Hunt’s newest 40 Limitless Gravel Aero tries to string the needle by aero, broad, and sensible. Should you haven’t guessed it, new Hunt gravel wheels are wider than their outgoing mannequin, however with out going overboard. After months of real-world abuse racing, touring, and practically all gravel classes, these guys are greater than a pattern wheel. The Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel wheels grew to become considered one of my favourite wheelsets of the 12 months, and they’re much greater than a one-trick pony.
What Are They? Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero
Hunt’s earlier 42 Limitless model rode properly for its time. It was aero, modernly broad (with a 25 mm inner width), and had sufficient zing to hit the forest singletrack with no again harm. So why change them? Effectively, they had been barely deep (42mm), however the true push was tire optimization. The 42 Limitless had been optimized for tires starting from 38 to 42 mm, and in the event you observe the gravel world, the arms race of becoming bigger (45-55mm) tires with out lightbulbing on the rim is quickly evolving. Therefore, the push for a “do-most” gravel wheel, one that might go to the broad facet of life with out alienating itself just like the Zipp XPLR 303 SW.
Width That Works
The 40 Limitless arrives with a reasonably aggressive spec: 27 mm inner entrance / 26 mm inner rear, hookless rim design, a revamped hub, and rim shapes are tuned for 40–45mm rubber – however completely cool with 50mm (IMO).
The Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero rim width supplies simply sufficient room for contemporary gravel rubber with out compromising sidewall help. It’s broad however not absurd, enhancing the experience somewhat than taking away from it. For instance, in crosswinds, the wheels really feel planted, not twitchy, or floppy. On the sensible facet, the outer rim wall has a slight flare, which provides impression resistance, and the squared-off bead platform helps resist pinch flats.
Weight & Hub Upgrades
For wheels this deep and broad, they’re aggressive in weight. The brand new rear hub feels tighter and extra responsive than previous variations. Hunt backs their claims with wind-tunnel knowledge, proving these rims carry out properly with 40–45 mm tires at “grave race speeds”. And sure — while you’re rolling at a fast clip, you may really feel the features versus extra shallow gravel hoops. Now, with out the cruel experience that accompanies many deep-dish and mega stiff gravel wheels.
On the street, what jumps out straight away is how planted these wheels really feel when issues get quick. In facet winds, the entrance finish stays predictable — none of that ‘sail impact’ you get with deeper carbon. Hunt’s CFD work clearly paid off; they’ve tuned the rim form to scale back turbulence round large-volume tires, so that you get free pace with out twitchy dealing with.
Perhaps Some Limits
Tubeless setup might be finicky with some tires. These hookless bead seats demand consideration (possibly some bead wax for those who abide), however solely from just a few tire producers. Count on some effort getting sure tires seated cleanly, however now that is nitpicking. Additionally, don’t count on this wheelset to be all issues to your street bike both. Sure, it’s a killer wheelset, and you may push barely previous the suggestions for tire measurement. However you’re not gonna have an amazing expertise with a 32 or 28mm street tire…simply wished to place that on the market. For that tire measurement, take a look at the Hunt 40 Carbon Disc Wheelset ($766 for the set proper now). The 22mm inner and 30mm exterior widths will kind out the 28-35mm tires.
Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero Wheelset — Tech Specs
Rim Depth: 40 mm entrance / 41 mm rear
Exterior Width: 36 mm (entrance) / 35 mm (rear)
Inside Width: 27 mm (entrance) / 26 mm (rear)
Bead: 4.65mm
Rim Building: UD Carbon, hookless, gravel-aero profile
Wheel Dimension / ETRTO: 700c (622 × 26–27)
Weight: 1460g* per set, precise, vs.1328 g per set (carbon-spoke model)
Spoke Choices:
Carbon TaperLock UD spokes — 20 entrance / 20 rear
Metal spokes — 24 entrance / 24 rear (Examined*)
Hub System: H_Ratchet DBL hub with 48-tooth ratchet (~7.5° engagement)
Bearings: Double-sealed stainless-steel cartridge bearings (normal)
Optionally available improve to CeramicSpeed-coated bearings
Tire Compatibility: Tubeless-ready hookless rim
Brake Compatibility: Disc brake – centerlock mount
Valve Stem: 50 mm alloy tubeless valve (included)
Value: $1,479 USD (steel-spoke model examined*)
Guarantee: Lifetime + 5-year incident alternative
Balanced and Assured
On the street and within the gravel, the acceleration of the Hunt Limitless 40 is snappy. Even with 40mm+ tires, the stiffness sits in that comfortable center floor — inflexible sufficient to nook arduous, compliant sufficient to not rattle your fillings free. On pavement, they hum quietly and roll quick, feeling each bit like a devoted street aero wheel. On gravel, the broad channel helps tires superbly, protecting form and traction constant at decrease pressures.
Might they be lighter? Positive — just a few carbon-spoked wheelsets beat them on paper, however probably not that a lot (possibly 100g). However right here’s the trade-off: make a wheelset ultralight, and also you usually lose stiffness and sturdiness. I’ll take Hunt’s steel-spoke model, with a stability of weight and utility most days, particularly when touring on the street.
At $1,849 (now 20% off!), they’re not the kinda wheel you buy on a whim. They do include a killer Lifetime + 5-year incident alternative guarantee, and that all the time softens the blow for me. Should you’re a gravel racer, that is likely to be well worth the value of admission alone. Plus, you get wheel baggage, valves, and a few further spokes – simply because…stuff occurs.
The Verdict
The Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero hits that candy center: aerodynamic features you may really really feel, sturdiness that doesn’t give up, and width that performs properly with trendy tires. For the value, you’re getting a race-ready aero gravel wheelset that doesn’t require babying — and one which looks like a street race wheel.
The Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero wheels strike a considerate stability. They don’t chase the “widest” crown, however they push what was ultra-wide right into a realm that works with most trendy gravel setups. They mix actual aero features, usable stability, and race-grade polish in a package deal that doesn’t really feel like overkill.
Should you’re after a wheel that bridges the hole between shred-ready gravel and aero-adjacent efficiency, these are price an extended look. For everybody else, the compromises are manageable, and the experience is compelling sufficient to persuade most.
