
I can't describe what a difference these little items have made to my bike. Bye bye hope(less) ti skewers, which were very flexible and made my front wheel wander all over the place.
Instead of contemplating a new bike with a bolt through front axle, I am now perfetly content with my current one! What I thought were dodgy riding skills turned out to be flexy ti skewers. My confidence has been transformed.
Bearing i mind what other people have said about these, I would probably go for a non-qr (?solid) axle with big allen key bolts, if I could get one, but I was unable to locate anything that looked sufficiently robust or had a good review.
If anyone has a recommendation for a really solid allen key type skewer or even a solid axle that would work on DT 240 hubs, let me know.
Bottom line - DON'T SKIM WEIGHT ON YOUR SKEWERS.
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Submitted by
gunner123
a Racer
from roswell GA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
blankets creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
stiff
Weaknesses:
takes like 20 minutes to put the wheel back on after a flat, and that likks you in a race
Bike Setup:
specializes stump jumper comp
Bottom Line:
ok skewers for a beginer cause you wont accidentals open them and your whell fall off whyle riding, but they take forever to put the wheel back on.
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Submitted by
wannabfast
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga, CA Date Reviewed: June 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Demo Forest
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
universal cycles
Strengths:
Increases stiffness, better connection than a qr and faster than a bolt-on
Weaknesses:
expensive, sufficient torque required to stay tight
I weigh about 200 loaded for a ride and notice improved lateral stiffness when braking and cornering. As others noted, they can come loose if not torgued properly. I use a bit of anti-seize on the threads helps. Recommended fro trail riding imo
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eatdrinkride
a
from the desert, usa Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
National I guess
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa
Strengths:
QR 10mm TA, nice idea.
Weaknesses:
Handle loosens, handle breaks. This makes you want tighten the handle waaaay too much.
Similar Products Used:
none, just standard qr levers.
Bike Setup:
wheels, seat, etc.
Bottom Line:
THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 10MM BOLT THRU QR VERSION:
I converted my Hope Pro2 rear hub to 10mm TA and bought this RWS to go with it. The ideal of a QR TA is great but this product is utter crap. After installing the first one 3 months ago I rode it a few times. On my 3rd or 4th ride locally I noticed the wheel was wobble after a run. The QR was loose so I tightened it up. A week later it was loose again and when I went to tighten it up the handle came off in my hand. Jenson sent it back for warrantee, no problems there. I installed the second one about 6 weeks ago and we went to Moab. When taking my bike out of the truck to start off the day at Porc. Rim I found the wheel loose again. The day before our run was up Poison Spider and down Portal! WTF? I rode down Portal with a loose wheel? That is completely scary. Soooo when I went to tighten it the handle broke off in my hand AGAIN.
Long story short is I believe that rock strikes must be causing the handle to be rotated backwards, I have no other explanation unless it just loosens all by itself, which seems very unlikely.
IMO this thing is not made for anybody who actually rides any sort of technical/rocky trails as the handle that protrudes can get hit and/or break off. I replaced it with a Hadley bolt thru axle with a 6mm allen key. It's much better and only cost 10 bucks compared to $50 for the RWS.
Bottom line: I think this RWS is more of a gimmick than a useful addition to any real mtb. Too bad as I was stoked to get it but taking off the Hadley only takes 5 seconds with a allen wrench, which I have on my multi tool anyhow.
I DO NOT recommend this to anyone but riders of the most sublime xc singletrack.
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Submitted by
Jonathan
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: May 21, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Competitive Cyclist
Strengths:
Tightens down tightly at first. Looks cool.
Weaknesses:
Poor design for serious riders who remove their rear wheel often for maintenance. Plastic lever feels like it will break at any moment.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT skewers, Generic Specialized skewers
Bike Setup:
2007 Turner Spot with Shimano XT. 2007 Fox TALAS.
Bottom Line:
These would not stay tight for me despite applying significant force. I do maintenance on my bike at least every 2-3 days where I remove the rear whell. I got concerned when I saw aluminum shavings falling from the dropouts when I re-tightened the DT skewers... The design of these means that it is very easy to gouge out your frame at the dropouts. You need to twist the lever quite hard and this results in a lot of grinding pressure applied to your frame. I'm disappointed to see this and now there are noticeable gouges at the dropouts. I switched to Shimano XT skewers today because their design means no significant grinding pressure on the frame. Hope I haven't waited to long to switch to Shimano's and they don't make the problem worse. DT, go back to the drawing board on these ones.
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Submitted by
Johnny Mojo
a
from York PA USA Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycles
Strengths:
They are tighter and more secure than traditional skewers.
Weaknesses:
I orginally purchased a rear skewer(steel version) and used it problem free for a year on my AM bike. Happy with the performance I bought a Ti pair for my Mojo. All was well until I went on wet, muddy ride and I tried to remove my front wheel. The inside of the handle than contains the teeth had become clogged with mud and I stripped the teeth out and was unable to remove my wheel. I saw that it was clogged prior to attempting to remove the wheel and tried to flush it out with water but it was a wasted effort. I had to wait until I got back home where I had my torx head wrench to remove it.
Bottom Line:
DT Swiss quickly sent a replacement handle but I'm amazed that they didn't see this design flaw during R&D. Needless to say I was pissed that I spent so much money on set of skewers and they could leave me hoofing back to my car. Don't buy these if you regularly encounter sloopy conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, CA Date Reviewed: March 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
anydirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Oh so tight. You can really crank these babies down for super stiff confidence. I love the ratchet action.
Weaknesses:
A bit pricey...
Similar Products Used:
nothing quite like this, but I have had other dt swiss skewers,as well as xt, xtr and salsa.
Bike Setup:
I have an '07 BLT with a FOX 140 rlc, a fox rp23, juicy seven brakes, xtr crank, sram x9 gears and blood red industry nine all mountain wheels.
Bottom Line:
The ratchet action of these skewers really tightens down wheels, which is especially important when running a 205 mm disc on the front. I broke my last skewers and needed new ones so when I got tired of waiting for i9 to release theirs, I went with the dt swiss. I didn't expect them to affect my ride any, but I can really feel the extra stiffness; so much so that I had to tweak my suspension settings a bit.
I wouldn't reccommend running out and getting these just to get them, unless you have money to burn, but when your current skewers wear out, check these out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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