New details about Hunt Bike Wheels - 22nd January 2015
We're proud and excited that today marks our official press launch of Hunt Bike Wheels. We are a new marque based in Sussex, UK and available world-wide, focusing on tubeless-ready road wheels for our launch. HuntBikeWheels was founded by Tom Marchment who has spent the last 12 years working with prominent bicycle companies, component brands and distributors in the UK.
Our aim is to bring you the latest practical technology and thinking in all things round. Range images and model specific details will be released in the coming weeks we are delighted to announce our range overview. Hunt will be launching with hand-built road alloy wheels and all models will be tubeless-ready.
Having tested tubeless extensively on and off road we know it answers many issues; noticeably improving ride quality, grip and puncture protection. We see tubeless-tyres as offering the greatest benefits for year round and winter-riding when poor road conditions and punctures are a major issue, hence several Hunt wheels are aimed at this type of riding.
Other contemporary features across our Hunt models include wide-rims of between 22 to 24 mm and disc brake options. Pricing for the launch range will be between £200 - £450 (US$300-675) with weights competitively low at 1395 to 1650 grams.
Our founder, Tom Marchment describes how the brand started:
"I’ve been working with my brother Peter at his company ITS Cycling Ltd since August 2014. We both knew the spec of the wheels we wanted to ride ourselves but they weren't easily available from other wheel brands. We ideally wanted to buy from a wheel company that we could contact directly to get help and spares if needed. Then we thought; there are loads of other riders we know that want the same, here’s an opportunity to use our expertise and customer service skills to help, and of course we kind of love of cycling…a lot."
We started the HuntBikeWheels project in September last year with sourcing, development and testing work being carried out throughout the British Autumn and Winter.
Hunt Bike Wheels will be available to order through your local bike shop, trade enquiries through www.ITSCycling.co.uk, or to purchase directly at www.HuntBikeWheels.com, with low cost international shipping available. This combined business model is becoming more commonplace and the efficiency it allows means we are able to invest more in the details and significantly increase the specification of each component. Direct customer service is also available on the phone, email and even in person at our office in Sussex.
Hunt Bike Wheels will be available to order through your local bike shop, trade enquiries through www.ITSCycling.co.uk, or to purchase directly at www.HuntBikeWheels.com, with low cost international shipping available. This combined business model is becoming more commonplace and the efficiency it allows means we are able to invest more in the details and significantly increase the specification of each component. Direct customer service is also available on the phone, email and even in person at our office in Sussex.
Why 'Hunt'?
Hunt is a play on the thrill and excitement of ‘The Chase’ when riding, however it actually originated from the drive we had to ‘Hunt’ for every improvement in the rims, hubs, spokes, bearings, nipples and QRs, such as using precision double contact sealed bearings by EZO Japan.
All Hunt Bike Wheels are built using high-spec spokes from specialists Pillar. We have chosen Pillar's top of the range triple-butted round and aero versions, which are cold-drawn from Swedish Sandvik Stainless Steel T302 wire and feature Pillar’s patented PSR spoke head re-enforcement. PSR spokes are butted again just before the spoke head providing more material in this high stress area. These spokes cost more but the triple butting provides a great ride and the PSR adds extra durability over standard spokes
The first wheel to be available from Hunt is a collaboration with the new, but already widely talked about, Mason Progressive Cycles seeMasonCycles.cc. After his 15 years heading up the Kinesis UK brand Dom Mason started Mason Cycles to develop “small batch, quality crafted and detailed bicycles ”.
“Some very special wheels were required for our first bikes, so we worked with the wheel fanatics at Hunt. They’ve developed the MASON x HUNT Four Season Disc road wheelset. It's absolutely perfect for my four season performance bikes”. - Dom Mason, Mason Progressive Cycles
“We were delighted when Dom asked us to help him with wheels. The innovation and incredible detail apparent in each Mason bike meant we really enjoyed creating wheels to truly complement the Mason bicycles”. - Tom Marchment, HuntBikeWheels
More details for our collaboration wheels will be released very shortly. Hunt are expecting stock of the Mason Four Season Disc wheels in March with rim brake models following in April.
The Chase Is On.