Hunt Bike Wheels (United Kingdom) - Press Release: After years spent testing and developing in the wind tunnel and on the open road (and the subsequent launch of our 48 Limitless Aero Disc wheelset), HUNT is proud to introduce the 34 Aero Wide Disc - the world's fastest alloy disc-brake wheelset.

Everything we learned when pushing what is aerodynamically possible with a carbon disc-brake wheelset, has been applied to an alloy model that embodies the same philosophy: be the absolute fastest drop-bar wheelset.

Alloy? In a wind tunnel?

Until now, aerodynamic development has lagged behind on alloy wheelsets. So much so, that after having invested our time and knowledge into the 34 Aero Wide Disc, it is faster than a (carbon) Zipp 202 NSW when paired with a 28c tyre. The assumption that carbon is inherently faster is untrue, and now tangible aerodynamic performance has been made accessible for all.

Overview:

The fastest alloy disc-brake wheelset in the world:

• Rims | Aerodynamicist rim profile with similar rounded profile to our Limitless wheels. 24mm external width at the hook, but tapering to 26mm lower down to optimise airflow. 6069-T6 alloy (+69% tensile strength vs 6061-T6)
• Tyres | Tubeless-ready for lower weight and rolling resistance. As with all our current HUNT rims, these wheels have a normal hooked sidewall and are suitable for all clincher road tyres including Continental.
• Hubs | Fast engaging 7.5° Sprint Disc straight-pull hubs.
• Spokes | Pillar Wing 20 spokes with aerofoil profile. Tested and proven to provide aerodynamic advantage over flat or bladed options both from Pillar and other competitors.
• Axles | Easily adaptable & we fit them for you. Fit all current axle sizes and are easy to change; Front - QR, Bolt thru 12/9mm, Rear - QR, Bolt thru 12x142, 12x135, 10x135. Please click here for more info on how to select your axles.
• Included | Tubeless tape & valves, spare spokes, spoke key, axle adapters (please fill in the simple form after checkout to select your required size) and pair of 6bolt disc adapters.
• Weight | 1548g

The world's fastest alloy disc-brake wheelset:

Developed by Luisa Grappone, with years in the wind tunnel spent testing every last detail. We've left no stone unturned in designing this wheelset from the ground up to be very fastest in the world within its class. Wind tunnel tested and proven to be even faster than a (carbon) Zipp 202 NSW when paired with 28c tyres.

Real World Tested:

We test our wheels when riding to work, racing, and spending as much time as we possibly can on our bikes. We develop the wheels we want to ride the most as cyclists ourselves.

Rims:

The broad shape and large radius spoke bed profile (developed by Luisa for the LIMITLESS project allows excellent transfer of airflow from tyre to the rim and then around the spoke bed to ensure low aerodynamic drag at a wide range of yaw angles.

Rims:

To achieve the wide profile, yet also create a lightweight 1548g high performance wheelset, 6069-T6 alloy was the right choice. It has a 69% higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (480 Mega Pascals), than the 6061-T6 alloy (280 MPa) often used in performance road rims.

Bearings:

The heart of any wheel. Investing in them makes huge sense. We use high-grade precision smooth-rolling sealed cartridge bearings. This wheelset has three of the rear hub bearings upgraded to low-friction LU/LB seals on the internal bearing face to further reduce rolling resistance whilst maintaining excellent sealing on the exposed faces.

Freehub Body:

Featuring 3 multi-point pawls with 3 teeth each and a 48t ratchet ring. The result an impressively low 7.5 deg engagement angle. Durability is a theme for HUNT, and so all our freehub bodies have Steel Spline Insert re-enforcements to provide excellent durability against cassette sprocket damage often seen on standard alloy freehub bodies.

Nipples:

Despite designing a wheelset with aerodynamic supremacy in mind, serviceability and usability has always been a core philosophy of how we put wheels together. External spoke nipples are absolutely the right choice with this in mind, especially when running tubeless tyres as you would have to remove the tubeless tape to access the nipples were they to be internal.

Wing Spokes:

After considerable testing across multiple spoke types (including analysis against competitor spokes), we found that the aerofoil profile of Pillar's Wing 20 spokes offer even further aerodynamic advantages over flat/bladed options.

Rim Bed:

H-Lock is our tubeless-ready rim bed profile with up-kicks to the shoulders of the tubeless steps which help to create a great rim-well seal for first installation and easy sealing of tubeless tyres. The H-Lock profile also locks the beads in place more securely once seated. This is especially important when running lower pressures off road.

Adaptability:

Our wheels are seriously future-proof. We can adapt your wheels to any current axle standard, you just need to let us know what you require by filling in the simple form on the confirmation page after checkout. Please note these wheels will not work with the older 15mm front road TA standard.. As Shimano hydraulic brakes are appearing on many new bikes, we wanted riders to have the option so we went even more adaptable with centre-lock hubs and 6 bolt adaptors included.

Tyres:

At HUNT, we enjoy the puncture resistance and grip benefits of tubeless on our every-day rides so we wanted to allow our customers the same option. Of course, all of our tubeless-ready wheels are designed to work perfectly with clincher tyres and inner tubes too.

Weight:

The consequence of the fanatical attention to detail is an outstandingly light 1548 gram wheelset weight. We can't promise you'll be the next Quintana but you will seriously notice the climbing and acceleration prowess, don't tell your ride mates your secret.