Aluminium Show | Hunt Introduces Three New Wheelsets Made from Recycled Carbon Fiber and Aluminium Alloys
According to the Aluminium Show, Hunt has unveiled a special wheelset, the Sustain Phase One, which incorporates recycled carbon fiber and aluminium alloy materials. The brand states that this move is aimed at reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance, making them the sole manufacturer currently utilizing recycled carbon fiber in wheelset production worldwide.
The development of these new wheels focuses on utilizing recycled materials, employing manufacturing processes with lower resource intensity, selecting specifications that emphasize sustainability, and reducing transportation distances to lessen environmental impact. Despite these efforts, the wheelsets deliver high specification components and performance. The Sustain Phase One is available in three versions: one featuring carbon rims and the other two with aluminium rims, all constructed using recycled materials and uncoated spokes, and crafted by hand in Europe.
Hunt assures that despite the use of recycled materials, there is no compromise on longevity or reliability, reflecting the brand's longstanding commitment to quality. Extensive testing and validation by the in-house engineering and development teams include full impact testing, 150% burst pressure testing at maximum PSI, and rigorous cobblestone rolling road tests conducted by professional riders.
Recycled carbon fiber undergoes a process that transforms it into a dense material, reinforced during molding to strengthen the outer and rim hook edge structure, enhancing impact resistance due to its multi-directional structure. The rims are molded using a unique resin transfer molding method instead of the traditional resin-infused carbon fiber prepreg. This enables easy recycling of the carbon trim without the need for refrigerated storage, further reducing energy consumption.
The Sustain Phase One 42 Carbon Disc Ti variant features Hunt's new Europa H_Ratchet Ti hub, CNC-machined in Belgium, and a 36T stainless steel ratchet ring providing a 10° engagement angle. The one-piece hub is made of grade 5 (6Al-4V) titanium, while the spokes are Sapim CX-Ray triple-butted.
The aluminium wheel models, Hunt Sustain Phase One-4 Season All-Road Discs, and Hunt Sustain Phase One-Trail Wide 29, are both crafted from 75% recycled aluminium alloys. This includes 30% from recycled post-consumer alloys such as beverage cans, and the remaining 45% from recycled industrial sector components such as edges and shavings from CNC machining. The 4 Season All-Road Disc model is also handmade, CNC-machined, and assembled in France, and is equipped with Zero Coat Sapim D-Light double-butted spokes suitable for road, gravel, and gravel bikes. The Hunt Sustain Phase One-Trail Wide 29 features a 30mm internal width and accommodates outer tires ranging from 2.2" to 2.6".