HUNT LIMITLESS AERO DISC REVIEW
On the leading edge of value
Over the last few seasons we’ve been impressed to see how quickly the British wheel brand Hunt has been to adopt many of the latest wheel trends. Of all their wheel offerings, Hunt is probably as well known for their affordably priced series aluminum hoops that start at $400 as they are their higher-end carbon models. Hunt claims their $1400 Limitless Aero Disc wheelset is the most aerodynamically optimized wheelset in the sub-50mm rim-
depth range.
THE TECH
Hunt offers a variety of disc and rim brake hoops that are all relatively affordable given all their modern design cues. The Limitless Aero Disc is available in 48mm and 60mm depths with a wide 22.5mm internal rim width. The team went through a lengthy aero study in the wind tunnel to come up with a rim shape that enhances the ‘new-age’ embrace of wide tires (25mm and 28mm), which cuts through the wind with a super-wide 35.5mm outer width.
The wide carbon rim is really what separates much of Hunt’s catalog from most other wheel manufacturers. It’s a sign the development team has been paying attention to the latest advancements in bike design, unlike many other European brands.
Our 48mm carbon rims are pre-taped for easy tubeless setup, and valves are included as well. The Hunts have a hooked rim, making most tube-type and tubeless tires compatible. Hunt uses a proprietary rim-wall design made up of a low-density polymer that is co-molded inside in place of solid carbon.
The Hunt hubs spin on standard EXO stainless steel bearings but have the option to be upgraded to CeramicSpeed bearings for $280. Keeping things simple maintenance-wise, the wheelset uses 20 bladed spokes and external nipples. One performance compromise with the Hunts is that all added material needed to make the rim wider comes with a rather hefty cost of weight. The wheelset hit the scales at 1711 grams. Hunt claims a max rider weight of 240 pounds.
THE RIDE
Hunt’s Limitless wheels provided a smooth and planted ride feel. The wide rim embraces our 28mm tire choice and provided a much more balanced approach for everyday riding than many other modern wheels we’ve tested.
We had few instances where we were afraid of damaging the rims on rough roads. The Hunts provided a level of confidence that their construction would hold up when the ride got bumpy. This also allowed us to take them on to gravel to open up more riding and improve the experience that we’d have on narrower wheels.
On long climbs, the rolling weight was hardly noticeable, but as the roads got steeper and speeds lower, we would have preferred some lighter-weight wheels. However, when the roads pointed downward, the buzz of the freehub and enhanced handling worked to our satisfaction as we sped down canyons and felt like we could lean further into corners than we usually do on narrower rims.
For us, the biggest takeaway while riding the Hunts were the benefits derived from the wider rim. After inflating our 28mm tires, they ballooned close to 30mm. This helped keep a solid patch of rubber on the road that maintained a planted ride over cracks and bumps. We ran 55–60 psi and noticed increased tracking through corners while descending at speed. While this may be confused with the bike being sluggish or less responsive, our post-ride analysis revealed similar times when compared to all-out efforts.
THE VERDICT
At their $1400 price point, the Hunt wheels provide a level of utility that is unmatched by most other wheel brands. As the industry has made the move to wider tires and rims, more and more riders are benefiting from the improved handling and control that higher air volume—not pressure—provides. For those cyclists looking for a wheel upgrade with an appreciable cost/benefit ratio, these Hunt Limitless Aero hoops should be on the list.
The Limitless Aero Discs are ideal for high-speed group rides and races, but may be a bit of a hindrance on long, low-speed climbs or rides with constant accelerations where the overall weight of the system may overpower the aero benefits. But, for those looking for more performance and many of the same modern design cues, Hunt offers the $1600 UD Carbon Spoke wheelset that come in at a claimed 1411 grams.
PUNCH LINES
• Optimized for wider tires
• Aero gains equal high performance
• Hefty weight but a solid value
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