Building on a legacy of ratchet freehubs, DT Swiss introduces the new 240 DEG, boasting enhanced engagement and sturdier internals. Externally, it closely resembles the 240 EXP, except for a slightly larger hub shell and flanges. The fundamental distinction lies in its all-new internals, featuring a larger 90-tooth ratchet and an impressive 4-degree engagement, setting it apart from other models in the DT Swiss lineup. 

240 DEG Hub Specs

Intended Use: Trail, Enduro, and Downhill

Engagement: 90 Teeth / 4 degrees 

Freehub: Shimano MicroSpline or SRAM XD

Brake Mount: 6-Bolt

Weight: 270g 

Price: $465.90 

Overview

The 240 DEG features a larger 90-tooth ratchet compared to the 36T and 54T options of the 240 EXP, offering 90 points of engagement. This increase in teeth provides a broader surface area, which helps distribute pedaling forces more evenly, enhancing reliability for demanding riders. Externally, the 240 DEG resembles the 240 EXP, except for a slightly larger hub shell. The new design caters to those seeking a robust and responsive hub with improved load management.

In terms of engagement, the 240 DEG outperforms its predecessors with a rapid 4-degree engagement, compared to the 10 degrees of the 36T ratchet and 6.6 degrees of the 54T ratchet in the 240 EXP. This makes the 240 DEG DT Swiss’s most responsive all-mountain hub.

Riding Impressions

Since my initial article on the 240 DEG, I have become sufficiently acquainted with the hub over a variety of Pacific Northwest terrain in conditions ranging from complete downpours to concerningly early summer-like dust. My initial impression of the 240 DEG has held true. Its increased 90-tooth ratchet provides a noticeable increase in engagement and more instantaneous transfer of power and is on par with other high-engagement hubs on the market. 

The 4-degree engagement of the 240 DEG is most noticeable with initial pedal strokes out of the gate, delivering that all-important driving force to propel the bike and rider forward. Unlike hubs with lesser engagement, there is no perceivable “dead space” in the pedal stroke before power is transferred to the drivetrain. This limited delay is very noticeable on technical sections of climbing trails, especially when I was out of the saddle ratcheting the cranks to work my way over awkward roots and rocks. While I can still get over the same obstacles on a 36-tooth ratchet-equipped hub, I found that the increased engagement the 90-tooth ratchet provided made those awkward maneuvers more precise. 

When pointed downhill, the 240 DEG delivered the same DT Swiss ride quality we’ve become accustomed to, albeit with a touch louder hub noise thanks to the increased 90-tooth ratchet. Riders wanting to hear their tires on the trail more than their hub may need to look elsewhere, as I’d firmly place the 240 DEG in the “swarm of bees” hub sound category. 

While the DEG’s 4-degree engagement provides a more responsive hub, higher engagement means increased forces through the drivetrain when descending, most notably in the sensation of pedal kickback. DT Swiss has a fantastic, in-depth article describing pedal kickback and its relation to engagement angle here.

Generally, a hub’s degree of engagement plays a role in how far a freehub can counter rotate in response to the force being transferred into a bike’s drivetrain as its suspension compresses. While the sensation of pedal kickback is dependent on a variety of other variables such as a frame’s kinematics and speed, theoretically in a system with zero points of engagements a freehub body would be able to rotate freely as needed without pedal kickback occurring. Conversely, a hub with as many points of engagement as possible would result in a higher amount of pedal kickback. 

The 4-degree engagement angle of the DEG ratchet was a deliberate design choice to strike a balance between a high-engaging hub without negatively effecting the perceived pedal kickback when descending. On the trail, this translates to a hub that allows riders to quickly deliver power to the drivetrain, especially out of turns or on quick uphill punches. Any increase in feedback through the pedals descending was negligible compared to the sensation I’m accustomed to with the 8-degree engagement of Hope Pro 4 hubs. The 240 DEG hubs performed well on even the roughest downhill terrain, and the ability to quickly grab a pedal stroke without any lag in the hub was noticeable compared to a 10-degree 36-tooth ratchet.

Durability / Maintenance 

The 240 DEG enhances serviceability by incorporating a dual spring design and repositioning the bearing outside the non-drive side ratchet, simplifying maintenance and bearing replacements. These improvements make the 240 DEG more efficient and easier to service, much to the delight of our mechanics here at Fanatik. I haven’t found any need for maintenance as the 240 DEG has held up remarkably regardless of the variable conditions I have subjected them to. When the time comes, a quick bearing replacement and regreasing the ratchets should be straightforward. 

Verdict

The 240 DEG has proved itself as a fantastic option for riders who are looking for a high engagement hub while maintaining DT Swiss’s proven ratchet design. The larger 90-tooth ratchet delivers a high level of engagement without negatively impacting descending performance or showing any durability issues over our testing period. When routine maintenance does come around, the 240 DEG is easily serviable keeping riders out on trial instead of searching for run-away pawl springs on their garage floor. The 240 DEG is an excellent option for riders wanting DT Swiss’s ratchet design while maintaining the highest level of engagement possible within their ineup.