Hunt redesigns entry-level carbon wheelset range with wider rims and lighter hubs (but sticks with hooked rims)

Updated carbon wheels replace outgoing Carbon Aero Disc line-up

By Jack Luke

Published: Thursday, 04 April 2024 at 15:00 PM

Hunt has revamped its entry-level carbon wheelsets with wider rims and lighter hubs, relaunching as the 30/40/50 Carbon Disc range.

Comprising 30, 40 and 50mm-deep rim options, the new range replaces the previous-generation Carbon Aero Disc line-up. The deepest 65mm option appears to have been dropped from the new range. 

All wheelsets feature revised 22mm-wide (internal) hooked rims, up from 19mm. The greater internal width means the wheels are now ETRTO-compliant with tyres from 25mm to 50mm wide.

The 50mm-deep wheels are said to be around 8 watts faster than a 25mm-deep alloy wheel. – Hunt

Hunt says the 50mm-deep version of the wheels is 8 watts faster versus an unspecified “standard 25mm deep alloy rim”.

When tested with 28mm-wide tyres, the wheels are also claimed to be 4 watts slower than “the fastest wheels in the segment”, such as Hunt’s own SUB50 Limitless Aero Disc wheels and ENVE’s SES 4.5.

Hunt says it tested the wheels at GST Windkanal with a margin of error of ＋/- 0.3 watts following industry-recognised procedures.  

Hunt Carbon Disc wheels – spare spokes and valves
As is typical with Hunt, all wheels ship with spare spokes and valves. – Hunt

All wheelsets use 24 J-bend Pillar PSR spokes front and rear. 

Hunt says it has specced marginally skinnier (2.0-1.5-2.0mm vs 2.0-1.6-2.0mm) spokes on the front wheel to improve compliance. 

Hunt Carbon Disc wheels – new freehub design
The new freehub has been specced on Hunt’s other wheels for some time. – Hunt

The wheels are built around new H_Ratchet 36T SGL hubs. The new ratchet freehub has been used on other Hunt wheels for some time and is very similar to DT Swiss’ Star Ratchet system. The previous-generation Carbon Aero Disc wheels range used a pawl freehub. The newer hubs are also said to be lighter.

All wheels arrive tubeless-ready, with tape pre-installed and valves included. However, because the wheels use a hooked profile, they’re also fully compatible with inner tubes. 

Hunt’s premium wheelsets have all switched to hookless with each new generation. Hunt says it opted for hooked rims for its entry-level range because it provides “the best solution for the specific wheel’s design purpose, rider needs and tyre preferences”.

Priced from £779 / $979 / €979 to £799 / $999 / €999, the wheels are available to buy now from Hunt’s UK and US warehouses, with stock in its EU warehouse due to arrive soon.

Hunt 30 carbon disc specs

Hunt Carbon 30 Disc weight – image of wheels on scales
The 40mm-deep wheels weigh a claimed 1,408g for the pair. – Hunt

Hunt 40 carbon disc specs

Hunt Carbon 40 Disc weight – image of wheels on scales
The 40mm-deep wheels weigh a claimed 1,433g for the pair. – Hunt

Hunt 50 carbon disc specs

Hunt Carbon 50 Disc weight – image of wheels on scales
The 50mm-deep wheels weigh a claimed 1,464g for the pair. – Hunt