DT Swiss has launched its answer to pedal kickback with the arrival of Degrees of Freedom (DF) anti-pedal kickback system.
With DF allowing the freehub to rotate a specific range before engaging, the influence of the chain on the rear suspension is reduced, allowing the suspension to work freely. At launch, DT Swiss confirms the three selectable free rotation ranges as 0º, 10º, or 20º.
The system has been designed to give riders the freedom to find the right setup for different types of terrain or bikes – without using any tools. For riders looking to further optimise their bike kinematics, DF takes this a stage further.
DF overview
Compatibility – The DF technology is compatible with all Ratchet DEG-equipped hubs.
Simplicity – The DF Technology works without additional parts and requires no more maintenance than a classic Ratchet system.
Hybrid version – The DF technology is also available for eMTBs in Ratchet DEG Hybrid hubs with 0 or 10 degrees of freedom.
Simplified adjustability
DT Swiss, known for its ‘no-tool concept’ – as related to the brand’s freehub designs – has carried the ethos of this simplified approach over into its DF anti-pedal kickback device.
Critically, for existing DT Swiss owners, the DF device is retrofittable to all Ratchet DEG freehub systems. This is made possible as DF requires riders to do nothing more than “replace the hubs threaded ring and the two ratchets to enjoy three different degrees of freehub movement: 0º, 10º and 20º.” The brand also points to a product which is “lighter than other solutions”.
Simplified, how?
For a suspension system to absorb a succession of shocks and not pull on the chain, an additional movement is required that does not influence chain tension and can reset itself quickly.
To reset the DF system, we don’t need any additional components. It’s simply the rotation of the wheel during freewheeling and the drag from the pressure of the springs on the ratchets that forces the DF system backwards into reset or disengaged mode.
As soon as the chain is moved forward by pedalling or chain pull through the frame suspension design, the DF system can move forward a specific degree of freedom without transmitting force. It thus prevents pedal kickback caused by the frame suspension design.
At 0º, the high-engaging hub functions per usual. When adjusted to your preferred degrees of freedom, and as long as the system is freewheeling, it will be able to act as an anti-pedal kickback device.
World Cup mechanic insights
Speaking about the DF system, Patrick Eckl of YT MO comments: “So far, it’s been amazing – the whole team is loving it. What really stands out is the simplicity and how fast you can change the engagement from one degree to another.
I still remember our first test session when the engineer showed us how it works – we were all blown away by how easy it is. No issues at all so far.
Swapping it is quick: the right tool, unscrew the lock ring, drop in the new parts, grease, and you’re ready to go. If I feel like starting with 10 degrees instead of 20, I can literally pull the wheel, twist the freehub, and have it back together in under two minutes. That’s pretty cool.”
UK availability
At launch, DT Swiss DF upgrade kits are available from UK distributor, Madison.
