HUNT Enduro V3 Wheelset

HUNT had a proper task at hand when they developed their latest Enduro V3 alloy wheels. How do you build on a tried-and-true wheel like the Enduro Wide V2? It’s actually pretty easy from the consumer perspective: make it even more durable while keeping it affordable. And that’s just what HUNT did. The Enduro V3 maintains a competitive $705 price tag and is HUNT’s strongest alloy wheelset to date—a claim that we took pleasure in substantiating over the past six months.

Highlights

• G609 aluminum alloy rim with shot-peened finish
• Hand-built
• Sold as a set: 29”, 27.5”, MX
• Front & rear specific rim profile
  • 31.5mm front rim internal width
  • 30mm rear rim internal width
• Boost 12x148 rear axle // Boost 110x15 front axle
• 28 spoke front, 32 spoke rear
• 6-bolt hubs with Enduro ABEC5 LLU bearings
• H_Ratchet XL hub rear hub, 9° of engagement, e-bike rated
• SRAM XD, Shimano Microspline, Shimano HG freehub options
• J-Bend triple-butted spokes with brass nipples
• 3-year manufacturer warranty
• Weight: 2096 grams
• MSRP: $749

Product Overview

There are two key updates that have boosted the impact resistance of the Enduro V3 over the outgoing Enduro Wide V2. First, the rim material was changed from 6061 to G609 alloy, resulting in a 30% increase in tensile strength. Second, HUNT conducted extensive FEA simulations to dial in the geometry and wall thickness of the front- and rear-specific rims. The sum of these changes netted a 40% reduction in peak spoke pull-through stress and a higher energy threshold for initial rim damage.

You might have noticed wide was removed from the name. Before, the front and rear rim internal widths were 33mm and 31mm, respectively. Now, they’re 31.5mm and 30mm. They’re still on the wide side, but are more within range of current enduro wheels. Rim depth has also grown in the rear, going from 19 to 21mm. If you aren’t familiar with rim-specific performance, the idea is to create a more compliant front rim to improve traction and control, and a stronger rear rim that can withstand some hits.

HUNT sells the Enduro V3 as complete sets in 29”, 27.5”, and mixed for $749 USD. Rear spoke count is 32 and front is 28. They only offer Boost 148x12mm (rear) with 110x15mm (front) spacing, along with Shimano/SRAM freehubs. Wheels come taped and ready for tubeless setup, along with 40mm-long valves and extra spokes and nipples.

More information on the V3’s development, testing, and details can be found in the launch press release if you’re looking to dive deeper.

How Do They Compare?

Affordable, durable alloy wheels have become quite popular. And with them, so have lifetime warranties on alloy. Unfortunately, the HUNT Enduro V3s don’t include a warranty that covers damage caused out on the trail. They are backed by a 3-year manufacturer's warranty, however.

As for price and weight, the Enduro V3 sits competitively against other alloy wheels:

• HUNT Enduro V3 - $750 - 2,100g
• Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro 2.0 - $700- $900 - 2,087g
• TENET Coven AL - $698 - 2,185g
• Reserve 30|HD Aluminum - $700 - 2,000g
• RaceFace Turbine - $837 - 1,865g

On The Trail

Ride Quality

Falling on the more compliant side for an enduro wheelset, the wheels delivered a soft ride quality without going so far as to diminish control. We tested primarily on hardpack, loose over hardpack, and rocky trails. Conditions that favor more forgiving wheels that can filter out impacts. The Enduro V3s shined on fast, rough trails, soaking up larger bumps and allowing us to hold lines with ease. The extra compliance also kept our bike composed over rocks, with zero wheel deflection. They were one of the most comfortable wheels we’ve ridden, and we could see them performing well on rooty, slippery trails where traction is crucial.

The downside of a very forgiving wheelset is that they might not be stiff enough for some riders. For those looking for a more stout feeling set of alloy wheels, we’d recommend Crankbrothers Synthesis 2.0 wheels. They ride stiff and precise without being uncomfortable. Or, carbon is probably the best solution for those who really prioritize responsiveness.  

Durability

The wheels have made it through a long summer of testing with only minor dents and wobbles. Wear and tear that is well within the acceptable window of use after so much riding. Our track record for breaking wheels is pretty solid, and the Enduro V3s are among the few to have made it out the other side without cracking or acquiring any major dents. Impressive.

However, they have required more frequent maintenance to keep spoke tension within tolerance. Aluminum wheels usually need more love to keep spinning true than carbon wheels. But the Enduro V3 wheels have slowly needed more and more attention as we’ve ridden them, getting to the point where we have to check tension before every ride. For this reason, durability was docked half a point.

Hub Performance

HUNT’s H_Ratchet XL hubs roll quickly and quietly while still maintaining good engagement. All the bearings are spinning crisply, and we don’t see any signs of excessive wear around the axle or ratchet teeth. There isn’t much more you can ask for from hubs. It’s also worth mentioning that the rear hub is safe to use with e-bikes up to 120 Nm of torque.

Value

When buying new wheels, we consider a few things: cost, warranty options, and durability. Wheels are a tough segment because, regardless of the wheel, there is a good chance they will break at some point. The V3s are well-priced and can take a beating, but given that other alloy wheels offer more substantial warranties, we’d struggle to spend our money on them. If they had a lifetime warranty, the V3s would be at the top of our list for wheelsets to buy. 

What’s The Bottom Line?

The Enduro V3 wheels are one of the most comfortable wheelsets we’ve tested, giving them a calm and comfy ride quality that equates to control and traction. They aren’t the stiffest wheels out there, and for our unpredictable trail conditions, that was a good thing. HUNT put a lot of time into elevating rim durability, and the minimal dents on our test wheels is proof of that hard work. Even though they required some extra love to keep spokes tight and wheels true, the V3s survived impacts that many other wheels would have failed under. The biggest drawback riders will have to consider is that the Enduro V3s lack a lifetime warranty, unlike many other alloy wheels on the market today.

Score Breakdown

• Ride Quality: 4.5
• Durability: 3.75
• Hub Performance: 4.5
• Weight: 4.5
• Value: 3.5
• Overall Score:  4.15

(Scores out of 5)

Tested By:

Mikey Egan - Age: 21 // Years Riding MTB: 6 // Height: 5'9' (1.75m) // Weight: 170-pounds (72.6kg)

Obsessed with anything with wheels, Mikey has been born and raised in SoCal. You can usually find him at the beach or on top of a mountain. As a young kid, he rode BMX bikes as much as he could. Now a bigger kid, he has now grown fond of suffering on his road bike and getting sketchy with friends on his trail bike. He loves to ask questions and tinker with bike setup until it's perfect.