Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Hunt Trail Wide Wheels = Novatec Hubs / Kinlin Rims....still worth it?

Jump to Latest
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
T

thesergeant

· Registered
Joined
·
304 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking at these Hunt Trail Wide wheels for $459 and have been doing a little reading on them. It looks like their rear hub is either a Novatec XD602 (Factor Hub) or a Novatec XD642 (XD642SB/A-B12 Discontinued - Novatec 2021) with 'upgraded seals and grease".

I can't really find out what the differences are internally between 602 and 642. Cosmetically they look almost identical.

Novatec just discontinued their 642 flanged hubs so I don't know what that means for Hunt wheels going forward. I'd hate to buy a wheelset and then have issues with replacement parts down the road. The 602s are no longer showing up in the Novatec catalog but I'm wondering if they're just keeping those hubs under the "Factor" label rather than discontinuing them.

The front hubs appears to be a Novatec 791.

How do people find the reliability of these 602/642 hubs to be? I've read some serious horror stories about the lower end Novatec hubs but I'm wondering if their top tier hubs are prone to the same problems.

I keep going back and forth on these wheels. The weight is okay for 29er (~1850g), engagement is excellent (3*), rim ID is great (30mm), aesthetically they're on point, and if the hubs really are 602 (factor) the price can't be beat.

Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on these, which model the rear might be and the reliability of this hub in particular (not Novatec general).

Thanks!
 
#4 ·
Haven't had them long enough to speak on durability, but I really like them. My reference is a set of the old style Velocity Blunts (at 1750g). The Blunts are not TLR, but they worked fine with some extra tape.
My new Hunts aired up with no sealant (I would not run them that way). They are built well and line up on my frame exactly right. They were packaged well and shipped quickly. My only question is that the tires do not seem to be "latched" or "hooked" to the rim. i.e. if you do actually flat, they will peel right off (I'm assuming). There is no mechanical connection between tire and bead - just air pressure. This seems a vey minor matter (until it happens, right?)

-F
 
#5 ·
Fleas said:
Haven't had them long enough to speak on durability, but I really like them. My reference is a set of the old style Velocity Blunts (at 1750g). The Blunts are not TLR, but they worked fine with some extra tape.
My new Hunts aired up with no sealant (I would not run them that way). They are built well and line up on my frame exactly right. They were packaged well and shipped quickly. My only question is that the tires do not seem to be "latched" or "hooked" to the rim. i.e. if you do actually flat, they will peel right off (I'm assuming). There is no mechanical connection between tire and bead - just air pressure. This seems a vey minor matter (until it happens, right?)

-F
Click to expand...
I've been running the enduro wide wheelset for 2 seasons now, had a problem with the pawls on the older 42 tooth engagement hub! However hunt sent me a complete rear wheel with the newer 60 tooth engagement hub completely free of charge! Not even postage! Really well built wheels! Rims for me have been great, no dents, I ride in the alpes with lots of rocks and have had no problems with the rims! They are an awesome company to deal with, that goes a long way in my book! I'd go for them,i think you'll struggle to find a better wheelset for the money!
 
#7 · (Edited)
Fleas said:
Haven't had them long enough to speak on durability, but I really like them. My reference is a set of the old style Velocity Blunts (at 1750g). The Blunts are not TLR, but they worked fine with some extra tape.
My new Hunts aired up with no sealant (I would not run them that way). They are built well and line up on my frame exactly right. They were packaged well and shipped quickly. My only question is that the tires do not seem to be "latched" or "hooked" to the rim. i.e. if you do actually flat, they will peel right off (I'm assuming). There is no mechanical connection between tire and bead - just air pressure. This seems a vey minor matter (until it happens, right?)

-F
Click to expand...
I am liking these more and more. The tire profile/section seems to be just the right shape on these Hunt Trailwide rims.

Question: Anyone get any "stickiness" in the hub after rain/mud/washing?

I rode a pretty muddy ride last week, then washed, dried, lubed chain, put away. Now, I'm still questioning what I observed, but a couple days later I turned the cranks (just something I do once in awhile when I walk past it) and they did not want to turn freely. I'm not sure if the hub was sticky or the bottom bracket. It has never ever been the bottom bracket. But at this point I feel obliged to open both.

???

-F

edit: it was the bottom bracket. Hubs are good!
 
#8 ·
Hunt Trailwide wheels still going strong. I've hit them hard a few times and they are still like new.
I have a DHF 2.5 on the front, and an Ardent 2.4 on the rear. They both feel pretty good at 21 and 24 psi for hard conditions or 18 and 21 for soft conditions.

-F
 
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
About this Discussion
8 Replies
7 Participants
Last post:
spanishflyaberdeen
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion