DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline vs Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S: Which One Wins?

DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline and Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S are two of the wheelsets that riders most often weigh against each other when choosing an alloy enduro wheelset. They overlap on paper, but the details that separate them show up in price, weight, setup and long-term ownership. This comparison uses the specifications and ratings recorded in the Gear Matrix database.

At a glance DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline (DT Swiss): £896, 1.95 kg, rated 4.7, compatibility Boost 148/110, 30mm internal. Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S (Industry Nine): £1,494, 1.75 kg, rated 4.8, compatibility Boost, 30mm internal.

Price and weight DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline costs £598 less than Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S, and is 0.20 kg heavier.

Where DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline stands out DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline leans on Star Ratchet hubs, 30mm internal, durable alloy. It is aimed at enduro riding. The trade-off to weigh: heavier than carbon.

Where Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S stands out Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S leans on Hydra hubs, fast engagement, strong rims. It is aimed at enduro riding. The trade-off to weigh: hubs are loud.

Fitment and setup Rim width, spoke count, hub engagement and rim layup together decide how a wheelset tracks, how quickly it accelerates and how it copes with repeated rock strikes. Confirm the axle standard (Boost 148/110), driver body, brake-rotor interface and internal rim width against your tyres, and check spoke tension after the first few rides. In this pairing, DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline lists Boost 148/110, 30mm internal, while Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S lists Boost, 30mm internal; confirm which matches your bike before buying.

Alloy versus carbon Carbon rims are lighter and can be tuned for stiffness and compliance, but they cost more and can be expensive to repair after an impact. Alloy rims are tougher and cheaper. Decide how hard you ride and how much you want to spend.

Spokes, lacing and repairability Spoke count and lacing affect stiffness and strength, and the availability of replacement spokes and rims affects how easy a wheel is to repair. Ask how easily a shop can service DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline or Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S and what spares are available.

Warranty and crash replacement Check the warranty period and any crash-replacement programme. A generous policy can reduce the cost of ownership considerably, particularly for carbon wheels that see heavy use.

Axle and brake standards Make sure the wheels match your frame and fork axle standard, and your brake rotor interface (centre-lock or six-bolt). Adapters are available, but a direct match is simpler and often lighter.

Rim width and tyre pairing Rim width changes tyre profile, grip and the pressure you can run. Check the internal width of the wheels and the tyre sizes they are designed for before choosing DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline or Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S. A good pairing improves traction and reduces the risk of rim strikes.

Verdict Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S edges ahead on rating (4.8 against 4.7), but the gap is small and DT Swiss EX 1700 Spline may still be the better buy if its price, compatibility or strengths suit you.

Also consider

• ENVE M630 (ENVE): £2,017, rated 4.9. Premium carbon wheels with great stiffness.
• ENVE M930 (ENVE): £2,166, rated 4.9. Enduro-ready ENVE carbon wheels.
• DT Swiss HXC 1501 Spline One (DT Swiss): £1,307, rated 4.8. Carbon hybrid e-MTB wheelset rated for high torque and aggressive downhill abuse.