The DT Swiss FR 1500 wheel replaces the outgoing FR 1950 with a rim that adds material around the bead hook and flange, the point where rocks and hard landings usually cause a pinch flat. That change cuts pinch-flat risk by 17 percent. The front wheel drops to 28 spokes to shed weight and change direction faster through chatter and off-camber turns, while the rear holds 32 spokes to stay stiff under load. What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I run these on the gnarliest lines I ride and they shrug off casing hits without complaint. The rim damps the impact instead of sending it straight into my hands, so I keep pushing into rock gardens I used to roll around."