For one reason or another, tubeless wheels and tyres are yet to really take off. But that hasn’t put off Hunt Bike Wheels, a new Sussex-based company which is set to launch a full range of tubeless-ready wheels.
The new company has been set up by Tom Marchment, a man with 12 years experience working across the UK bike industry. For Marchment, the choice to produce tubeless-ready rims was hardly a difficult decision.
“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.”
All Hunt products are developed and tested here in the UK, but the parts are sourced from overseas, and the wheels built in Taiwan, a contrast with the method of another Sussex bike brand, Strada, but something that is certainly reflected in the price.
Hunt wheels are designed in Sussex and built in Taiwan
However Marchmant is quick to stress that this doesn’t mean a compromise on quality, with the ‘Hunt’ name deriving from his search to find the best parts to produce his wheels, such as the hub bearings from EZO in Japan and the spokes from Taiwanese brand Pillar.
The full range of wheels has yet to be announced, but Marchment promises an extensive choice of alloy builds, with wide rims of 22-24mm and disc brake options. Weights will between 1395g-1650g, not bad for a set of alloy hoops, with prices start from £200.
However the first sneak peek of what we can expect comes with Hunt’s collaboration with another new British brand, Mason Cycles, to produce the MASON x HUNT Four Season Disc. This 1585g, £349 disc-specific comes with a 27mm deep rim and 9/10/11 speed compatible freehub, and, as you would expect, is fully tubeless-ready.
All Hunt wheels will be available through your local bike shop, or to buy direct from Hunt themselves, who will also provide customer service and support from their Sussex base.
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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