Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core MTB 29 Wheelset review

ReviewWheels

by Ross Demain March 11, 2025 1

Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core MTB 29 wheelset offers a fast, responsive ride feel that adds a directness and sprightliness.

• Brand: Hunt
• Product: Proven Carbon Trail H_Core MTB 29 Wheelset
• Price: £1,199
• From: Hunt Wheels
• Tested by: Ross for 4 months

We ran a news piece on the Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core wheels when they launched earlier in the year. Feel free to re-read it if you want a deep delve into the spec and all that.

In a nutshell though, H_Core is the name Hunt have given to a dense ring of carbon that lies between the rimbed and sidewall. This is an area that can be otherwise susceptible to voids (air pockets) in carbon rims. See the pics below.

In other developments, Hunt have introduced an ‘Anti-Splinter’ layup; a 10K weave layer (underneath a final UD carbon layer) that is designed to be resistant to micro-cracks.

It’s worth pointing out that if you’re not a fan of the rather bold white decals, you can go for Stealth Black option. Oh, and you can the wheels in full 29er or mixed-wheel pairings.

The rims are different front and rear: the front is 31mm internal width, the rear is 30mm. They’re both laced in a 2x spoke pattern and have 28 spokes. Again, the front and rear are a bit different: the front spokes are triple butted 2.0-1.6-2.0mm, the rear are 2.0-1.7-2.0mm. The idea being to offer more compliance(deflection up front.

The freehub is also new. Hunt call it the ‘S-RapidEngage’ and it’s a 90T ratchet with six double-tooth pawls, offering 2° angle of engagement. Regular freehubs are around 4-5°, for reference.

Installation

The wheels were fitted to a Privater 161 Gen2 and given that this test was done throughout the grimmest of the winter months the wheels were set up with a suitable pair of tyres – a Bontgrager G-Spike Team Issue on the front and a Maxxis Minion DHR Double Down on the rear.

The tyres were pretty tight to get on but nothing a standard plastic tyre lever couldn’t solve. Once on, they went up with a standard track pump. The wheels have held air as good as any tubeless setup does; just the usual topping every couple of rides. Upon post-test inspection the pre-installed rim tape has held with zero issues no bits coming loose or leaking air etc.

Riding the wheels

The wheels weigh in at 790g for the front and 940g for the rear with valves (and a smattering of dried sealant!) and unsurprisingly they spin up to speed well.

I came into this test straight from testing a set of Stans Flow MK4 and their neodymium magnet pawls which are some of the best rolling hubs I have used, and while the Hunt hubs at first seemed to have a little bit of drag when freewheeling, they soon loosened up and now roll along nicely and climb well.

Engagement on the S_Rapid hubs is fast and reliable. The 2° degree engagement gives very swift power transfer from your inputs, converting pedal strokes into momentum quickly and efficiently with no discernible lag or dead spots. This not only helps when cranking hard and sprinting, but also on technical climbing and descending, allowing you to put in half-pedal strokes when needed. 

If I had to sum up the overall feel of the Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core wheels in a couple of words then it would most likely be ‘precise and direct’. Where some carbon wheels proclaim to be compliant, and offer an alloy-like ride feel, these are much more ‘CARBON!’ feeling. 

Across fast and rough tracks the wheels have a definite stiff feeling, with no noticeable flex or give. They’re not harsh, but where some wheels add a sense of mutedness to the trail, the Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core lets you feel everything that’s going on under your wheels.

There’s no noticeable flex from the rims whether hitting fast turns or barreling across angled rocks and roots, which can occasionally end up in the front wheel being pinged around a little on awkward angled rocks or roots. But they keep a directness and your inputs are translated movements with no wallowing from the front – turn the bars or lean in and the wheels go where you want.

The wheels were fitted four months ago and have been ridden in some pretty awful weather and across some varied trails ranging from high speed chunky rock strewn tracks, to steep off-piste loamers and so far they’ve stood up to everything that they’ve been subjected to.

There have been more than a few bangs and clangs but the rims are still straight and true with just a few scuffs here and there as to be expected. While a few months isn’t really a long term test, so far the hubs are still spinning fast and free with no notchiness or signs of undue water ingress or wear.

Overall

The Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core won’t necessarily be for everyone. In the ever increasing search for ‘compliant’ wheels these are much more of a ‘traditional’ carbon wheel with the ride feel that goes with it. What they do offer though is a fast, responsive ride feel that adds a directness and sprightliness. They are well priced for a set of carbon wheels, come with a lifetime crash replacement on top of a 3 year warranty, and more than that, they seem to have struck a great balance of weight and strength. The combination of good weight and durability makes them a great option for everything from your short travel trail bike to your enduro bike making them a really versatile option.

Review Info

Ross Demain

Ad Sales Manager

Ross pairs his childlike excitement for bikes with a complete disregard for the wellbeing of his ribs, or his rims. Best known for riding cheeky trails, his time is also spent trail building in his local woods, drinking beer, eating pies and entertaining his two children.

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