Hunt Wheels – should I avoid?

[cool_hand]

Have been considering upgrading my wheel-set to Hunt 4 Season (rim-brake), however I've seen quite a bit of negative commentary online.
For example the bike mechanic on Cade Media:

View: https://youtu.be/WuJRNbSkb_E?t=186

said to avoid as they get tons of problems with them.
Hambini also gave them the thumbs down:

View: https://youtu.be/Zsl6Mg6B2zM

It appears the main issue is bearing/hub failure.
I do find the general spec. and look of the wheels very appealing but I'm a sucker for design, branding and marketing hype.
Perhaps a custom build using the same hubs but alternative bearings is an option.
I'm on a budget so anything over the cost of the 4 Seasons are not going to be an option, I'm also a heavy rider.
Should I take my chances on the Hunts or avoid?
Suggestions and opinions welcome.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

They are not cheap wheels, if on budget why not get Spa to build up some strong wheels for you.

 

[wafter]

No direct experience but the general internet rhetoric is that they're cheap generic Chinese bits with slick marketing and a fat price for the privilege.

Cade's stuff generally seems straight-up, so if by extension the guy from the shop can be trusted and says they see a lot of problems I'd take heed. Likewise I generally trust Hambini's opinion / usually argree with his criticisms from an engineering standpoint when they're within the sphere of my understanding.... so yes - I'd avoid them tbh.

 

[Drago]

Ive tried them all over the years, and its DT Swiss all the way for me when buying wheels now.

 

[cool_hand]

They are not cheap wheels, if on budget why not get Spa to build up some strong wheels for you.

Yes that is an option; my impression is a Spa build won't save that much over the Hunts although the upside is I can have a similar wheel with a custom spec.

 

[kingrollo]

I got Merlin's own brand carbon wheels -probably heavier than the premium bands -but they have been fine for me for £500

 

[Venod]

Yes that is an option; my impression is a Spa build won't save that much over the Hunts although the upside is I can have a similar wheel with a custom spec.

The guys at Spa don't always get a good report for customer service friendliness etc, but my experience is completely opposite, I have never bought any wheels from them (I build my own) but I have bought a frame and loads of spokes, I would have no hesitation in buying a pair of their wheels, a lot of experience of wheel building at Spa.

 

[fossyant]

From personal experience, Mavic have been my go to wheels for a long time, fit and forget, and you just don't need to service them.

Shimano hubs are great for general maintenance, cup cone, easy to re-grease.

Fulcrum generally fit cheap one side sealed bearings, but for a few quid you can upgrade these to better quality when the time comes and it's a doddle. Hubs and freehub run on cartridge bearings so all can be changed. Same with some Formula hubs I have, and even Superstar. The rear fornula hub sits on my FS MTB and has had some abuse, but maintenance and bearing changes is simple.

 

[T4tomo]

Hunt are heavily marketed and sell on look and feel over quality, but clearly a step up from OEM stock wheels supplied on a lot of bikes.

A set of handbuilts are probably your best bang for buck in your budget, usual suspects are (but you may have local specialist)

• SPA
• DCR
• superstar components (may have stopped doing wheels now)

but then also maybe a bargain to be had on soe ready builts, Wiggles' Prime own brand are decent, fulcrum, Dt swiss, Mavic all worth looking at.

What sort of bike / riding is it for - 4 seasons are a gravel / winter training "style" wheel, all you say is rim brake?

what sort of budget?

 

[DCLane]

What's your budget? If it's in Hunt's price range you might want to look at hand-built specialist. Son no. 2 has carbon wheels from both Zed and NR6 and both are great.

@T4tomo - Superstar have stopped unfortunately, apparently due to spoke supply issues.

 

[cool_hand]

From personal experience, Mavic have been my go to wheels for a long time, fit and forget, and you just don't need to service them.

I have some Aksium on my other bike which were upgrade to the the stock wheels – I liked them until I started to get a ticking noise from the back wheel (I'm assuming the hub). I serviced the hub but that didn't resolve and the bearing don't display any wear/movement although I suspect they maybe the source of the noise – I've googled and it's a common issue but could not find a solution - took the wheel to local bike-shop - they couldn't see anything. Tried some other things but ended up putting my old wheel back on as it drove me nuts. My experience has put me off purchasing Mavic again.

 

[cougie uk]

I've had Hunt for a couple of years and they're lightyears ahead of the fulcrums they replaced that needed new bearings after six months or so.

A lot of YouTubers criticise brands - that's how they get their views.

 

[cool_hand]

Hunt are heavily marketed and sell on look and feel over quality, but clearly a step up from OEM stock wheels supplied on a lot of bikes…

What sort of bike / riding is it for - 4 seasons are a gravel / winter training "style" wheel, all you say is rim brake?

what sort of budget?

The 4 Seasons I'm looking at are marketed as Road Wheels:
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/products/hunt-4season-aero-road-wheelset-1589g-28deep-22wide

I have a Ti Road bike. My budget is £300 although it looks like I'm going to have stretch that budget a little higher.

 

[cool_hand]

What's your budget? If it's in Hunt's price range you might want to look at hand-built specialist. Son no. 2 has carbon wheels from both Zed and NR6 and both are great.

£300/£350 – who is Son no. 2? I would prefer to purchase alloy wheels TBH.

 

[T4tomo]

I've had Hunt for a couple of years and they're lightyears ahead of the fulcrums they replaced that needed new bearings after six months or so.

A lot of YouTubers criticise brands - that's how they get their views.

"fulcrums" covers fair old range from fairly basic stuff that planet X (amongst others) fit to most of their bikes and some much better stuff like Racing 5's and upwards (or downwards in number terms, i.e. Racing 3s are better)