DT Swiss Issues Expansive Product Recall, Includes ARC and ERC Series Wheels

Component manufacturer DT Swiss today launched a massive product recall on some of its most popular wheel sets, with thousands of users potentially impacted.

The recall covers carbon wheels manufactured at DT Swiss facilities in Vietnam and delivered to customers or retailers from August 1, 2024. These wheels were included as OEM-spec for road and triathlon bicycles from a variety of brands, including but not limited to Argon18, BMC, and Canyon.

DT Swiss had issued a stop-ride and stop-sale notice earlier this month as it investigated claims of rim failure on select model rims. It had also directly contacted brands that use DT Swiss for OEM spec wheels; brands we spoke with said that DT Swiss had been extremely proactive in communicating the number of wheels impacted and working on solutions.

According to DT Swiss, during its investigation, delamination of the outer rim and flange could occur spontaneously. As such, the shift in force load can weaken the rim bed to the point that catastrophic failure could occur during normal use. The conclusion: “the product defect described increases the risk of an accident that could result in property damage, serious injury or death.“

Wheel showing the rim bed (1), flange (2), and outer rim (3), and potential failure point. Image courtesy of DT Swiss.

Wheels covered by the recall are the following models and rim depths:

• ARC 1100, 1400, 1600 DICUT 50 / 55 / 65
• ARC 1600 SPLINE 50 / 55 / 65
• ERC 1100, 1400, 1600 DICUT 35 / 45
• ERC 1600 SPLINE 35 / 45
• ERC LOG CLASSIC 45
• CRC 1100 DICUT 45
• CRC 1400, 1600 SPLINE 35 / 45
• HEC 1400 SPLINE 45

Notably, ARC wheels with depths of 38, 62, 80, or 85 millimeters are not covered by the recall, nor are any wheels that were manufactured at DT Swiss’ Poland facility.

Bicycles that included these wheels as part of their stock builds include the following models.

Bicycles with ERC, CRC, or HEC wheelsets:

Bicycles with ARC wheelsets:

Wheels subject to the recall will have DT Swiss ID numbers starting with 2740000 or higher. Owners of DT Swiss wheels can find their ID number via a sticker, located in three potential locations: between the spokes on the outer rim; on the rim tape of the wheel; or on the rim bed itself. If this sticker is no longer available, riders can send DT Swiss the rim series serial number, to be checked against the master list of recalled wheels. Riders then can input their DT Swiss ID number into this portal to determine whether their wheel is recalled.

Riders who are confirmed to be impacted will be provided a link to order shipping boxes for their wheels. Wheels will be packed and shipped individually. If riders have multiple wheel sets impacted, they must register each time. Wheels are to be shipped without tires, disc brakes, or cassettes. Once received by DT Swiss, the company targets a 20 business day turnaround during the initial six weeks of the recall, with a stated goal of reducing turnaround time to under 10 business days.

Wheels will be tested by DT Swiss for safety. According to the company, only wheels that test above an internal company requirement which “exceed the specifications of the relevant industry standard (ISO 4210 series)” will be deemed as safe and returned to the customer. If a wheel is found to be defective, DT Swiss will contact the registered owner for a proposed wheel replacement.

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