Recyclable, durable, high-performance gravel wheels
You’ve spent enough time on the road to know that every piece of gear has a story—every pedal stroke, every turn, every climb tells you something about what’s beneath you. The HUNT H_Cyclo wheels? They’re not just another cog in the machine; they’re a new chapter in the saga of carbon fiber cycling components.
Imagine a world where your high-performance wheels don’t just get tossed aside when they’ve run their course. Instead, they’re broken down, reconstituted, and given a second life. That’s what the folks at HUNT have pulled off. These H_Cyclo wheels aren’t just about ticking a sustainability box—they’re about rewriting the playbook on what’s possible with carbon fiber.
HUNT has found a way to recycle traditional thermoset carbon fiber, something the industry has been chasing for years. It’s not about replacing what’s been done; it’s about refining it. Traditional carbon wheels, with their stiff, responsive ride, have long been the gold standard. But the catch? Once those wheels are done, they’re done. Into the bin they go. Not with H_Cyclo. These wheels can be broken down into their core components—carbon fiber and resin—and used again. Same performance, new life.
This isn’t just some eco-friendly gimmick. HUNT’s tech keeps the best of what carbon wheels offer—stiffness, strength, and that perfect weight-to-rigidity ratio that serious cyclists demand. They borrowed tech from the wind turbine industry, applying a chemical process that reverts the resin to its original form, allowing both the resin and carbon fibers to be reused up to twenty times. This isn’t about making sacrifices for the environment; it’s about making smart choices that don’t compromise performance.
And the wheels themselves? They’re built for gravel, where resilience and reliability aren’t just buzzwords—they’re survival tactics. The HUNT 40 Carbon Gravel Race and the Carbon Gravel Dynamo, with a generator hub to keep your lights burning, are proof that you can have it all: top-tier performance with an eye toward the future.
HUNT’s taking responsibility here, too. They’ll handle the recycling process, free of charge, even if you’ve trashed the wheels in a crash. This isn’t just a product—it’s a commitment. You’re not just buying wheels; you’re buying into a cycle of sustainability that doesn’t compromise an ounce of what you expect from high-end gear.
So, if you’re the kind of rider who’s seen enough to know that every piece of gear matters, that how it’s made and where it ends up is just as important as how it rides, the H_Cyclo wheels are worth your attention. They’re a bold statement that performance and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive—they’re the future, and it’s about time.
Pros:
- Sustainability: HUNT H_Cyclo wheels are fully recyclable, addressing a significant environmental issue in the cycling industry by allowing carbon fiber and resin to be reused up to 20 times.
- Performance Retention: Despite being recyclable, these wheels maintain the stiffness, strength, and high strength-to-weight ratio of traditional thermoset carbon fiber wheels, ensuring no compromise in performance.
- Gravel-Specific Design: The wheels are specifically designed for gravel riding, with options like the Carbon Gravel Dynamo featuring a generator hub for powering lights, adding functionality for endurance riders.
- Lifecycle Responsibility: HUNT offers to handle the recycling process at the end of the wheels’ life cycle, even covering costs in the event of a crash, which is a strong commitment to both the rider and the environment.
- Proven Technology: The wheels are produced using established thermoset methods, borrowing technology from the wind turbine industry, ensuring reliability and maturity in the manufacturing process.
Cons:
- Limited Recycling Outputs: While the wheels can be recycled, the products made from the extracted materials are typically smaller and more limited in scope, such as cycling shoe soles or small components.
- Price Point: The wheels are positioned at a premium price ($1,399 to $1,849), which may be a barrier for some cyclists, especially considering the costs associated with high-end, recyclable technology.
- Specialized Use: These wheels are optimized for gravel riding, which may not appeal to all cyclists, particularly those focused on other disciplines like road racing or mountain biking.
- New Technology Risks: As with any new technology, there could be unforeseen challenges or limitations that arise over time, though HUNT’s established track record suggests this is minimized.
From $1,399
