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DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:02 am
by audiophilitis
Been reading about this upgrade for either DT 190 or 240 rear hubs. Stock rachet has 18 steps so this upgrade supposedly enhances the "engagement point." Just wondering if any DT Swiss hub users have any experience with this and willing to share an opinion. I've taken my DT190 hubs apart for cleaning/light greasing of the internals and though about doing this upgrade if anyone has a positive experience to share. It's quite a popular upgrade in the MTB space. TIA.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:32 am
by tetonrider
hi.

i've performed this upgrade on some MTB wheels. it is a trivial upgrade to perform. the 36T ratchets are also very slightly lighter (5-10g?) than the standard. they are slightly noisier than the standard ratchets (can be made to be more quiet by adding a bit more lubricant).

i like them. more POE is good for technical MTB sections where you are ratcheting the cranks. probably less an issue on the road.

there's not much downside.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:32 am
by Weenie

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DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:25 am
by JKolmo
I have it (for road use). To be honest I can't fell any real world difference at all.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:57 pm
by audiophilitis
tetonrider wrote:hi.

i've performed this upgrade on some MTB wheels. it is a trivial upgrade to perform. the 36T ratchets are also very slightly lighter (5-10g?) than the standard. they are slightly noisier than the standard ratchets (can be made to be more quiet by adding a bit more lubricant).

i like them. more POE is good for technical MTB sections where you are ratcheting the cranks. probably less an issue on the road.

there's not much downside.


Thanks for the feedback -- guess I'll give it a try.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:12 pm
by audiophilitis
JKolmo wrote:I have it (for road use). To be honest I can't fell any real world difference at all.


That's good to know -- thanks!

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:35 pm
by Geoff
It is definitely lighter. A perfect upgrade for LW's with DT innards.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:13 pm
by thisisatest
The 36t ratchets may have a bit more coasting drag. Haven't tested this with DT's star ratchet yet, but it's generally the case with conventional ratchet systems.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:39 pm
by audiophilitis
Geoff wrote:It is definitely lighter. A perfect upgrade for LW's with DT innards.


Do you know if they're lighter than the stock 18T disks on 190 hubs -- which are used for the LW Standard Cs and Obermayers? I recall reading an article that mentioned a weight savings for 240 hubs, but a very slight increase in weight compared to stock 18t disks used for the 190s.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:42 pm
by audiophilitis
thisisatest wrote:The 36t ratchets may have a bit more coasting drag. Haven't tested this with DT's star ratchet yet, but it's generally the case with conventional ratchet systems.


Hmmm...good to know -- thanks.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:46 pm
by corky
I changed to more teeth..... the only real world change I could detect was the freewheel buzz is more buzzier( technical term). Didn't really detect a decrease in take up time......

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:03 am
by audiophilitis
corky wrote:I changed to more teeth..... the only real world change I could detect was the freewheel buzz is more buzzier( technical term). Didn't really detect a decrease in take up time......



So I would assume more "frequent" clicks while coasting due to the twice-as-many teeth...albeit higher pitched?

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:17 pm
by Zen Cyclery
@audiophilitis- Not necessarily. Just because the points of engagement is increased does not mean that the tone would increase. It simply goes from a click, click, click to a bzzzzzzzz.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:58 pm
by tinozee
I've don this upgrade to a few hubs and can't feel it.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:38 am
by audiophilitis
Zen Cyclery wrote:@audiophilitis- Not necessarily. Just because the points of engagement is increased does not mean that the tone would increase. It simply goes from a click, click, click to a bzzzzzzzz.



Got it -- thanks!

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:36 pm
by jooo
The weight issue was that the 18 tooth ratchets were all solid AFAIK and that the 36 tooth ratchets were hollow. I saw on here recently that there are now hollow 18 tooth ratchets though so you may not get a weight saving by making the switch, depending on your model of hub/pre built wheel.

Re: DT Swiss Hub - 36 Step Star Rachet Upgrade

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:36 pm
by Weenie

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Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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