Camilo

I'm putting together a Sram Force AXS ETap group. I know that the 12 speed AXS cassette I'm going to use (10-36) uses an XDR freehub. I'm looking at a set of wheels with DT Swiss 350 hubs that are available and would suit my needs well. The rear is 12x142 thru axle with centerlock disc, which is what I need.

But they have an XD freehub. I know that the XDR is a little longer than XD, it is the same dimension as the Shimano/Sram 11 speed freehub while the XD is the same dimension as the Shimano/Sram 8/9/10 speed freehub. I know that if the freehub was Shimano 11 speed it would likely be simple swap.

It's a brand new wheel, a takeoff being sold.

So my question is- will converting the XD freehub to XDR be feasible? Any chance it will be a straight swap? If it's more complicated than that, would it be more than a (relatively) simple re-dish?

​​​​​I can't seem to find the answer at the DT Swiss site, and don't know who actually built the wheel (it's not a DT Swiss wheel).
I've been looking around the web and can't seem to find a clear answer. There's a lot of answers to converting from Shimano 11 speed to XDR, etc, but not this.

I appreciate any advice!

chaadster

If DT offer an XDR driver for your hub configuration, it’ll be a simple swap. The 12speed uses the same space as 11spd, so no re-dishing is required.

Camilo

But the XD hub is based on 8/9/10 speed, not 11. I know that if it was an 11 speed hub it would likely be a simple swap. But I'm not sure about this case since it's not.

chaadster

sorry, I mean if the hub spacing is correct for your frame, there is no dishing change required, and XD, Shimano 11, or XDR will all fit.

Badger6

Yes, it is is feasible, and easily achieved. DT Swiss wheels use endocarps end caps to achieve the spacing...or to convert a wheel from QR to TA. Swapping is as simple as pulling off the installed freehub and pushing the new one back on using the supplied endocarps to keep the hub at the proper spacing. No tools required...just make sure when you pull it you don't lose the springs that engage the ratchets. This search at Jenson turns up the DT Swiss free hubs they sell, click on the XDR and select "12x142/148 End Caps" on the product page.

Camilo

Thanks for that explanation Badger6. I suspected as such, but just couldn't find definitive info like what you just provided. After reading your post, I contacted the guy I'm buying the wheels from just to pick his brain too, and he actually said - "Oh sure, no bid deal... I'll go ahead and install an XDR body before sending them to you." So all is good.

In the mean time, I had been, as is my style, spending a lot of time searching for info, looking at videos, etc. on swapping freehub bodies in the third decade of the 21st Century, since my bike knowledge is limited to Shimano/Sram in the 8/9/10 speed mechanical era peaking in about 2010.

It's dead simple, as you say, in most (all?) cases. What confused me a little was - as I mentioned - all I could find about the difference between XD and XDR was that the XD was based on the 8/9/10 speed spacing, and a little less than 2 mm shorter than the XDR which is based on 11 speed spacing. I couldn't find a single direct explanation of converting an XD hub to XDR. Lots, and lots, and lots of Shimano 11- XDR and vice versa. I saw, but really didn't understand, that hubs have an endcap that you mentioned, but it was never made clear to me that the end cap could be the key. I did read a couple of threads in online forums where people were saying that the wheel might require re-dishing, but the amount was almost trivial and might not even be functional issue if not done.

As for DT Swiss, they have quite a confusing (to me) algorithm for conversions that mentions various forms of the 350 hub, various ratchet options, etc that I didn't understand. Since I didn't have the hub in hand, I couldn't really work my way through it confidently. Anyway, it just wasn't clear to me. It turns out - as you point out - that the wheelset I'm buying was offered with several hub options and therefore is swappable and he is just going to send it with an XDR driver.

This new build (Sram AXS Etap Hydraulic disc) is new stuff to me on several levels. But as I pick my way through this new stuff, it's not a big deal, just a need to learn new things and hopefully reduce my luddite-curmudgeon quotient..

Badger6

I'm glad you figured out I meant end caps....dang typos!

As for the DT Swiss compatibility...I remember being equally baffled by it all. But, having been a user of DT Swiss wheels for several years now, I appreciate the simplicity of the system they've created both for pawl-type freehubs and their ratchets. Another thing to consider, if you the wheels come with the 18T ratchet (20° engagement), I strongly recommend upgrading to the 36T (10° engagement). You'll see all kinds of chatter about drag and such, but in the real world (rolling down the road, not up on a stand) you won't notice it, especially if you're prone to pedaling (meaning the ratchets are engaged, not turning over each other). The quicker engagement is louder on coasting, but it also means the free hub engages faster when you push the pedals. There is a 54T option, but it's unnecessary on the road...on a MTB, though....