A new British firm, HuntBikeWheels, has launched initial details of its debut range, with a focus on handbuilt, tubeless-ready alloy road wheels.
The new Sussex-based company has announced its entry into the world of wheels by collaborating with former Kinesis chief Dom Mason’s Mason Progressive Cycles brand, launching the Mason x Hunt Four Season Disc road wheelset.
And HuntBikeWheels founder Tom Marchment has promised plenty more to come, with a focus on the growing trend towards tubeless wheelsets.
He said: “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.”
Though the full details of the debut range are still to be released, Marchment has also revealed the wheels will also tackle two other trends head on, with wide rims between 22mm and 24mm and disc brake options. Weights are said to range from 1,395g to 1,650g. Pricing is set to start at £200, with the launch range topped by a £450 wheelset.
Marchment says the brand was started in September, with the autumn and early winter spent sourcing, developing and testing new wheelsets, which will have double-contact sealed bearings from EZO Japan and triple-butted spokes from Pillar.
“These spokes cost more but the triple butting provides a great ride and the PSR spoke head reinforcement adds extra durability over standard spokes,” Marchment explained.
The wheelsets will be available to order through local bike shops or direct from www.huntbikewheels.com, with international shipping available.
Details of the full-range are to be released in due course, with the Mason x Hunt wheelset, due in stock in March, offering a small insight into what to expect.
The Four Season Disc features disc-specific, 23mm, tubeless-ready alloy rims, adaptable front and rear hubs – the latter available in 9-135mm, 12-135mm and 12-142mm – and a 9/10/11-speed compatible freehub.
The 1,585g wheelset, which also features Pillar’s triple-butted stainless J-bend PSR spokes and EZO’s full-contact sealed replaceable cartridge bearings, will cost £349.
Marchment, who has 12 years experience in the bicycle industry and who started the brand with his brother, added: “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.”
