Hunt has debuted its latest gravel specific wheelset called the 42 Limitless, claiming it has “the lowest aerodynamic drag among tested gravel-specific wheelsets under 50mm depth, offering the rider up to 16.8 watt savings over non-aero gravel wheels.”
As its name suggests, the new 42 Limitless has a rim depth of 42mm deep, along with a width of 32mm that’s been optimized for tires ranging from 38mm to a whopping 54mm.
To bolster its claims of being the fastest gravel specific wheelset under 50mm, Hunt has produced wind tunnel data showing that the 42 Limitless can provided a power savings of 0.05w over Zipp’s 303 NSW wheelset at 32km/h, which is the equivalent of 5.57s over 321km, while the same metric increases to a 13.07s saving when compared to Enve’s 3.4 AR SES wheelset.
“Thanks to an extremely wide rim profile with a truncated edge (blunted spoke bed) that helps airflow remain attached to the system, while also maintaining low overall weight, the 42 Limitless provides day-in and day-out performance and durability on the harshest gravel roads,” says Hunt.
The 42 Limitless is constructed using what Hunt refers to as “a patented Limitless Technology that relies on a co-molded low-density polymer (density of 0.7g/cm3 vs. carbo fiber pre-preg of 1.6g/cm3) in the outer rim construction”, adding, “that’s designed to keep the overall rim weight low while allowing for extra width in the rim profile.”
The hubs themselves comprise aluminum shells, along with CeramicSpeed bearings and the brand’s FastEngage system, which Hunt says provide an engagement rate of 7.5º thanks to multi-point pawls and 48 ratchets in the hub shell.
“Designed for off-road use with new coated bearings that are 75% tougher than their standard hardened steel races, as well as provide an average lifetime that’s seven and a half times longer than other non-coated solutions,” says Hunt.
Additionally, the 42 Limitless wheels feature a hooked ETRTO-compliant tubeless-ready rim design, making them compatible with both tubeless and clincher tires.
To further enforce its aerodynamic claims, Hunt has provided the above graph, stating, “Limitless Technology delivers industry-leading crosswind stability verified by smooth steering moment data proven in wind tunnel testing. Also, on unsheltered roads, the rider will likely spend less energy fighting against crosswinds, leading to a faster, more comfortable, and more efficient ride.”
The 42 Limitless wheelset sells for $1,619, which comes with Hunt’s H-Care lifetime crash replacement warranty for the original owner, with availability starting in February 2021.
Hunt
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