Performance test center

STEp inside

Through many years of experience, DT Swiss has gained extensive testing know-how. Laboratory tests are conducted to replicate as closely as possible what our products will have to endure once in the field and throughout the entire product life cycle.

The testing facilities reflect cutting edge technologies and are the key to ensuring safety, reliability and outstanding product performance. The applied test methods and parameters vary depending on the intended use case and its respective maximum system weight, the ASTM F 2043 riding conditions and other relevant characteristics. All test methods, parameters and requirements are specified in our internal factory standard. This standard ensures compliance with the current international standards (e.g. ISO 4210) and defines running requirements to achieve outstanding product performance. In addition to the laboratory tests, numerous in-field tests are conducted to proof the products under real world conditions.

Get insight into some of the test methods across our product range!

WHEEL IMPACT TEST

The purpose of this test is to verify the impact resistance of the wheel and its components by reproducing local wheel impacts. Such impacts are caused when rolling over obstacles such as potholes, roots or stones. Local buckling of the rim, spoke tension and run-out are thereby precisely monitored. The tests are conducted with and without tires, using different striker geometries and with a force of impact determined by the intended use of the wheel.

DRUM TEST

This test method simulates operating loads over the entire product lifetime and therefore focuses on durability. The wheel is vertically loaded with a weight which is chosen according to the maximum permissible system weight. While the wheel is spinning on the steel drum, impacts are continuously induced by the obstacles on the drum. Obstacle geometry, mileage, tire and tire pressure are specified by the intended use of the tested wheel.

LATERAL WHEEL STIFFNESS

The lateral wheel stiffness is measured to ensure that the wheel feels neither too soft nor too stiff when riding. Furthermore, permanent deformation after lateral loading must not occur.

The wheel is clamped in a rigid fixture and a lateral load is induced on the rim sidewall, whereby the lateral deflection of the wheel is measured.

DISC BRAKE AND DRIVE TORQUE TEST

These tests are used to reproduce torsional loads that occur during braking and accelerating. This allows us to verify the torsional wheel strength as well as the freewheel functionality and durability.

Different test methods are used where the wheel is either fixed against rotation or driven with a constant wheel speed, while cyclic brake and drive torques are applied to the hub.

SPOKE TENSILE TEST

During wheel building, each spoke is pretensioned. During riding, the spokes are additionally loaded and unloaded during every wheel revolution which leads to fatigue behavior.

Spoke testing replicates what a bicycle spoke in a spinning wheel faces.

High spoke quality and durability are ensured by testing the mechanical properties of the spoke, using static tensile and fatigue test methods.

BURST PRESSURE TEST

This test ensures that the tire remains securely on the rim and will not blow off. It also ensures that the rim side walls resist the forces caused by the pressurized tire.

During the test, a tire is inflated up to a certain pressure level which is specified based on the intended use of the wheel and the mounted tire.

FORK AND SHOCK DURABILITY TEST

During riding, forks and shocks face continuous loading and motion with different speeds and accelerations that cause friction and thermal stresses.

In order to validate stable and durable performance and resistance against wear, the products run through specific test programs based on real world data.

IN-FIELD MEASUREMENTS

Recording real world data helps to continuously further develop the laboratory tests. Specific sensors were developed to measure different parameters such as accurate wheel speed, wheel forces, fork and shock travel, etc. during riding.