HUNT Proven Trail H_Core Wheelset

Hunt launched their Proven series of carbon wheelsets in 2022, with the range initially comprising the Race XC and Enduro H_Core models. Built around the same rim tech tuned for different applications, the Proven series also benefits from Hunt’s H_Care lifetime crash replacement coverage for the initial owner. Earlier this year, a dedicated trail model joined the line-up, appropriately named Proven Trail H_Core. Here’s what we think of this new wheelset after about 3.5 months of trail time.

Hunt Proven Trail H_Core Carbon Wheelset Highlights

• Hookless, front 31mm rear 30mm internal rim width, 38mm external and 22mm depth
• 4mm rear rim side wall/bead width for added pinch flat puncture resistance
• Asymmetric profile reduces spoke tension differential for improved long term wheel build durability
• H_Core internal carbon insert, designed to increase fiber density and boost strength for demanding trail use
• Tubeless-ready – designed to work perfectly with either tubeless tires or with inner tubes, tubeless rim tape and valves included
• HUNT Anti-Splinter layup boosts resistance to micro cracks
• H-lock bead-seat up-kicks for easy and secure tubeless installation
• Triple butted stainless steel Pillar spokes, 2.0-1.6-2.0 front and 2.0-1.7-2.0 rear (then 2.2 at the head for the patented Pillar spoke re-enforcement)
• Hunt S_Rapid 2-degree engagement freehub
• Boost axles - 148x12mm (rear) with 110x15mm (front)
• SRAM/Shimano 8/9/10/11 speed, Shimano Microspline and SRAM XD compatible
• Center Lock rotor mount (6-bolt adapter available with separate purchase)
• UD rim finish with either bright white or stealth black water transfer graphics under lacquer
• Available as full 29” set or 29F/27.5R mullet set
• 3-year warranty and FREE H_Core Lifetime Crash Replacement for first owners
• Weight: 1732g for dual 29"
• MSRP: $1599 USD

Initial Impressions

When the author of this review - yours truly - set out to build a trail bike for the season, the Proven Trail wheel was not yet available. Despite being billed as an XC product, we decided to run the Proven Race XC wheel to get that build rolling, and it has proven its mettle during 6 months of fairly intensive riding. When the new Trail wheel was released, we were of course eager to give it a spin too, not just to test it outright but also to compare it to our experience with its lighter-weight counterpart.

The Proven Trail wheelset slots into the range between the Race XC and the Enduro H_Core sets. As with the Enduro wheels, the Proven Trail wheels are built around the “H_Core” rim, which features a special carbon insert to improve impact resistance and general durability.

The rims are very well made, with a uniform finish and water-transfer graphic applied under clear coat. The wide beads are rounded to help ward off snakebite punctures, and the layup features an extra 10k carbon weave that was found to help prevent the appearance of micro-cracks that can lead to more serious failures. The rims are laid up differently for the front and rear wheels, and even the bead width is slightly different between the two. The idea is of course to create a more compliant front wheel that promotes better comfort and grip, while the rear needs to be a bit stiffer and more durable when it comes to handling impacts.

Hunt does a lot of lab testing in their development work, and they are not shy about publishing the results. The Proven Trail wheels have landed near to the top of the class of the wheels that Hunt compared them too, with quite favorable strength-to-weight characteristics:

The Trail wheels are built with 28 triple-butted, straight-pull, stainless steel Pillar spokes with slightly different dimensions front and rear – again to cater to the different characteristics desired for the front and rear wheels, respectively. The rim bed is offset to provide for more even spoke length and tension between the two sides of the wheel. The full 29” Trail wheelset we tested here weighs in at 1732 grams, which splits the difference nicely between the Race XC (1469 grams) and Enduro H_Core (1956 grams).

For the freehub, Hunt went with their “S_Rapid” option, which features more pickup points than the previous Hunt hub we were running. The S_Rapid hub uses 6 pawls that engage in 3 pairs, each pawl equipped with 2 teeth to maximize durability while providing for super-quick, 2-degree engagement. It's got a pleasant buzz to it that is present but not overbearing.

On The Trail

The Trail wheels show up with quality tubeless tape already installed and a pair of tubeless valves included in the box (together with a few spare spokes and a quality control card signed by the builder of your specific wheelset). Mounting up tubeless tires was a breeze, the inside rim profile features a little ramp that helps the tire hold air for pressure to build up and push the tire up onto the rim and into the right spot. We don’t love the fact that we had to resort to using a 6-bolt adapter to mount our rotors (because these hubs only exist in a Center Lock version so far), but in all fairness it has not caused any actual issues in use. The adapters don’t play all that nicely with thicker rotors though, which can leave the top spacer sitting off the 6 prongs that hold the rotors, but once again, this has not translated to any actual problems for us on the trail.

Comparing the Proven Trail wheels to the Proven Race XC wheels that they replaced on this bike, the difference in stiffness is significant. The XC wheels were not flexy to the point of causing trouble, but we could often hear the spokes twanging as the wheel loaded and unloaded during intense climbing, for example. We did not suffer from excessive wheel flex in turns or any unwanted frame or rotor rub with the XC wheels, proving that they are in fact stiff enough laterally, but the spoke flex under power was real. The Trail wheels exhibit no such traits at all, which shows what those extra 200 grams of weight can do (as well as the slightly sturdier spokes used). We did manage to get a snake-bite puncture on a rear tire during testing, but that took a particularly nasty impact and tire pressure that may have been on the low side. There were plenty of other dubious line choice incidents while riding these wheels, and they have taken it all in stride. Spoke tension has needed very little attention during our 3.5 months of testing so far, and the rims have remained true and nearly unmarked by flying rocks and other assorted trail debris.

The Trail wheels feel fairly close to the sturdiest enduro wheels we’ve tested recently, with that muted ride quality common to good carbon wheels. The rapid engagement of the rear hub also contributes to the dynamic ride characteristics, and the wheels do a great job of putting down power when need be – whether under the pedals or when pushing out of turns. We have not suffered any excessive deflection in rough terrain either, the Trail wheels hold their line and go where you aim them without unnecessarily rattling your teeth out in the process. In short, we feel like you can trust these wheels for any kind of bike that needs to both pedal up and rip down, and that is further underscored by the fact that we were able to push the XC wheels a bit beyond their remit with good results when they were on the same bike earlier in the season. Between these two wheelsets, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Hunt wheels are up to the task! And in case you should still manage to break something, Hunt’s H_Care crash replacement program provides for FREE repair or replacement for the lifetime of the product for the first owner (you’ll still be responsible for shipping costs if you need to send the broken wheel to Hunt for repair). That’s reassuring and in line with the best warranty/crash replacement policies out there at the moment.

What’s The Bottom Line?

In a sea of wheel options that are all round, black, and pretty good these days, it can be hard to pick one. Hunt’s Proven series offers 3 distinct options with characteristics to suit different riding styles and bike builds, and they have proven (pun fully intended) themselves to be both dynamic and durable. The Trail H_Core is a great choice if you are somewhat concerned with weight yet still want a wheel that can take the abuse dished out by a modern trail bike. The build quality is excellent and it offers a good blend of robustness and compliance, with a solid feel on the trail that is quite close to that of a heavier enduro wheel. Hunt’s free H_Care lifetime crash replacement policy offers peace of mind for the initial owner and further adds to the value proposition.

More information at: huntbikehweels.cc.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 52 // Years Riding MTB: 20 // Weight: 190-pounds (87 kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Johan Hjord and Nils Hjord