Hunt has unveiled three new wheelsets in its Aerodynamicist carbon wheel range, boasting that they offer “class-leading aerodynamic performance-to-weight metrics with wide road tyres”. That’s “wide” by traditional road race standards; we’re talking about wheels optimised for 28mm and 30mm tyre widths here.
The new Aerodynamicist wheels come with front- and rear-specific rim shapes designed to maximise aero efficiency, and you can choose between stainless steel and carbon spokes. Complete wheelset weights start at a claimed 1,175g per pair with prices from £1,149.
Paddy Brown, Hunt’s senior design engineer, says, “The Aerodynamicist range is by far our most popular, and after many successful years, we have worked hard to refine and upgrade all three wheelsets with cutting-edge aerodynamic developments, enhanced materials, and performance-driven design improvements.”
Hunt says that it aimed to create the fastest range of road race wheels using conventional manufacturing methods for their respective depth categories, when fitted with 28-30mm tyres. By “conventional manufacturing methods” Hunt means that it doesn’t use its Limitless technology (Limitless is Hunt’s way of adding low-density polymer to some of its carbon rims to reduce the rotational mass by 50-55g). Although they’re optimised for those 28-30mm tyres, the new Aerodynamicist wheels are compatible with tubeless and non-tubeless tyres in widths from 25mm up to 50mm.
“The engineering objective was to build on the aerodynamic performance of the previous Aerodynamicist range while optimising for modern road racing tyres and reducing system weight with wider and deeper rim profiles,” says Hunt.
“A three-year development process, involving over 47,000 hours of computer time, yielded three all-new wheel systems, two of which feature distinct front and rear specific rim profiles, offering riders an unrivalled combination of three key metrics that directly improve performance: aerodynamic efficiency, crosswind stability, and low system weight.”
The aero claims
As mentioned, the new Hunt Aerodynamicist wheels come in three different rim depth combos: these are 34/34mm, 44/46mm, and 54/58mm. Hunt says that the wheels offer “class-leading aerodynamic efficiency-to-weight and aerodynamic efficiency-to-depth performance”.
Hunt says that with a 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tyre fitted, its 54_58 Aerodynamicist UD offers a lower aerodynamic drag than the Zipp 404 Firecrest, the Enve SES 4.5, Reserve 52|63 and Roval Rapide CLII when tested on a wind averaged drag (WAD) scale, which aims to reflect real-world performance (Hunt’s full testing protocol and results are available online in its Aerodynamicist Wheel Development white paper). Hunt did its testing at 45km/h (28mph) at yaw angles from -20° to +20° in the GST wind tunnel in Germany.
Hunt also says that with that same 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tyre fitted, the 44_46 Aerodynamicist UD produced lower drag than the ENVE 45, the Mavic Cosmic 45 SL, Zipp 353 NSW, and DT Swiss ERC 1400 45 (among others).
Meanwhile, the 34_34 Aerodynamicist UD produced lower drag than the Reserve 34|37 while being 147g lighter, although the Shimano Dura-Ace C36 has still lower drag (if you really want to dig into the aerodynamic performance, check out Hunt’s white paper). That said, the C36 is heavier than the 34_34 Aerodynamicist UD.
“The aim with this wheelset was to produce a shallow-section wheel with excellent aerodynamic performance, but at a weight that would enable it to be used as a mountain-climbing wheel,” Hunt says in its white paper. “The only competitor wheel that was faster than the new Aerodynamicist 34_34 was the Shimano Dura-Ace C36, which carried a weight penalty of over 178g per wheelset, for a drag reduction of only 0.58 watts.”
According to Hunt, “The wind tunnel results validate the performance of each Hunt Aerodynamicist wheelset amongst a range of world-class aero wheels commonly used in competitive racing.
“The data shows with a Schwalbe 28mm, the Hunt 44_46 and 54_58 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc wheelsets offer the lowest aerodynamic drag while offering the fastest overall package when considering aerodynamic drag and system weight, while the 34_34 Aerodynamicist Carbon disc has the second lowest aerodynamic drag.
“The Aerodynamicist range paired with a 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tyre offers, on average, a 1.4-watt (2%) savings compared to respective previous generation models.
“When aerodynamic drag-to-weight and aerodynamic drag-to-depth ratios are considered, the entire range significantly outperforms the relevant competitive set.”
The development process
We’ve yet to use the new Aerodynamicist wheels, but Hunt came visiting road.cc HQ a couple of weeks ago to show them off, and we’ve put in a request for some.
Hunt’s Paddy Brown says, “As an engineering team, we’ve applied the learnings of several years of aerodynamic shaping experience and used every tool at our disposal, from CFD analysis to comprehensive wind tunnel testing methods, to create three wheels that not only excel across measurable metrics, but also offer tangible acceleration, stability, and drag reduction benefits on the road.”
Hunt says that feedback suggested that riders wanted the aero performance of the original Aerodynamicist range in a lighter package, so this is what it set about providing.
To gauge the performance of leading wheels already out there in the market, models from Roval, Enve and Zipp were scanned and simulated alongside Hunt’s designs.
Initial simulations were run as wheel-only models before full-bike CFD (computational fluid dynamics) was undertaken “to capture more complex airflow, especially critical for rear wheel development”.
Hunt tested profiles across a 0-20° yaw range “to map airflow transition and stall behaviour, ensuring stability and drag reduction in real-world crosswind conditions”. Stalling is when the airflow separates from the surface of the rim, causing high drag.
As mentioned above, Hunt says, that it used about 47,000 hours of computing across six rim profiles.
“These CFD-derived designs were then validated in the wind tunnel using physical prototypes, allowing the engineering team to bypass the 3D printed prototyping phase, confirming both aerodynamic performance targets and handling stability.”
Hunt says that it focused on creating the most efficient rim profile for managing clean airflow at the front of the bike. It found that rim shapes with a blunted front profile and a wider external width provided the best overall drag reduction across the full yaw range.
The rear wheel, on the other hand, encounters airflow that has already been heavily disturbed by the front of the bike and the rider, and the leading edge of the rear rim is faired by the frame. Hunt says this means a different profile shape is effective at the rear.
“To minimise material in the rear wheel without negatively affecting system aerodynamics, the team designed a slightly narrower, deeper, and lighter rear rim profile to handle the power transfer duties at the back of the bike,” says Hunt.
Both front and rear wheels feature an internal rim width of 22mm because Hunt wanted to maintain compatibility with 25mm tyres. It has gone with hooked beads to give you many tyre possibilities.
Losing weight
Each of the three depth options is available with the TaperLock UD carbon spoke technology that Hunt introduced on the previous Aerodynamicist range in 2020.
Hunt says that UD (unidirectional) carbon spokes offer 6% greater lateral responsiveness than steel equivalents at a significantly lower weight (each spoke weighs just 2.7g). This allows it to use fewer of them (18 rather than 20 spokes in the front wheel, and 20 rather than 24 in the rear wheel). The TaperLock system is true-able and adjustable.
Hunt also argues, “UD carbon spokes also offer high frequency vibration benefits, reducing rider fatigue over a long day of racing across rough roads.”
On the downside, you’re looking at £400 more for an Aerodynamicist wheelset with UD carbon spokes than for the equivalent model with Pillar Wing 20 triple-butted steel spokes
Hunt specs its H_Ratchet 40T double ratchet hubs across the range. The rear hub uses a dual-sided ratchet system with a 40-tooth drive, meaning it engages in 9° when you start to pedal. The hub shell is 6066-T6 aluminium alloy while the axle is 7075-T6.
The chromium steel ABEC 5 bearings are from Enduro. Hunt is now phasing in Enduro bearings across its range.
The green light
Hunt has made the deepest Aerodynamicist wheel, the 54_58, using H_Cyclo construction technology that’s designed to reduce its environmental impact.
“This fully recyclable thermoset epoxy resin system enables the separation and re-use of both carbon fibre and resin at end-of-life,” says Hunt.
The 54_58 becomes the fourth wheelset in the Hunt lineup with H_Cyclo tech. The company says it will use H_Cyclo across more of its range as manufacturing capacity increases.
Specs and prices
Hunt 34_34 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc
Weight (per pair): 1,264g
Internal rim width: 22mm
External rim width: 28.4mm
Spokes: Pillar Wing 20 elliptical aero, 20 front, 24 Rear
Hubs: Hunt H_Ratchet DBL, 40T, 9° engagement
Bearings: Enduro ABEC 5 – stainless steel cartridge bearings
Price: £1,149
Hunt 34_34 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc
Weight (per pair): 1,175g
Internal rim width: 22mm
External rim width: 28.4mm
Spokes: UD carbon, 18 front, 20 rear
Hubs: Hunt H_Ratchet DBL, 40T, 9° engagement
Bearings: Enduro ABEC 5 – stainless steel cartridge bearings
Price: £1,549
Hunt 44_46 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc
Weight (per pair): 1,346g
Internal rim width: 22mm
External rim width: 31mm front, 30mm rear
Spokes: Pillar Wing 20 elliptical aero, 20 front, 24 rear
Hubs: Hunt H_Ratchet DBL, 40T, 9° engagement
Bearings: Enduro ABEC 5 – stainless steel cartridge bearings
Price: £1,179
Hunt 44_46 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc
Weight (per pair): 1,274g
Internal rim width: 22mm
External rim width: 31mm front, 30mm rear
Spokes: UD Carbon Spokes, 18 front, 20 rear
Hubs: Hunt H_Ratchet DBL, 40T, 9° engagement
Bearings: Enduro ABEC 5 – stainless steel cartridge bearings
Price: £1,579
Hunt 54_58 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc
Weight (per pair): 1,468g
Internal rim width: 22mm
External rim width: 31.7mm front, 30mm rear
Spokes: Pillar Wing 20 elliptical aero, 20 front, 24 rear
Hubs: Hunt H_Ratchet DBL, 40T, 9° engagement
Bearings: Enduro ABEC 5 – Stainless steel cartridge bearings
Price: £1,199
Hunt 56_58 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc
Weight (per pair): 1,391g
Internal rim width: 22mm
External rim width: 31.7mm front, 30mm rear
Spokes: Pillar Wing 20 elliptical aero, 18 front, 20 rear
Hubs: Hunt H_Ratchet DBL, 40T, 9° engagement
Bearings: Enduro ABEC 5 – stainless steel cartridge bearings
Price: £1,599
You can pre-order now with stock due to arrive from late May until mid-June.
14 thoughts on “Hunt revamps Aerodynamicist wheel range to offer “class-leading aerodynamic performance-to-weight metrics with wide road tyres””
Owning 3 sets of Hunt wheels
Owning 3 sets of Hunt wheels myself, one thing I wish they would improve is their scratch resistance. I’ve never known rims that are as easy to mark. Apart from that I love them, but the ease in which I can accident it scuff them is annoying.
I’ve been running Hunt’s 4
I’ve been running Hunt’s 4-season wheels for five years and have never suffered from rim scratches. Rim cracking, yes, around the spoke holes. But Hunt’s after- sales service was both rapid and efficient. I chose to have my replacement rim spoked locally and they happily paid for this. I was as pleased as one could be under the circumstances.
I have no gripe wiuth Hunt-in
I have no gripe wiuth Hunt-in fact i have 2 sets of thier wheels, original 4 seasons and also a carbon 35mm wheelset with oil slick spokes that i love the look of and really enjoy riding. But the internal rim width is too narrow for me now. I bought a set of wheels from a reputable chinese seller, specced to my choice , 50mm deep, carbon spoke 31 external, 26mm internal at 1180gms and i love them. 32mm conti 5000 rear measure at 35mm measure , The Aerothan 29 measures at 32mm on the front. Lovely comfy ride and no discernable loss of speed over previous wheels. Light and fast. 2/3rds the price though after sales will be a challenge compared to Hunt’s highly regarded aftercare. Thats my risk.
I think their aftercare model
I think their aftercare model is the same as that other faux-premium brand, le col. Falsely inflated RRPs for actually quite basic products, but then an after sales service which immediately fixes things. Guess it’s factored into their business model that the positive PR from immediately replacing products is more cost effective than making a quality product in the first place. Everyone I know who’s owned hunts has had issues, likewise for le col bibs, which have all failed in exactly the same way and everyone receives the same cookie cutter ‘shocked’ email plus a free set of shorts.
“Hunt says that feedback
“Hunt says that feedback suggested that riders wanted the aero performance of the original Aerodynamicist range in a lighter package, so this is what it set about providing.”
You don’t say…really?
Do they still use those loud, cheap hubs?
Great marketing let down by
Great marketing let down by cheap Chinese bearings.
No Reply wrote:
Really? All the Hunts I’ve bought have Japanese EZO bearings. Even listed now as such on the product web page. Never had an issue with the three sets I’ve owned. I wonder why they changed to Enduro for this iteration?
(Unlike Bloomin’ Cannondale and their cheap Formula hubs)
Yeah, whatever was in my
Yeah, whatever was in my carbon spoked Aerodynamacists’s are still in there, untouched, and still running extremely smooth after 3-4 years of use.
Owning 3 sets of Hunt wheels
.
Owning 3 sets of Hunt wheels
.
I may have missed it but are
I may have missed it but are these new rims hookless?
Rapha Nadal wrote:
“Both front and rear wheels feature an internal rim width of 22mm because Hunt wanted to maintain compatibility with 25mm tyres. It has gone with hooked beads to give you many tyre possibilities.”
Safe to say that i did indeed
Safe to say that i did indeed miss that part! Cheers.
If Hunt haven’t improved
If Hunt haven’t improved their hubs then I’m not interested. I’m sure these rims would make a great wheelset when built with a set of decent DT hubs.