Hunt’s Enduro Wide MTB 29er wheelset is built to do-it-all: trail rides, all-day epics, and still smash through the gnar. And of course, still, conquer the climbs.
Price: $469
Star Rating: ★★★★★
What I like: Tough; good build quality; subtle looks; 33/31mm width; largely forgettable
What I’d change: Not much, but I’d personally pay extra for a silent rear hub
My call: Based on their price and performance, Hunt’s Enduro Wide wheels are an outright bargain in a sea of carbon, hyped-up, overpriced wheelsets.
Specs:
- Rims | 6069 T6 aluminum welded construction, 33mm/31mm wide (internal)
- Hubs | Large body NDRO front hub and 5 degree RapidEngage rear hub
- Spokes | 28F/32R Spoke Count, Triple Butted (2.2-1.8-2.0) PSR reinforced Pillar Spokes.
- Weight | 2105g
Hunt Enduro Wide MTB 29er wheelset set up
Hunt Enduro Wide wheels have spent time on two different bikes, a seriously impressive Trek Top Fuel 9.9 and a much more down-to-earth, much more clapped-out Polygon Siskiu.
The tires used included a 2.4-inch Bontrager XR4, a 2.3-inch Maxxis Minion DHRII, and a 2.3-inch Maxxis High Roller. Tire pressures ranged from 21-25psi in front, and 23-38psi out back. No inserts were used.
Hunt Enduro Wide MTB 29er wheelset rides
The rides and trails were in the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver, CO, and consisted of janky, chunky trail rides with a few truck shuttle days thrown in. Typical terrain consisted of dry, loose sandy soil mixed with tons of loose, jagged rock, with lots of dropped heel straight lining and missed gaps.
Riding Hunt’s Enduro Wide wheels made me think of all things they’re not. They’re not noodles, not harsh, not loud, not flashy. They presented zero issues. They were largely forgettable; that’s what makes them so impressive.
I loved the fact that every tire I used set up tubeless with just a floor pump and whatever random mix of sealant I had sitting around. Zero struggles, so easily done I forgot about it.
I liked the stealthy, all-black, minimal logo look. The days of trying to show off how much money I just blew on bike stuff are far behind me.
I liked the muted freehub sound. Hunt’s six-pawl freehub does engage decently fast at every five degrees, but equally important to me, doesn’t buzz incessantly. While riding, I like hearing what my tires are doing. Even more, I like being able to hear what my daughter’s saying when she’s leading the way.
I liked how the Hunts rode as well. The 33mm inner front rim width is near perfect when paired with 2.3-2.5-inch tires.
Punching into turns and loading the bike was met with a good, predictable response. The Trail Wide wheels proved plenty stiff for my 195-pound riding weight.
Despite riding sloppy into chunky rocks and roots, the aluminum rims roll on dent free as well.
Are they as precise as some carbon super hoops? No, but at a quarter of the cost, the Hunts more than hold their own.
They’re not nearly as harsh either. I chalk that up to Hunt’s use of fancy triple-butted spokes. Sure, triple-butt might make the kid in you laugh, but it’s a smart wheel feature. It means the width of the spoke varies three times within the length of the spoke. In Hunt’s case, the end by the rim (attached to the nipple) is 2.2mm, the middle tapers down to 1.8mm, and the end at the hub bumps up to 2.0mm. Butting of the spokes saves weight, but more importantly, gives a bit of forgiveness to the wheel’s ride.
Hunt Enduro Wide MTB 29er wheelset: Final Word
Hunt Enduro Wide 29er wheels are one of those rare MTB products that I’d recommend to new riders as well as hard-charging seasoned rippers.
At $449, the price is so attainable, that I’ll call it an outright bargain. Yet, the rim width, quick-engaging hub, and robustness of the wheelset make it a good choice for long-time, discerning riders.
They’re the opposite of flashy, and no-one will notice how loud the freehub is, but with the money and maintenance you’ve saved, you’ll have the time and coin to go on a MTB trip.