Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset review

Had this wheelset been released a few years ago, it might have been classed as a lightweight cross-country wheelset. Today, with the lines between categories shifting, the Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide is designed squarely for drop-bar riders who like to push into more adventurous terrain. Its well-judged specification gives it an impressive balance of performance and durability.

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Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide – Technical Details

How wide is X-Wide? In this case, 27mm internally. For a wheelset aimed at gravel bikes, even those running wider tyres, the name feels justified. The external width is 32mm, suggesting a decent amount of carbon material in the build, and the rim features a hookless profile.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Rim profile.JPG, by Matthew Page

The rims have a shallow 25mm depth and an asymmetric profile, with what Hunt calls H_Core reinforcement technology, designed to boost impact resistance. The brand even claims these are the strongest gravel rims on the market.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Side.JPG, by Matthew Page

For riders heading off on bikepacking adventures, especially longer trips or more remote routes, spoke choice is an important consideration. Alloy nipples and straight-pull spokes might save a few grams, but they are more fragile and trickier to replace. Hunt has opted for J-bend spokes with brass nipples instead, a much more practical choice. Only three spoke lengths are used across the set (282, 283 and 284mm), which simplifies sourcing or carrying spares.

Both front and rear wheels use 28 spokes, laced to Hunt-branded hubs with Centre Lock disc fittings. The rear hub features a 36-point ratchet ring, offering 10 degrees of engagement, and uses a star ratchet-style mechanism that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Compatibility is extensive, with freehub options for Shimano HG, Microspline, SRAM XD/XD-R, and both Campagnolo and Campagnolo N3W (Ekar).

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Logo.JPG, by Matthew Page

The wheels are available in standard 100x12mm/142x12mm or Boost 110x15mm/148x12mm axle configurations, the latter being more common on mountain bikes. Claimed weight is 1472g for the pair, while our test set with a Campagnolo N3W freehub came in at 1505g, split as 720g for the front and 785g for the rear.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide – Performance

Before fitting a tyre, the first thing I noticed with these wheels, which has occasionally been an issue with previous Hunt models, was the tubeless tape. On some earlier wheels, the tape arrived starting to peel, and in some cases needed replacing before use. On the 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide, the tape is all black and adheres firmly, showing no signs of peeling.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset size.JPG, by Matthew Page

During testing, I fitted tyres from Schwalbe and Vittoria, both of which mounted easily and inflated without the need for a compressor or pressurised air. The generous internal rim width means many tyres measure wider than their quoted size, depending on the manufacturer’s method. For example, a Vittoria tyre quoted as 700x45mm inflated to an actual width of 46mm.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Name.JPG, by Matthew Page

On the road, the wheels deliver a well-judged balance of comfort and performance. Their relatively low weight and quick response are immediately noticeable. With a shallow rim profile, they are fast at higher speeds, though pure gravel racers might prefer something deeper. Hunt would likely recommend the 40 Carbon Gravel Race for more race-focused riders, but for those seeking adventure, the 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide proves that carbon wheels still have a role when designed and executed well.

Lateral stiffness is good, and even the heaviest, most powerful riders on fully loaded bikes should be comfortable. The wheels accelerate quickly and handle beautifully, even on the roughest and most technical descents. The 36-tooth, 10-degree ratchet is slightly slower than some alternatives, but for the kind of riding these wheels are intended for, reliability and lower freehub friction matter more than maximum engagement speed.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Front Hub.JPG, by Matthew Page

While I have pushed the wheels hard, my testing has not approached the extremes of an event like the Silk Road Mountain Race, which is closer to the environment these wheels are designed for. Running 45mm tyres certainly improves comfort, but even without them, the wheels remain composed, transmitting no harshness or vibrations over road or off-road surfaces. The shallow rim profile helps maintain speed, and there is very little noise from either resonance or wind, which is a bonus on longer rides where rider fatigue can be affected by sound.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Profile 2.JPG, by Matthew Page

The wider rim gives the tyre a broader, more stable profile compared to narrower rims, particularly those under 25mm internally. This is most noticeable on rougher, more technical descents, where the added volume and improved sidewall support enhance control and confidence. It’s also an advantage when bikepacking, as the wider base helps distribute the load more evenly and adds stability when descending.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide – Verdict

There has clearly been a great deal of thought put into the design of the 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide. While they don’t share some of the aerodynamic features of Hunt’s Proven range, the £950 price tag feels very reasonable for what’s on offer.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Rear Hub.JPG, by Matthew Page

I recently tested the Ere Research Tenaci GT25, which shares the same 25mm rim depth, but the wheelset is slightly heavier at 1623g. At £900, it sits in a similar price bracket, and while it may not be quite as adventure-focused, it’s excellent for general gravel and off-road use.

Hunt 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide Wheelset Pair.JPG, by Matthew Page

Among rival options, Roval’s Terra C wheelset costs £1,150 and features 32mm-deep carbon rims with a 25mm internal width, built around DT Swiss 370 hubs and claiming a 1,610g weight. Mavic’s Allroad S Carbon also has a 25mm internal width but uses a deeper 42mm rim, bringing total weight up to 1,695g, with a retail price of €999.

Even if you’re not planning to head off to some far-flung corner of the world, and simply want a reliable, lightweight and responsive wheelset that’s comfortable to ride, Hunt has delivered with the 25 Carbon Gravel X-Wide. Small issues that once affected Hunt’s wheels, such as rim tape quality, have been addressed, and thoughtful details like the minimal number of spoke lengths show that the designers were genuinely thinking about riders venturing far from home. It’s a wheelset built with adventure in mind, and I’d have no worries at all about taking it somewhere truly remote.

• huntbikewheels.com
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