Gravel and aero? DT Swiss are right on trend, following the push for high-speed, race-ready gravel bikes. With the GRC 1100 DICUT 50, the Swiss wheel specialist goes all-in on aerodynamics. But is that enough to conquer the gravel throne? And how did the wheelset perform in our intensive test sessions, which also included some racing?
DT Swiss are renowned for their wheel innovations and couldn’t be missing in the gravel scene. The Swiss brand is a cornerstone for reliable, high-performance bike components, though its gravel line-up is rather sparse – until now! With the latest GRC models, DT Swiss are diving headfirst into the rapidly growing, ever-evolving gravel market. Today’s gravel scene isn’t just about adventure, and racing has become a staple in every gravel conversation too. To match this shift, DT Swiss offers the GRC 1100 DICUT as a high-end model with 50 mm deep rims and ceramic bearings – and just one look promises it’s ready for any gravel race. But does it deliver? After hundreds of racing kilometres and nearly five months of relentless testing, we’re here to reveal what sets DT’s gravel wheels apart from the competition.
DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheels – Why gravel needs to go aero!
Gravel riding is no longer just about adventure and drop bars off the beaten path. Racing is now firmly rooted in the gravel scene, and in all its forms. It’s not just amateur riders fighting for seconds. Instead, the sport has gained a strong foothold at the professional level. With marquee events like Unbound, The Traka, and the UCI Gravel World Championships, the drive for efficiency in gravel is rising. Unlike road racing, gravel and triathlon races are still relatively unregulated, allowing for innovation and unique designs like the 2024 Unbound race bike from Chase Warks, complete with aero fairings and suspension.
There’s also a push towards faster race formats, which drags road racers and tech-savvy mountain bikers to the starting line – a shift that’s left the original “spirit of gravel” in the dust. Now, it’s all about fighting for seconds, with efficiency and aerodynamics taking the spotlight at speeds over 40 km/h. This shift marks the end of narrow road wheels on gravel bikes; today’s gravel racers demand specialised equipment. Although road rims served well for years, they simply don’t provide enough room for wider gravel tires. That’s where DT Swiss come in with the GRC 50, which is designed to bring efficiency and aerodynamics to the forefront of gravel racing.
Swiss Aero Approach – DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50
For the development of the GRC wheels, DT Swiss drew on an impressive depth of expertise: not only did they use their extensive in-house knowledge, but also relied on the aero expertise from long-time partners Swiss Side. Given the unique demands of the gravel segment, all this combined knowledge was essential for perfecting the wheels’ design. Speeds in gravel racing are generally lower than on the road, and the wider, grippy tires with aggressive tread patterns introduce unique challenges. Add to that the significant variations between different tire models, and the usual aero approach of “narrow and smooth” goes right out the window.
To counteract these challenges and optimise rim-to-tire integration, DT Swiss developed the GRC wheelset specifically around the Schwalbe G-One RS. Not only is this one of the fastest gravel tires available on the market, but also impresses with mind-boggling grip and cornering performance, which makes it an excellent choice for competitive racers. In our extensive gravel tire comparison test, we were already convinced by the strong performance of Schwalbe’s tires.
A tire width of 40c to 45c has emerged as the “go-to” for many racers, and DT Swiss follow suit with 40 mm tires for optimal aero performance on fast gravel tracks. The rims were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel at an atypical speed of 37.5 km/h – though for gravel racing, this is quite realistic. At Unbound 200, the legendary 200-mile gravel race, the winner’s average speed was just over 35 km/h over a gruelling 325 km course!
The result of this development is an extraordinary rim with 24 mm internal width and 36.5 mm overall width – dimensions that almost harken back to mountain bike wheels from a few years ago. But just as the 50 mm depth brings pure aero to gravel, wide rims are also proving essential in the emerging aero-gravel scene. Other wheels like the ROSE GC50 and HUNT 42 LIMITLESS rely on similar dimensions, but the shape of DT Swiss’s rims is truly unique. Rather than sticking with the classic rounded aero profile, DT Swiss added an innovative twist in the lower third of the rim, tapering it sharply towards the tire – a striking design we haven’t seen before, aimed at enhancing aerodynamics. Staying true to DT Swiss’s position in the ongoing hookless debate, these rims feature “hooked” beads, which boost safety and versatility, while remaining fully tubeless-ready.
According to DT Swiss, this combination doesn’t just make for one of the fastest gravel wheelsets out there, but also reduces steering torque in crosswinds. In other words, it’s built for tackling gravel rides with crosswind thrills.
The DT Swiss GRC wheelset in detail
As expected from DT Swiss, the GRC wheelset is available in different variants. The GRC 1100 DICUT flagship model features premium 180 hubs, fast Aerolite spokes, and smooth-rolling SINC ceramic bearings. With its deep 50 mm rims, it’s designed to maximise aerodynamics for gravel racing. Weighing in at 1,606 g and priced at € 2,499.80, these wheels sit squarely in the high-end segment, alongside competitors like the ROSE GC50 and HUNT 42 LIMITLESS.
If you want to spend a little less, you can get the 1400 DICUT version for around € 450 less. This relies on DT Swiss 240 hubs and the slightly heavier, less aerodynamic Aero Comp spokes. They might not have ceramic bearings but still deliver a solid performance at a lower price.
Both models are also available in an Adventure version, with 30 mm deep and 31 mm wide rims. The 1100 DICUT 30 is around 217 g lighter than the 50 mm version, which makes it a good choice for race events in hilly terrain. For race formats like the Octopus Gravel Race, the bikes benefit from a lighter system weight.
DT Swiss also gave their latest gravel wheelset a fresh new look. Thanks to a new “out of the mould” manufacturing process, the rims are delivered without any post-processing. New chrome decals round off the clean, modern look.
The DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheelset on review
On paper, the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheelset looks like a winning choice – but how does it perform in the real world? In this test, we put the wheels through the wringer, including a race debut at the UCI Gravel Race in Denmark under very tough conditions. Sand, mud, singletrack, and gravel roads made for a course that wasn’t only technically demanding but also blisteringly fast. So, were the GRC 1100 wheels up to the challenge?
With the recommended Schwalbe G-One R and RS tires in 40 mm, we lined up at the start. It quickly became clear that DT Swiss had done an outstanding job. Despite the higher weight, the GRC wheels accelerate efficiently and quickly, eagerly holding their speed once you get there. Thanks to their stiff construction, they carve through corners with impressive composure ensuring precise control even on singletracks. This remarkable smoothness enhances the sense of control, making this wheelset the ideal partner for fast-paced racing and fighting for position in the pack.
What’s surprising is their agility at lower speeds: even on rough, technical climbs, the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheelset handles with great confidence. True to the racing ethos, it also excels in compliance. The wheels do a good job of absorbing vibrations, but their urge for speed is unmistakable. They’re perfect for mid-distance gravel races, though perhaps a bit too firm for ultra-endurance events over 1,000 km, where extra comfort becomes essential.
Tuning Tip: For the ultimate racing setup, pair a Schwalbe G-One R at the front with a G-One RS at the rear.
On routes with plenty of altitude gain, the wheelset reveals a minor weakness. Despite the competitive weight, the nearly 1,600 grams, combined with wide gravel tires and a tubeless setup, become noticeable on climbs. Especially when accelerating out of tight, steep corners, the wheelset demands slightly more pedal power. However, on rigid gravel bikes, wheels must endure plenty of stress, so a bit of additional weight is a worthwhile trade-off for durability and improved damping.
We thoroughly tested the wheels’ proclaimed excellent crosswind handling in Sweden’s stormy south. While they’re somewhat more stable than you’d expect from a 50 mm rim, it’s not a groundbreaking change. In gusty conditions, a steady hand on the bars is still essential. But what truly impresses is the wheelset’s design: while delivering pure speed and dependable handling, the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 offers everything you’d expect from a top road wheelset. The real magic? It does all this on gravel!
Who are the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheels for?
DT Swiss make a clear statement with the GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheelset: “Gravel Racing” is their game – and rightly so. For gravel enthusiasts with a need for speed, both racers and not, the deep 50 mm GRC wheelset offers efficient, fast performance with the feel of a road wheel, yet with gravel-adequate compliance and impressive stiffness. It’s perfect for roadies who want a quick gravel bike in the stable. But it’s not just gravel racers who benefit from DT Swiss’ and Swiss Side’s engineering; even the more laid-back gravel rider will experience a noticeable performance boost with the GRC 1100s.
Conclusions about the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheelset
DT Swiss and Swiss Side are synonymous with quality, durability, and performance. The DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheelset embodies a perfect blend of road-bike efficiency and handling, combined with gravel-ready compliance and excellent stiffness – a balance that’s nearly an art form in the gravel world. With this wheelset, DT Swiss have successfully brought one of the best gravel racing wheels to date onto the market.
Tops
- Perfect symbiosis of road performance and gravel compliance
- clean look with sleek, glossy branding
Flops
- White decals are reserved for the pros – DT Swiss stick to their guns!
For more information, visit dtswiss.com
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Words & Photos: Calvin Zajac
