Their Aerodynamicist range seems like a great value pick for some aero wheels that check a lot of boxes (hooked rims, optimized for 30mm tires, wing spokes, good price), so the only potential catch feels like the hubs. DT 350 hubs get a lot of love around here, and I am assuming these Hunt hubs are post-patent knockoffs. Is the design the key to the great performance and durability (such that these Hunt hubs will perform similarly) or is manufacturing tolerance and so on more important (i.e. it was never about the ratchet that made DT350s special). I suspect a little of both, but I’d love any perspectives or personal experiences with these hubs.
Thanks!
I have some 44/46 Areodynamicist wheels. They certainly do check all the boxes, which is why I purchased them. They ride great, sound great (if you like the sound of I9’s or Chris King’s), and the price is competitive. I do find however their replacement bearings are not always in stock on their site (although easy to find elsewhere) and their documentation on replacing them is horrible (compared to Industry Nine).
For me, they are great training/winter wheels and my primary use case. I did purchase some I9 wheels with the Solix hubs for dry weather riding, racing, etc. The I9’s have better hubs and WAY easier to get replacement bearings (and their docs and videos are solid if you are home wrenching). The I9 bearings do tend to wear quicker, though. Perhaps Chris King or DT Swiss is better if that’s a concern?
Hope that helps.
I’ve fitted >30 pairs of Hunts with the new ratchet style hub, definitely and improvement on their pawl hubs I think.
The only issue I’ve found is how difficult it is to remove the ratchet ring that screws into the hub. On a par with the DT swiss ones, even when using the Hunt tool.