Hunt XC Wide or DT Swiss 1900 wheels?

Hi all,

Can’t make my mind up here, the 1900s seem ‘entry level’ while the Hunt’s seem like good value — all in, each set is coming in around 400 euros. They’re replacing a pretty rubbish set of OEM wheels.

Advice/experiences with either welcome!

Cheers,

FM

Some people love the Hunt wheels, some people hate them. I’ve not heard any hate for the DT.

I have a new pair of DT Swiss Wheels for sale. Fitted to bike but never ridden. DT Swiss 350 Boost centre lock hubs, microspline, XR391 rims, competition spokes, hand built by local wheel builder, £350.

I have some Hunts, they break spokes, the rims are cracking round the spoke holes, they bend easily. I also have some DT swiss 1900 wheels they are fine. Even the ‘entry level’ 370 hubs are excellent. No question, DT swiss.

I assume the Hunt would be quite a bit lighter but if you want fit and forget then it’s DT Swiss all the way.

All of our Hunt wheels, maybe 5 pairs over the years and various bikes have all been fit and forget.

That’s it, they get mixed feedback. Not sure why? They’re about 300g lighter than the DT Swiss. I could afford the next models up (the 1700s, I think) but can’t find any with non-boost.

Hunt aren’t particularly great at wheels, just marketing. DT Swiss every time.

Thanks, apparently the DTs come with convertors, so without the new rotors, they’re almost 100 euros cheaper.

One thing, I’m pretty sure, but to check: I’m currently running a standard Eagle SRAM. On the website,  Get a choice — Shimano or SRAM XD. I want the Shimano, right?

Thanks again,

FM.

Hunt aren’t particularly great at wheels, just marketing. DT Swiss every time.

Marketing, insurance, and customer service company.

DT Swiss is a wheel company.

Hunt aren’t particularly great at wheels, just marketing.

I think they are probably quite a bit better than when they were just ordering catalogue parts (especially in the top end wheel sets)

Their customer service when things have a problem is pretty decent too.

For the record:

I’ve kicked the crap out of my Hunt Road & Gravel wheels, and a couple of things have gone wrong with them which they have fixed FOC.

The OEM DT Swiss I had on my Grizl buckled on my first  “proper” ride, but they only have 24 spokes, so what do you expect…

The DT wheels on my FS have been fine though.

I’ve still kept a pair of QR DT Swiss wheels I had the local shop make up for me (the hubs aren’t swappable) – “just in case”

Which set has the nicest decals?

One thing, I’m pretty sure, but to check: I’m currently running a standard Eagle SRAM. On the website,  Get a choice — Shimano or SRAM XD. I want the Shimano, right?

You really need to check what your current hubs are if you want to reuse the cassette.

I think its Shimano HG splined — basically the one lower end SRAM 12x’s use, right?

I normally only run DT Swiss out of habit as they don’t make cheap wheels, not even the latest 1900 which are now ratchet.

I also ran V2 Trail Wide which were as good, quite a lot lighter and totally reliable.

BUT perhaps the key difference is QC where DT Swiss may have high consistency where Hunt haven’t which may explain the mixed feedback.

I paid £140 for the pair of new M1900 in the Wiggle closing down thing which helped my decision 😂

@fatmountain check what size your smallest cassette cog is, 10 teeth will mean an XD driver, 11 teeth will be Shimano HG.

You’re not really comparing like-with-like, the DT Swiss ones weigh loads more – even Hunt’s Trail Wide’s (which are more ‘substantial’ that the XC Wide’s) are lighter than those.

I’ve the Trail Wide’s on my FS and they’ve had a proper battering over the last couple of years.  No issues.

If i wanted a set of wheels for lots of use and reliability I’d go for the DT swiss. For performance I’d go for hunt and take the risk.

I’ve got both types. Only one has needed repairing, twice. It was the DT swiss. Front bearings and I dinged the rear and had to straighten it.

There are other options in your price range. I’d look at fit wheels.eu for custom DTswiss. That will save a chunk of weight. Also check out just riding along. Similar money to hunt from memory.

My wife, 70kg, doesn’t ride that hard put a massive crack in her V1 Hunt Trail Wide rear rim a month out of warranty, which was annoying!

I’ve been running the DT Swiss 1900s on my FlareMAX for the past couple of years and, to be honest, they’ve just been sturdy, reliable, no-nonsense wheels, which is pretty much what you’d expect. I don’t think you can go far wrong with them as long as you’re not looking for a lightweight, zingy feel.

I have no experience with the Hunts, but the biggest difference here is that the Hunt wheels are significantly lighter – 1693g claimed versus around 2050g or so – you’d pay significantly more for a DT Swiss whee-set at that weight. It really depends on your priorities and whether you’re prepared to accept some – possible – reduction in robustness/reliability in exchange for lighter wheels, and that in turn depends on you, how you ride, your bike, your terrain, tyre preferences – not much point in saving 300g on wheels then sticking a downhill casing, super tacky on them – etc.

I’ll chip in with my experience (which I seem to post in every “Hunt vs X” thread!)..

I’ve got some XC wide (given to me by Hunt) that have been ACE… bashed them about on a rigis SS, and NO issues..

I’ve had Hunt trail wide v1 – literally the worst wheels i’ve used. dented and split after one ride at BPW..

Riding the Hunt Proven XC carbon on my Epic Evo… nice and light wheels, with rapid cassette pickup. The rear cracked after 2 rides, after riding through some roots… hmm…but was rebuilt and has been fine since. In a way, I wish I’d stumped up for some Reserve xc wheels…but hey ho..

DrP

Slight hijack, any feedback on the Hunt Trail Wide v2?

Vaguely considering them for a new mullet longer-travel trail bike build.

 the Hunt wheels are significantly lighter – 1693g claimed versus around 2050g or so – you’d pay significantly more for a DT Swiss whee-set at that weight. It really depends on your priorities and whether you’re prepared to accept some – possible – reduction in robustness/reliability in exchange for lighter wheels,

This was my take on Hunt, that they’re a good outfit to take a gamble on a lightweight product with because their CS is particularly strong. They’ve been very helpful when I’ve asked about spare for a hub they didn’t even sell before (potentially cross-compatible Novatec).

Also, to the OP – if you’re after non-boost why not just source a good condition used wheelset for cheaps?

Indeed if you’re after QR (unlikely I know) I have some Hope/Crest wheels right here that I need to sell.

I need boost at the front but 142 at the back.

I’m just going for the 1900s, I think.

Light wheels sound nice but generally, with only one bike, a broken rim means a week or two of no riding.

I have DT Swiss 1900, Trail Wide V2 and XC Wide.

The 1900s and the Trail Wides are very similar – I don’t really notice any difference between them when riding. Both have been totally reliable and have mounted tubeless tyres easily. Both have been ridden at BPW, Cwmcarn, Afan etc.

The XC Wides feel much more agile and springy – in a good way though. Coupled with some nice light tyres they feel lovely and nimble. But they are very much an XC wheel as the name suggests. I’d probably not use them at somewhere like BPW.

Just ordered some Trailwide V2s yesterday for my CRC bargains/old components Ragley.

I’ve got some DT XM481/Hope Pro 5 wheels on my other bike and I’d love another pair, but it’s a bit too much for me to spend right now.

I’ve read all the varying opinions on Hunt wheels, but between the 25% off sale and £40 off for new customers, they were £320 and seemed worth a punt. Time will tell…

That’s it, they get mixed feedback. Not sure why? They’re about 300g lighter than the DT Swiss. I could afford the next models up (the 1700s, I think) but can’t find any with non-boost.

@fatmountain I’ve got some E1700s for sale, non-boost. 15mmX100mm front, 142mmX12mm rear, Shimano HG, centre-lock. Brand new, came fitted to a bike and have been stored a couple of months but never ridden. Make me an offer I can’t refuse.

I have some XC wides (the previous model, not the latest mode, 25mm ID) since mid 2020, and they’ve been great. I’ve not had any issues with them, and love the rapid pick up. I’ve replaced the rear bearings once, after an especially (up to the hubs) wet ride.

I’m not especially hard on kit, nor the most aggressive rider, and these are on my ‘XC’ hardtail and probably have a fairly easy life. Equally though, I tend not to think about them, and they’ve been battered down plenty of South Downs Way type trails and not missed a beat.

Whaddabout XM 1700s?

Got a set of them for the kid’s bike last month for £420/£440

Seem ok.

Hoping they are given how shit DT aftersales via Madison is 😉

The freehub sealing is shite on hunt wheels

So many come through the workshop packed full of muck

The freehub sealing is shite on hunt wheels

This, when mine (Enduro wide V2) I got them looked at by the LBS and they tweaked so no issues in that regard, however as the chap above pointed out, the hubs, particularly the rear was a pig. Too many bearing changes for my liking. The seals are about as effective and as much use as indicators on a submarine.

Got a set of reserve wheels in DT hubs and the performance in terms of durability is way ahead.

Riding the Hunt Proven XC carbon on my Epic Evo… nice and light wheels, with rapid cassette pickup. The rear cracked after 2 rides, after riding through some roots… hmm…but was rebuilt and has been fine since. In a way, I wish I’d stumped up for some Reserve xc wheels…but hey ho..

@DrP – Can you tell me where they cracked, please? Mine are currently back with Hunt for inspection after the spokes started making an unusual noise (like they’re not correctly tensioned), but there is a white line all the way through the centre of the rim…which just could be from the mold – but who knows!

DT Swiss fit n forget