Hunt has unveiled two new XC mountain bike wheels, each with ultra-wide 30mm rims (inner), however one’s for riders on a funds, and the opposite is for weight-weenie racers on the lookout for the final word wheelset (and just a little extra to spend).
Each are 29er solely, however the top-level Hunt Confirmed Carbon Race XC UD brings greater than a protracted mannequin title together with it’s UD carbon fiber spokes. There’s a brand new hub, front- and rear-specific layups, and a lifetime crash substitute guarantee, too. We’ll begin with these…
Hunt Confirmed Carbon Race XC UD
Obtainable in 29er solely, the brand new 1254g XC Race wheelset hits its ultra-low weight with out giving up a extremely broad rim. Each entrance and rear have a contemporary 30mm inner rim width, however a shallow 22mm depth.
Weight financial savings come from utilizing UD carbon fiber spokes that weigh simply 2.7g every, however Hunt says they’re 30% stronger than a comparable metal spoke, which allowed them to scale back the spoke depend to only 20 within the entrance and 24 within the rear. Entrance wheel weight is simply 552g, rear is 702g with XD Driver Physique.
But they’re person pleasant, utilizing the identical replaceable, true-able design as customary spokes because of a “Taperlock” design that locations an alloy sleeve across the hub finish and a threaded metal mandrel on the rim’s finish that has a sq. form so you may maintain it in place (stopping rotation) whereas truing it like regular with customary nipples.
The entrance rim is tuned for compliance and traction, whereas the rear is a bit stiffer for higher influence sturdiness and responsive acceleration. There’s a 21g distinction between rims because of these totally different layups.
The brand new S_RapidEngage hubs have a handy guide a rough 2-degree engagement angle, and with 30% much less “stretch” from the carbon spokes, they are saying the wheels speed up in a short time.
They’ve been racing them in prototype kind on the UCI World Cup circuit for 2 full seasons, garnering a podium spot and proving the light-weight design was as much as the duty. All that, and the MSRP is simply $1,699 (€1749 / £1349). They’re obtainable for pre-order now, delivery in late August.
Hunt XC Large Alloy MTB Wheels
On the different finish of the spectrum and retailing for simply $479 (€499 / £379) are the all-new Hunt XC Large Alloy wheels. These, too, get entrance and rear particular rims, however as a substitute of layup, it’s within the width and form.
Each use a brand new FEA-optimized 6069-T6 alloy that’s been hardened and shot-peened to enhance sturdiness, and so they examined them in opposition to different fashionable alloy wheels to make sure they’d maintain up equally nicely or higher in opposition to impacts.
The entrance rim has a 28mm inside width and is designed to maximise the tire’s traction and stay compliant over the bumps. The rear is 26mm broad inside, and stiffer to deal with the torque and impacts.
Spokes are 28-count entrance and rear, utilizing triple-butted (2.2-1.6-2.0) black anodized Pillar spokes that broaden to 2.2mm on the head for elevated power.
The hubs include EZO chrome steel bearings, outsized alloy axles, and their H_Ceramik remedy on the freehub our bodies to withstand scratching and marring from the cassette. Inside is a 6-pawl (3×2 association) setup with 36 enamel for a 5º engagement.
They’re designed with 2.2-2.4″ tires in thoughts however work with something from 1.6″ to 2.6″. Claimed weight is 1,693g, obtainable in Enhance and Non-Enhance hub spacing.
