Carbon-fibre rims make for the best balance of strength-to-weight and ride comfort. There are valid reasons why carbon-fibre wheels have become so popular amongst off-road cyclist, despite their cost premium. Rotational mass matters, and with carbon-fibre rims, wheel builders can create lighter wheels that roll faster, without sacrificing robustness. 

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The other significant benefit of carbon-fibre rims is the engineering potential of the composite structure. Unlike the atomic structure of alloy rims, carbon-fibre allows engineers to orient specific layers and sections of fibre in different directions and angles, creating incredibly strong wheels, with terrific vertical compliance – absorbing more terrain harshness and vibration, especially on corrugated gravel roads. 

For all the benefits of carbon-fibre, its production process is troubling, with little possibility of recycling – especially if a rim is damaged. Once carbon-fibre rims are created, they are nearly impossible to recycle. The resin that binds and sets the carbon-weave source material is a forever chemical bond. But Hunt has a solution. 

Separating the carbon 

Sustainable use pressure from outside the cycling industry has created innovation to address the issue of carbon-fibre recycling, especially in the wind turbine supply chain. Hunt has embraced the latest advances in sustainable carbon-fibre with its H_Cyclo technology. 

The solution is CleaVER (no pun), a chemical agent capable of separating resin and carbon-fibre, in a rim structure. The resin and carbon-fibre separated by applying heat, mechanical agitation, and the CleaVER chemical solution, allowing reuse. 

hunt h cyclo gravel race.png, by Liam Mercer

For riders who want to embrace the idea of true circular sourcing carbon-fibre gravel bike wheels, Hunt offers two options featuring its new H_Cyclo technology fibres. The 40 Carbon Gravel Race wheelset features a rim geometry that measures 40mm deep, with a 25mm internal diameter. It weighs 1,431g and is priced at £,1099. 

Gravel riders who desire electric output can opt for the 40 Carbon Gravel Dynamo wheelset (£1,489), featuring an H_Ratchet 40T rear hub and SON 28 Dynamo front hub. The total wheelset weight of 1,834g is more than the 40 Carbon Gravel Race version, but you get that front dynamo, which is good for a 28.3 watts/six-volt. Rim dimensions are unchanged, with the same 40mm depth and 25mm internal diameter as the 40 Carbon Gravel Race wheels. 

Troubled by the idea that a rock strike might mean an entire rim ending up in a landfill? The recyclability of Hunt’s H_Cyclo technology carbon-fibre processing could be a compelling part of your purchasing decision and wheelset ownership rationale. 

• www.huntbikewheels.com

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