DT Swiss 240 EXP Hubs

What the DT Swiss 240 EXP hub is

A hub is the centre of the wheel — the unit the axle turns inside and the spokes lace into. DT Swiss is a Swiss manufacturer, and the 240 series is its flagship hub: light, reliable and serviceable. The EXP suffix marks the newer generation of its Ratchet mechanism.

How the Ratchet EXP system works

The freehub is the mechanism that lets the pedals stay still while the wheel keeps spinning. Most manufacturers use pawls — small spring-loaded teeth that catch. DT Swiss does it differently: two toothed rings press against each other around their whole circumference, so load is spread over dozens of teeth instead of three pawls.

In Ratchet EXP only one ring moves, the spring is built into the structure, and there are fewer parts — which means better axle support and fewer points of failure. DT Swiss offers the rings in 36 teeth (about 10° per engagement) and 54 teeth (about 6.7°, quicker pick-up out of the saddle).

One practical advantage matters a lot: the ratchet can be stripped by hand, with no special tools — pull the freehub body off, clean, grease, reassemble. It is a large part of why mechanics like this hub.

Which FFWD wheels offer DT Swiss 240

DT240 EXP is a hub option chosen at order time on ten wheelsets. Their weights in DT240 configuration, as published by FFWD:

Browse the ranges: RYOT wheels · DRIFT wheels · gravel & off-road · road

Freehub body compatibility

The freehub body carries the cassette and must match your drivetrain. On FFWD wheels with DT240 you can order:

• SHIMANO HG — Shimano's common road standard (11-speed and below)
• SRAM XDR — SRAM's 12-speed road standard
• SRAM XD — SRAM's off-road standard
• Shimano Micro Spline — Shimano's 12-speed off-road standard
• Campagnolo — the classic Campagnolo standard
• Campagnolo N3W — Campagnolo's newer standard, including 13-speed
• BOOST — wider 148 mm hub spacing for modern off-road bikes, on the off-road models

Not sure which you need? The compatibility guide covers brakes, axles, rotors and tyres, or send us your bike details before ordering.

DT Swiss 240 vs DT Swiss 350

Both hubs share the same ratchet idea and the same reliability. The difference is weight and component quality: the 350 is heavier and better value, the 240 is lighter with more precise parts. In our catalogue, FFWD DISC and DISC DB ship with the DT Swiss 350, while the 240 is the option on the RYOT, DRIFT and OUTLAW ranges.

When DT240 is the right choice

If you race, climb a lot, or simply want the lightest set available, the weight difference shows up exactly there. If what you actually care about is minimum rolling friction rather than grams, the right direction is CeramicSpeed bearings, fitted to the RAW and FALCON RS ranges.

Not sure which set suits you? Our wheel-matching questionnaire walks through riding type, frame and drivetrain and suggests a match.

Maintenance

The ratchet needs a specific, thin grease (DT Swiss Special Grease), not thick bearing grease — grease that is too heavy can stick the rings together and cause slipping. Pressure-washing straight at the hub is the reliable way to force water into the bearings. In normal use, cleaning and re-greasing the ratchet once a year is a sensible starting point; for off-road or winter riding, more often.

Frequently asked questions

Can an existing hub be upgraded to DT240?
The hub is part of how the wheel is built, so it is chosen at order time. Swapping later means rebuilding the wheel — possible, but rarely worth it.

What changed between EXP and the older ratchet?
In the classic ratchet both rings move, each with its own spring. In EXP one ring moves, the spring is integrated, and the axle is better supported.

Is the DT240 quiet or loud?
A ratchet hub makes a characteristic buzz when freewheeling. 54 teeth are louder than 36.

Can the freehub body be changed later?
Yes. That is one of the system's advantages — the freehub body pulls off by hand, so moving from Shimano to SRAM XDR, for example, does not require a new wheel.