DT Swiss has a history of developing high-performance ratchet mountain bike hubs, and their new DT Swiss 240 DEG is no exception. From the exterior, the 240 DEG is almost identical to the 240 EXP, except for its slightly larger hub shell and flanges. The internally revised 90 tooth ratchets and the increased engagement sets the 240 DEG apart from other hubs in DT Swiss's lineup, poising it to be their most responsive all-mountain hub to date.

Specs

• Intended use: Trail, enduro, and downhill
• 90T Ratchet
• 4 Degrees Engagement 
• Weight: 270g 

 Differences Between the 240 DEG and 240 EXP 

Increase to 90 Tooth Ratchet

While the 240 DEG initially appears identical to the 240 EXP, a closer look reveals its design updates. The 240 DEG boasts a slightly  larger hub shell, and upon removing the driver, you'll notice the internal differences. Inside, two large-diameter ratchets supply 90 simultaneous points of engagement. With the increase to 90T from either the 54T or 36T ratchet options for the 240 EXP, the 90T ratchet provides a large surface area ensuring a more even distribution of pedaling forces. This new design translates to increased reliability, especially for demanding and heavier riders. 

Quicker Engagement 

Engagement is one of those hot buzzwords in the cycling industry, with manufacturers trying to one-up each other for the most instantaneously engaging hub possible. DT Swiss has long taken a stance that outright instant engagement should not be the sole objective when designing the ideal mountain bike hub, as it has to work in conjunction with the bike as a whole to provide the ideal engagement while still allowing enough “float” to minimize the adverse effects of pedal kickback. (DT Swiss has a fantastic in-depth analysis of pedal kickback and how the angle of engagement in a hub can play a role in minimizing these unwanted drivetrain forces here.)

The DT Swiss DEG 240 provides 4 degrees of engagement compared to the 10 degrees of the 36T ratchet and 6.6 degrees of the 54T ratchet. The 4 degrees of engagement the 240 DEG delivers makes it DT Swiss’s most responsive all-mountain hub. For riders familiar with the riding experience the other 240 EXP hub variants provide, the 240 DEG will transfer power to the pedals quicker with a newfound responsiveness over the 54T. 

Improved Serviceability 

The 240 DEG sets itself apart with its improved serviceability. Instead of a single spring engaging from the driver side, the 240 DEG utilizes a dual spring design previously seen on other DT Swiss models. With the bearing no longer sitting on the inside the threaded non-drive side ratchet, service and bearing replacements are now much simpler. This is a feature our mechanics were thrilled about when they first popped the driver off.

First Ride Impressions // DT Swiss 240 DEG Review

With only a handful of rides aboard a 240 DEG laced to an EX 511 rim, my initial impressions are resoundingly positive. The transfer of power into the hub is seamless when pedaling and is nearly indistinguishable on the trail from other manufacturers that boast of their “instant” engagement. The performance descending has been fantastic, and whether actually present or not, any increase in pedal kickback hasn’t hindered my ability to hurl myself downhill faster than my mom would care to know of. As of now, the 240 DEG hub is completely issue-free, with a long-term review in the coming months to report on durability after proper testing.