Forum Testing: DT Swiss Wheels

At NSMB we put a lot of time and effort into our testing methods and the tests themselves. We aim to present balanced, thoughtful opinions, and try to eliminate bias in order to deliver valuable insight to the reader.

With that said, from time to time we have the chance to give the community members here at NSMB a shot at participating in product testing. We will be routinely partnering with companies to put their products directly into your hands for review, so if you’re not chosen this time, don’t be discouraged – there will be more opportunities to participate in NSMB forum testing in the future.

If selected, DT Swiss will send a pair of these beauties to you. Over the course of two months you will ride the crap out of them – and report back on your thoughts. Fun is encouraged.

How will this work? Products available for forum testing are announced in advance on the main page and in a thread on the NSMB forum. Applications for testing will be made in that thread. Product will be sent to the chosen testers, who will be expected to update the test thread regularly with their thoughts in writing, photos, and/or video. You will be expected to field questions from other posters in the thread and compare thoughts with other testers. The goal is not one long review from each reviewer, but a series of shorter thoughts – the testing is meant to be ongoing and interactive.

Who’s up? We have teamed up with DT Swiss wheels for this forum test project. Their E 1700 Spline Two wheelset is aimed squarely at AM/Enduro riding and features lots of technology and a competitive weight at a price that won’t affect your grandkid’s college fund.

How do I apply to be a tester? Applications can be made in this thread on the bulletin board – just follow the instructions once you’re there. If you’re not already a BB member, go ahead and sign up for a new account (it’s easy). Take note that this wheelset is available in 27.5″ or 29″, so in order to apply you must have a bike you can put those wheels on, as well as the ability to ride regularly and update the forum thread with your thoughts, photos, videos, and answer questions from readers.

At the end of the testing period, the forum will vote on the best/most useful reviewer. The winner of that vote will get to keep their wheelset.

Application deadline is midnight (PDT) on Sunday, June 14th. We’ll pick three testers and contact them to arrange wheel delivery. There is no geographical restriction so feel free to apply no matter where you’re from.

The DT Swiss E 1700 Spline 2 that are to be tested by the lucky selected forum members are a lower-priced version of the E 1501 Spline 1 that Greg Callaghan raced on to victory last weekend in EWS #2 in Ireland.

Background info on the E 1700 Spline Two Wheels straight from DT Swiss:

Enduro is highly demanding on riders and their equipment. Low weight is key for relaxed uphills and all out climbs within a stage while maximum stiffness is needed to precisely navigate rock gardens as is tubeless readyness for maximum grip at all times. The E 1700 SPLINE® offers all that in a visually attractive package and leaves you with enough money to pay for some more shuttles.
Weight per set: 1840 g
Retail pricing: $848.00 USD / $1054.00 CAD

You can find out all about the DT Swiss E 1700 Spline Two wheels here.

Interested in helping put the “peer review” in gear review? Join the conversation here, and let us know if you have any questions!