Hunt has launched a new range of Aerodynamicist wheelsets that combine class-leading aero efficiency (backed up by wind-tunnel testing) with low weight, at a lower price than their industry-leading rivals. Could these be the performance wheels we’ve been waiting for?
The updated Aerodynamicist wheel line is being launched in three sizes: 34mm, and 44/46mm and 54/58mm-depth combinations.
The wheelsets have Enduro bearings as standard, as well as carbon and steel spoke options.
The new hooked rim design, which has been optimised for 28-30mm road tyres, comes with claimed weights from 1,175g and prices starting at £1,149.
All-new Aerodynamicist
The new in-house engineered Aerodynamicist range differs from the Sussex wheel specialist's high-end Limitless wheelsets. The new differential rim design is based around hooked rim profiles rather than hookless, a standard Hunt debuted back in 2016, alongside ENVE.
Going with a hooked design rather than hookless will be music to the ears of fans of clincher tyres. With brands still launching high-performance clincher tyres, the Aerodynamicist range could be the best option around.
Hunt's aim with the new wheelsets was to match the previous-generation Aerodynamicist wheels across all sizes, but now optimised for larger tyres (from 28 to 30mm).
The Aerodynamicist has been developed over three years, with 47,000 hours of computer processing time alongside lots of wind-tunnel testing.
Different sizes
The new rim profiles come with a 22mm internal width across all heights, although, like the Limitless, the external widths vary across the sizes. The front and rear profiles also differ.
Hunt’s senior design engineer, Patrick Brown, told us this not only improves aerodynamic efficiency, but also helps reduce the mass in the rims, bringing down overall weight across all models.
The largest of the trio comes with a 54mm-deep, 31.7mm-wide front rim and a 58mm-deep, 30mm-wide rear. The all-rounder option comes with a 44mm-deep front and 30mm width, and a 46mm-deep rear with the same 30mm external width.
The lightest option comes with 34.5mm-deep rims, both with a 28.4mm external width.
All wheels come with a 22mm internal rim width.
Options and weights
The new Aerodynamicist range is available with either UD Carbon spokes or triple-butted aero wing steel spokes.
All wheels come with Hunt’s hubs, constructed from lightweight 6066-T6 aluminium with a 7075-T6 alloy axle. The rear hub comes with the H Ratchet 40T DBL freehub system.
The dual-sided ratchet has a 40-tooth drive interface for a nine-degree engagement. Hunt says the ratchet requires less shell material compared to the standard pawl system, making for a lighter hub.
The hubs come equipped with Enduro’s steel ABEC 5 cartridge bearings.
As before, the Aerodynamicist is available in two build options – the premium version with UD Carbon bladed spokes and a standard model with triple-butted aero wing steel spokes.
- 54/58: 1,391g with carbon spokes, 1,468g with steel spokes
- 44/46: 1,274g with carbon spokes, 1,364g with steel spokes
- 34/34: 1,175g with carbon spokes, 1,264g with steel spokes
Proven faster
Hunt claims the new Aerodynamicist range, paired with a 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tyre, offers an average 1.4-watt (2%) saving compared to the previous models.
When benchmarked against industry-leading wheelsets, Hunt’s wind tunnel results were positive.
All the wheel sizes were tested in the wind tunnel using Mavic’s WAD (wind averaged drag) protocol to analyse the data. WAD is explained as "The time spent at any given yaw angle will be different, depending on the conditions and route".
To give a consistent method of combining these yaw angles into a single (WAD) value, Mavic has developed and published a ‘ponderation law’.
Wind angles over 15 degrees are unusual (and the WAD takes this into account), but this is a situation where the steering moment experienced by the rider is accentuated, leading to a feeling of instability.
Above 15-degree yaw angles, although experienced less often, it can have a significant effect on aerodynamic performance if stalling has occurred, leading to airflow detachment.
Wind tunnel results
In the shallowest 34/34 size, the Aerodynamicists were only outperformed in low aero drag (WAD) by Shimano’s Dura-Ace C36s, which bettered the Hunt wheels by 0.58W, although the Aerodynamicists weigh 172g less than Shimano’s 1,368g. The Hunts bettered Reserve’s 34/37, the DT Swiss ERC 1400 35, Campagnolo’s Bora Ultra WTC 35, Roval’s Alpinist CLX II and Mavic’s Cosmic 32.
In the 44/46 size, the Hunts topped the testing, besting Mavic’s Cosmic 45 SL, the ENVE Foundation 45, Zipp’s 353 NSW, the DT Swiss ERC 1400 45, Zipp's 303 Firecrest and 303s and Campagnolo's Bora WTO 45s. The difference between the top and bottom of the list, however, was a mere 2.47W (WAD). The Aerodynamicists are the lightest in this test group.
On the largest 54/58 wheels, the Aerodynamicist also topped the testing table, besting ENVE’s SES 4.5, Zipp’s 404 Firecrest, the Reserve 52/63, Shimano C50, Zipp 454 NSW and Roval’s Rapide CL II (round spoke version). The difference between the top and bottom of the range tested was 3.12W (WAD), and again, Hunt’s 54/48 was the lightest wheelset at this depth.
For a full run-down of the aerodynamic testing, head over to Hunt’s website to read the white paper that covers both results and testing protocols.
Hunt Aerodynamicist range pricing
- Hunt 34 34 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc: £1,149 / $1,449 / €1,399
- Hunt 34 34 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc: £1,549 / $1,949 / €1,899
- Hunt 44 46 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc: £1,179 / $1,479 / €1,439
- Hunt 44 46 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc: £1,579 / $1,979 / €1,939
- Hunt 54 58 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc: £1,199 / $1,499 / €1,459
- Hunt 56 58 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc: £1,599 / $1,999 / €1,959
