Tubeless-Ready Hunt Bike Wheels Hit the Road

HuntBikeWheels is a new marque based in Sussex, UK and available world-wide which is focusing on tubeless-ready road wheels for their launch range. The company has just launched their website and social media and was founded by Tom Marchment who has spent the last 12 years working with prominent bicycle companies, component brands and distributors in the UK.

The Hunt website details the initial range as all hand-built and they “bring you the latest practical technology and thinking in all things round.” Whilst range images and model specific details are yet to be released they have provided a range overview. Hunt are launching with road alloy wheels and being tubeless-ready is a feature across all models. Marchment says “Having tested tubeless extensively on and off road we know it answers many issues; noticeably improving ride quality, grip and puncture protection. We see tubeless-tyres as offering the greatest benefits for year round and winter-riding when poor road conditions and punctures are a major issue, hence several Hunt wheels are aimed at this type of riding”. Other contemporary features across the Hunt models include wide-rims of between 22 to 24 mm and disc brake options. Pricing for the launch range will be between £200 – £450 (US$300-675) with weights competitively low at 1395 to 1650 grams.

Marchment describes how the brand started “I’ve been working with my brother Peter at his company ITS Cycling Ltd since August 2014. We both knew the spec of the wheels we wanted to ride ourselves but they weren’t easily available from other wheel brands. We ideally wanted to buy from a wheel company that we could contact directly to get help and spares if needed. Then we thought; there are loads of other riders we know that want the same, here’s an opportunity to use our expertise and customer service skills to help, and of course we kind of love of cycling…a lot.” The HuntBikeWheels project was started in September last year with sourcing, development and testing work being carried out throughout the British Autumn and Winter.

Hunt Bike Wheels will be available to order through your local bike shop, trade enquiries through ITS Cycling, or to purchase directly at HuntBikeWheels, with low cost international shipping available. This combined business model is becoming more commonplace and Hunt – ITS say that the efficiency it allows means they are able to invest more in the details and significantly increase the specification of each component. Direct customer service is also available on the phone, email and even in person at their office in Sussex.

Of the Hunt name Tom says “Hunt is a play on the thrill and excitement of ‘The Chase’ when riding, however it actually originated from the drive we had to ‘Hunt’ for every improvement in the rims, hubs, spokes, bearings, nipples and QRs, such as using precision double contact sealed bearings by EZO Japan”. Pillar’s high-spec spokes are another example mentioned by the company; the Pillar spokes chosen by Hunt are the top of the range triple-butted round and aero versions, are cold-drawn from Swedish Sandvik Stainless Steel T302 wire and feature Pillar’s patented PSR spoke head re-enforcement. PSR spokes are butted again just before the spoke head providing more material in this high stress area. “These spokes cost more but the triple butting provides a great ride and the PSR adds extra durability over standard spokes” enthuses Marchment.

The first wheel to be available from Hunt is a collaboration with the new, but already widely talked about, Mason Progressive Cycles see MasonCycles.cc. After his 15 years heading up the Kinesis UK brand Dom Mason started Mason Cycles to develop “small batch, quality crafted and detailed bicycles ”. Dom said “Some very special wheels were required for our first bikes, so we worked with the wheel fanatics at Hunt. They’ve developed the MASON x HUNT Four Season Disc road wheelset. It’s absolutely perfect for my four season performance bikes”. “We were delighted when Dom asked us to help him with wheels” said Marchment “the innovation and incredible detail apparent in each Mason bike meant we really enjoyed creating wheels to truly complement the Mason bicycles”. Please see below a brief outline of spec the for MASON x HUNT wheels. More details on the rest of the range will be released very shortly. Hunt are expecting stock of the MASON x HUNT Four Season Disc wheels in March with rim brake models following in April.

MASON x HUNT Four Season Disc technical details:

• True disc specific, asymmetric 6061-T6 heat treated alloy rim. Tubeless ready. 23mm width/27mm depth.
• Adaptable 9/12/15mm front and 9-135/12-135/12-142mm rear hubs. Centerlock with 6 bolt adapters included.
• Internal cam quick-releases for high torque tightening, secure fitting with low dirt ingress.
• 9/10/11 speed compatible freehub
• Head-reinforced, triple-butted, stainless J-bend Pillar PSR spokes. 24 front and rear, laced 2 cross.
• Durable, corrosion resistant brass nipples.
• Dual full-contact sealed replaceable cartridge bearings by EZO Japan.
• Tubeless rim tape fitted and valves included.
• 1585g | £349