DT Swiss DF (Degrees of Freedom) is the Swiss brand's answer to pedal kickback — the tug you feel through the cranks when the rear suspension compresses and the chain is pulled. Instead of adding a device to the crank or idler, DF solves it where the problem starts: inside the freehub. On 23 September 2026 DT Swiss expanded the system with a kit for its classic Ratchet hubs and new race settings.
What is pedal kickback?
On most full-suspension bikes the distance between the chainring and the rear cog grows as the suspension compresses (chain growth). If the freehub is engaged at that moment, the chain has to pull the cranks backwards. Riders feel it as a kick in the feet, and it can make the rear suspension feel harsher on repeated hits. High-pivot bikes with idlers and bikes with lots of anti-squat tend to have more chain growth, so the effect is stronger.
How DF works
A DF hub lets the freehub rotate a set number of degrees before the ratchet engages. During a quick compression the chain can pull the freehub through that free angle without yanking the cranks. DT Swiss says the result is calmer downhill behaviour with natural trail feedback. Because it only uses a different threaded ring and ratchets, DT Swiss describes it as lighter than other anti-kickback solutions.
The trade-off is engagement: more freedom means more pedal travel before drive is picked up, which matters on technical climbs and when ratcheting the cranks.
DT Swiss DF kits compared
| DEG DF | DEG DF Race Kit | Ratchet DF (new) | DEG DF Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fits | Ratchet DEG hubs | Hubs already running DEG DF | Classic Ratchet and Ratchet LN (e.g. 350, 370) | Ratchet DEG hubs with 60T ratchets |
| Ratchet | 90T | 90T (uses DEG DF ratchets) | 54T | 60T |
| Free angle | 0°, 10°, 20° | 10°/30° or 0°/40° | 0° or 14° | 0° or 10° |
| Intended for | XC (0°), All-Mountain (10°), Enduro/DH (20°) | Enduro (10/30°), Gravity/DH (0/40°) | Trail and enduro on classic hubs | e-bikes (higher torque) |
| Not compatible | — | Hubs without DEG DF | Ratchet EXP and EXP OS | — |
What's new
- Ratchet DF Upgrade Kit — brings DF to DT Swiss's widely used classic Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs (such as the 350 and 370). It uses a 54-tooth ratchet and offers 0° or 14° of freedom. It is not compatible with the weight-optimised Ratchet EXP and EXP OS hubs, where one ratchet is combined with the ring nut. DT Swiss sells versions with or without the threaded-ring tool and lists it as e-bike approved.
- DEG DF Race Kit — an add-on for hubs that already run DEG DF. It contains threaded rings for two new pairs of settings: 10°/30° for enduro racers who tune between stages, and 0°/40° for gravity and downhill racers.
What it means for eMTB riders
Many eMTBs, including high-pivot designs, have noticeable chain growth, so kickback reduction is relevant. For e-bikes DT Swiss offers the DEG DF Hybrid kit with 60-tooth ratchets and a smaller range of 0° or 10°, which the brand limits because of the higher torques in this use. The new Ratchet DF kit is also listed as e-bike approved. Keep in mind that with a mid-drive motor, freehub float also adds a short delay before the motor's assistance reaches the rear wheel.
Changing the setting
The free angle is set inside the hub by changing the threaded ring and the position of the ratchets — no extra parts outside the hub. DT Swiss publishes setup and conversion videos and a compatibility table on its DF page; check which freehub system your hub has before buying a kit.
See DT Swiss wheels and other components in our catalog, and read our explainer on chain wear.
+Pros
- Removes kickback at the source, in the freehub
- Lighter than crank- or idler-based anti-kickback devices, per DT Swiss
- Adjustable: pick the angle for your bike and riding
- Now available for classic 350/370 Ratchet hubs
−Cons
- More free angle means slower engagement
- Not compatible with Ratchet EXP hubs
- Smaller range on e-bike Hybrid kit (0/10°)
Frequently asked questions
What is DT Swiss DF?
DF (Degrees of Freedom) is an anti-pedal-kickback system inside DT Swiss freehubs: the freehub can rotate a set angle before engaging, so suspension compression doesn't pull the cranks back.
Which hubs work with the Ratchet DF kit?
Classic DT Swiss Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs such as the 350 and 370. It does not fit Ratchet EXP or EXP OS hubs.
What angles are available?
DEG DF: 0, 10 and 20°. DEG DF Race Kit: 10/30° or 0/40°. Ratchet DF: 0 or 14°. DEG DF Hybrid for e-bikes: 0 or 10°.
Is DF suitable for eMTBs?
Yes. DT Swiss offers the DEG DF Hybrid kit for e-bikes with 0 or 10° and lists the new Ratchet DF kit as e-bike approved.
Who benefits most?
Bikes with a lot of chain growth, such as high-pivot designs, and riders on rough enduro and downhill trails.
32 years of riding experience — from a school bike to today’s high-tech e-MTBs.
