Built for those seeking the perfect nexus between gravel and MTB wheels.
Performance upgrade wheel company, HUNT, announced today the 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide, a wheelset that blurs the lines between the gravel and mountain bike categories. Engineered with HUNT’s H_Core reinforced carbon layup, wide internal rim width and reliable H_Ratchet 36t SGL hubset, this wheelset is ready for remote trails, bikepacking, and technical descents. H_Core reinforcement technology was developed to offer best-in-class impact resistance without a weight penalty for trail and enduro wheels across HUNT’s Proven carbon mountain bike range, and has been engineered into this new wheel for those who push the boundaries of “gravel” riding.
Key Product Features: HUNT 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide
- Wide 27mm internal rim dimension offers compatibility with 35mm to 65mm (2.55”) gravel and MTB tyres.
- H_Core technology integrates pultruded, highly compacted carbon inserts to reinforce the critical junction between the rim bed and sidewall without adding weight. (1472g per pair).
- H_Ratchet 36T SGL system offers reliable 10-degree engagement in a lightweight, simple design, designed to handle torque loads of 2x or 1x drivetrains.
- Front & rear 28 spoke count ensures a more even force distribution across the wheel.
- Asymmetric rim profile and angular spoke patches reduce stress at the spoke holes and provide accurate nipple alignment for a stronger, more reliable build.
- Brass nipples for corrosion resistance and proven durability, especially in harsh, wet, or muddy conditions.
Project Background: Project Aims and Rider Needs
The HUNT 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide wheelset was born from our riders demanding a shallow depth wheelset built for those who push the limits of the ‘gravel’ category. With technology borrowed from our mountain bike range, this wheelset has been designed for wide gravel and MTB tires, loaded bikepacking setups, and demanding singletrack. With a durable build, asymmetric rim profile and 27mm internal rim width, it strikes the balance between rugged capability and all-day efficiency. For ultimate compatibility, this wheelset is also available with Boost spacing, allowing riders to upgrade their drop bar mountain bike designed for ultra-endurance adventures.
Hand-built Precision, Thoughtfully Developed Components Specifications
The new HUNT H_Ratchet 36T SGL hubset provides a 10-degree engagement angle with improved durability, offering increased engagement surface area in a more compact design which in turn allows for less aluminium to be used in the hub shell to save weight over our pawl based designs. The single-side ratchet drive system is designed to handle high torque loads, suitable for both road and gravel single or double chainring drivetrains, and widerange cassettes.
As always, the 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide is hand-built, and includes a quality control card, hand-signed by our expert wheel builder. The HUNT team chose top-of-the-range, reinforced Pillar PSR triple butted J-bend spokes for durability and ride quality. Triple butted spokes reduce weight and provide greater elasticity to maintain optimal tension and resist fatigue, with an increased 2.2mm diameter at the spoke head, providing more material in this high stress area, all leading to excellent durability and long spoke service life. Our team has further tuned the ride quality of this wheelset with an asymmetric rim profile for even spoke tension and smoother tracking through technical descents.
H_Core Carbon Reinforcement Technology: Built-in Rim Protection
During the manufacturing of CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics), carbon fibre must be compacted to maximise fibre-to-resin ratio, thus improving strength and stiffness. This process typically involves vacuum pressure to remove excess resin and air bubbles from the mold. Maintaining consistent wall thickness helps compaction, but in carbon rims, thicker sections near the bead seat often cause poor compaction.
H_Core addresses the issue of poor compaction by inserting a pre-cured, high fibre-content ring in that area. Made by pulling fibres through epoxy and curing in a mould, this insert improves layup consistency and avoids compaction issues. HUNT’s testing shows significantly improved impact resistance using this method, qualities that are paramount to riders who like to take on challenging terrain.
Availability:
The HUNT 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide wheelsets are available to purchase now at huntbikewheels.com, and available to ship from our warehouses in West Sussex, UK; Boulder, USA; and Dresden, Germany starting August Week 3.
Specifications and Pricing:
- HUNT 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide
- Weight: 1472g (Non-Boost) | 1475g (Boost)
- Internal Rim Width: 27mm
- External Rim Width: 32mm
- Spokes: Pillar PSR triple butted J-bend
- Spoke Count: 28 Front & 28 Rear
- Hubs: HUNT H_Ratchet SGL, 36T, 10-degree engagement
- Axle Spacing:
- Front: 12x100mm Thru-Axle, 15x100mm Thru-Axle, Quick Release 9x100mm
- Rear: 12x142mm Thru-Axle, 12x135mm Thru-Axle, 12x148mm Thru-Axle, 10x135mm Thru-Axle, Quick Release 9x135mm
- Freehubs:
- Shimano HG, Shimano Microspline, SRAM XD/XDR, Campagnolo, Campagnolo N3W (Ekar) Bearings: Sealed Precision Cartridge
- Pricing: £949, $1299, €1249
Learn more at the Hunt Bike Wheels Website