Yeah, their hubs are easy to upgrade. Mine are working well too.

 

Do you know if I can upgrade my Spline2 rear wheel with an 18T rachet to this 54T rachet? Planned on the 36T upgrade, but may go right to 54T instead.
Here is the wheel:
https://www.dtswiss.com/Wheels/MTB-Wheels/E-1700-Spline-TWO-27-5

 

Just found my answer here:
DT Swiss Ratchet 54t Upgrade kit, will triple the amount of engagement points of your stock star ratchet 18t hub. After installation engagement of your hub will only take 6.6° of pedal movement vs the 20 deg; of the stock 18t setup. This kit includes everything you need to make the swap in minutes including two star ratchets, two springs and DT Swiss' specially formulated Molykote grease. Upgrade fits DT Swiss' 190 ceramic, 240, 350 or 440 hubs.

DT Swiss 54T Star Ratchet Upgrade Kit > Components > Wheel Parts > Freehub Bodies | Jenson USA

 

Just upgraded my 350 hub with 54t ratchet. So far like it. We'll see how it holds up to 230lbs geared up on a 29 with a 28/36 low gear.

 

Thinking about doing this. Got two bikes with 350 hubs. Pricey though...

 

Great improvement with a super easy install. If you live anywhere where you ride technical rocks or roots you'll love the upgrade. Low maintenance too, especially if you live in a dry climate.

 

I've read the 54T is prone to chipping teeth. Not enough to affect performance but might be something to watch for.

 

My first one lasted less than 6 weeks before I experienced catastrophic slippage. The replacement has lasted a few years.

Yes, keep it clean and lubed. The teeth are very fine

 

Anyone wanna sell their 36t?

 

I have a set..pn me.

 

Changing to the 54 was done before I rode the Procaliber 9.8, of course 1 month later I threw on some Stan's Valors and now the Splines are collecting dust. The 54T ratchets were a very nice upgrade. BK

 

Has anyone found the 54T upgrade for under $95 anywhere? Thats seems quite high seeing my entire rear Spline2 wheel was under $150. These should be closer to 50 bucks for what it is imho. :madman:

 

i don't disagree, but at the same time you are lucky that you even have the option to upgrade IMO. how many other hubs have a simple, easy, affordable upgrade option available?

it's a lot better than having to build a new wheel.

 

Nice. I missed out on the Jenson 20% off deal because I wanted a 54T as well. $110 is ridiculous. Will have to wait for the next sale.

 

as many other people have said in the past, and i agree, the most important thing is to get away from that 18 POE number. the 36 upgrade is a nice compromise of cost/benefit. the jump from 36 to 54 is less dramatic.

 

What are the long-term reports on the fake 54T upgrades? Thought there was a thread here but it may have been a different forum.

 

There is a fake upgrade option?

I just upgraded my geared wheel set with the 54t ratchet. Super simple and I actually want to ride my geared bike now unlike when I had my 15* engagement AC hubs on it. 20* engagement was a complete non-starter. Honestly, I'm not sure why DT doesn't fit at least the 190's with the better ratchet. Maybe put the 54t in the 190's, the 36t in the 240's, and the LB 18t ratchet in the 350's.

 

There is a fake upgrade option?

I just upgraded my geared wheel set with the 54t ratchet. Super simple and I actually want to ride my geared bike now unlike when I had my 15* engagement AC hubs on it. 20* engagement was a complete non-starter. Honestly, I'm not sure why DT doesn't fit at least the 190's with the better ratchet. Maybe put the 54t in the 190's, the 36t in the 240's, and the LB 18t ratchet couple in the 350's.

It was a couple of pages back with mixed results. And 48T, not 54.

http://forums.mtbr.com/wheels-tires/48t-star-ratchet-%2460-ebay-dt-swiss-240-350-a-940469.html#post12700235

 

I have 2 sets of DT Swiss hubs 240s and 350 both with 36T. I recently upgraded to 54T. Its well worth it. I was a bit skeptical it would make or feel a difference.

Easiest install and money well spent. Noticed climbing was easier and allowed me to stay in a higher gear on my familiar local trails.

Plus now I can make noise like those guys on CK hubs and I9's lol

So is the 54t upgrade noisy? The reason I went with DT Swiss is because they are quiet. Is the 36 tooth upgrade noisy?

 

Yes 54 is louder than 36t

 

Any links on how to completely tear down the dt350?

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DT Swiss has manual up on their site: https://www.dtswiss.com/Resources/Support/HUBS/DT-Swiss-Hubs-Ratchet-Hubs-Technical-Manual

 

Fortunately, the 350's are easy to service and maintain. Tear down is pretty simple unless you want to remove the ring gear. That can be challenging even with the removal/installation tool.

 

ANyone upgrade the DT350 bearings to something better?

 

^^^^ What information are you wanting to know? What's better mean?

Ceramics perhaps?

 

Something with less friction to replace the stock bearings once they wear out. The stock ones are good but wanted to know my options if youre gonna replace them anways

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I thought ceramic bearings sisnt last

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How much do you ride? I don't think I've ever really worn out any of my wheel bearings...including the ones on my road wheels which have some 6k miles on them.

I've got a set of DT 350's and the bearings are pretty smooth. I mean my wheels can spin for a fairly long time when I spin them on the stand.

 

I avg 40-60miles week on the trail in socal's dusty dry sandy conditions. I probably just need to clean the bearings. It doesnt spin for that long but i dont hear any grinding. I was just wondering what ppl have done

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I avg 40-60miles week on the trail in socal's dusty dry sandy conditions. I probably just need to clean the bearings. It doesnt spin for that long but i dont hear any grinding. I was just wondering what ppl have done

depending on how much your current bearings are dragging they could be shot, or at least need servicing.

the stock bearings are good quality bearings and are known to be durable and spin really well. if you're going to replace them because yours are shot i would stick with the stock bearings.

if you want to "upgrade" you can move up the ABEC scale. I recently replaced the bearings in my hubs (not 350's) with ABEC 5. they're made to higher tolerances so supposed to be higher quality, last longer, spin better. you can go higher up the scale, ABEC 7,9,etc. but the higher you go the less improvement you get and the higher the cost. based on my research you quickly reach a point of diminishing returns. ABEC 5 is a good jump in tolerances and only a marginal cost increase, sweet spot for me. instead of $6-8 for the stock bearings I think i paid $12 ish?

ceramics are stupid expensive and not worth the cost IMO.

 

There are several things you can look at. Consider servicing your bearings with a lighter grease. I like Buzzy's Slick Honey as a dependable, lighter lubricant. There can be a trade off here that can mean increased service intervals, but with a lower coefficient of friction. Another consideration, (at least for the rear wheel) is the frequency and type of lubricant being used on the freehub or star ratchet. In the summer, I use Dumonde Tech freehub grease, but in winter the Dumonde freehub oil. The oil is lighter and can offer reduced friction and greater free-spin.

I have ceramics in my BB, and have been very happy with them, but for me personally, I'm not sure the price can be completely justified in all applications.