HUNT Proven Carbon Race XC Live Ride Review. Strong, Light, (relatively) Cheap: Pick Three

Are HUNT's new Proven Carbon Race XC wheels as good on the trails as they seem on stats and price? I got them ahead of launch, so come with me on my local trails to find out.
Thanks to Giro Cycling UK, Peaty’s Products and Crud XL Fenders for sponsoring the channel, HUNT for sending the wheels in for test and for my Patreon supporters for their monthly pledges. If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: www.patreon.co...
Any questions get busy in the comments.
Cheers
Guy

[@danielnilsson7774]

This test made me sure to buy them for my Specialized Chisel build. Since this first test, have you had a chance to try them again? Any new impressions? I'm not hard on rims, but would you recommend a rear tire insert? Love your tests! Thanks!

[@GuyKesTV]

Hi Daniel, I’ve been using them fairly constantly since the review, often on my trail bike and they’ve been totally trouble free. Haven’t felt the need for an insert either

[@nicholashines7686]

Do u like these more than the Zip HiTops

[@ryanttucker77]

Just bought these on sale, coming from T8 stock rims it will be 3lbs in weight savings (including different tires) on my wheelset. Can't wait!

[@GuyKesTV]

@@ryanttucker77 that’s going to feel like a rocket ship!

[@ryanttucker77]

@@GuyKesTV haha, let's hope so!

[@Bondseyefineart]

Great review! Would these wheels beat you up on a Hardtail, or would you consider them compliant enough to smooth things out?

[@GuyKesTV]

HI Kevin, just replied on Patreon. Big thanks for signing up.

[@bjtj05]

What do you think about these on a 160/145 bike such as an Ibis Ripmo? Considering them for a summer wheelset here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA when I do my long 3-5 hour 5000+ feet of vert epic rides..

[@jaredofarrell7879]

Hi Guy, I bought a Trek full Stache, mainly based off your review video. Thinking of swapping to some lighter wheels for smoother, faster days. Probably the XC wide, and some downcountry style tyres. Do you think it would make a noticeable difference to the Stache? Cheers!

[@GuyKesTV]

Hey Jared. They'd make the Stache feel totally different, obviously not as floated but a real pace and responsiveness injection with the right tyres on.

[@jameseagles9466]

Hey Guy, what’s you’re verdict on these vs the aluminium version please?

[@GuyKesTV]

The alloy are actually fractionally lighter (3g on my scales) but thinner and flexier. HUNT's testing says they're not as tough either but TBH I've (and my mates who've borrowed them) have beaten the crap out of them for over two years and they're still doing fine.

[@goingdowncountry]

Hey Guy, great review! Really appreciate the job you're doing and helping us decide what's worth and what's not. Would those wheels be a good option for a 100/120 full sus, Rocky Mountain Element with -2 angleset, mostly used at downcountry stuff, but also some amateur XC races and some enduro-rated trails, by an amateur? Currently, I'm on the Hunt Trail Wides V2 but I would like a lighter carbon option. Thanks!

[@GuyKesTV]

Hi Karlo, sorry for the delay. These wheels are perfect for the type of riding and bike you describe. Similar ride feel in terms of damping to the Trail Wide V2 but nearly 500g lighter so much more responsive.

[@goingdowncountry]

@@GuyKesTV Thanks for the reply. Will definitely consider them!

[@pr5x]

As an over 60 rider I’m always after some weight savings.. do you think I could get away with these on a Pipedream full moxie? I don’t jump or anything that would risk my creaking bod but I do ride Lake District and Dales rocky descent’s, having said that, I’ve never broke a wheel in 30yrs! .. I’m thinking this could be a great way to shed weight, especially since my current wheels are very heavy Merida OEM’s.. what’s your opinion Guy?

[@GuyKesTV]

I'd say they were ideal Stephen as that's basically similar stuff to what I ride. They come with a lifetime warranty too so that's an extra bit of peace of mind. Sorry for the delay replying, KZbin keeps forgetting to mail me notifications for some reason 🤷🏼‍♂

[@pr5x]

@@GuyKesTV looks like you sold some wheels for hunt 😂 Cheers Guy, keep up the sterling work.

[@marclyons7045]

@GuyKesTv or anyone else……. Are these as complaint and comfy as the hunt xc race alloy I am currently running?

[@redcloudmc]

Tempted for the new bike Guy.

[@kyledunn4645]

Hey Guy, Did you do a hub sound video?

[@bobhopeandnohope300]

I had been debating about maybe a pair of the silt carbon wheels so these have come out at an idea time. Have you tried the silt wheels? If so how do they compare to these?

[@GuyKesTV]

Hey Bob, unfortunately I haven't tried the Silt wheels to I can't comment on performance. HUNT have certainly put a lot of work into these though and the warranty is a really nice touch.

[@morrisizing]

I have have a pair of Silt carbon XC wheels. It had been a while since I rode off road so not ragging things and down in the SE so not super rocky but been really impressed so far. Have run them with vitoria tyre liners and they still feel light. They are a bit lighter than the hunts but a bit narrower so guess it will depend on preference. They have a similar Warrenty and the take off DT swiss freehub is noisy if that's important ;). Haven't ridden Hunts to compare, though a team mate has a set of their road wheels he loves that he got off Alex Paton.

[@chilievans35]

Hi Guy. These things looks ideal. Do you think they are durable enough to handle a day in the Brecon beacons, i.e "the gap" trail?

[@GuyKesTV]

Ey up Dale, I've battered them round the rocks up here in Yorkshire at really low pressures and they haven't blinked so I'd be perfectly happy riding them pretty much anywhere unless you know you're super hard on wheels.

[@chilievans35]

Thanks Guy. I think these will make the perfect upgrade for my cube stereo 150.

[@chilievans35]

So I orded a set of these wheels and have just come back my first ride on them. Damn these things are good. Everything you've said in the video is spot on. Light, fast, tough, compliant and very quiet. I was shocked at how smooth they feel. If anyone is considering these just get it done. They are superb. Thanks Guy.

[@joseazurara3245]

Good video. Do you know wheight of the rims? Thanks

[@GuyKesTV]

I’ll ask the guys at hunt

[@joseazurara3245]

Thanks, It is 29 wheel, right?

[@jeremyparsons5379]

Interested to see what you link of Qloc - grrrr!

[@GuyKesTV]

Haha, yeah Q-Loc is a love hate thing for sure. I love it from a concept and ambidextrous POV, and when it works cleanly it's great. But the other 98% of the time 😫I was saying to Mick off MBR that I reckon the Suntour company president or his daughter or similar designed it so they're too scared to take it out of the line up 🤷🏼‍♂

[@jeremyparsons5379]

@@GuyKesTV I think you’re on to something there 🤣🤣

[@TheRickysee]

You ARE the best reviewer!!

[@GuyKesTV]

Thanks Ricky, stoked you enjoy the content

[@jeremyparsons5379]

Interesting. Great price too 👍

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, they've done their homework for sure Jeremy. Hope you're well chief and have a great weekend.

[@sselh]

How do these compare to the reserve 28s?

[@GuyKesTV]

Hey Seow, the ride is really similar. Damping, deflection, general flow and precision - both really good. Both get the lifetime warranty too and the Reserves are 50g lighter and come with the Filmore valves. Hunt's pick up twice as quick (5 V 10 degrees) as the DT350 version of the Reserves which are still £700 more expensive here in the UK. Obviously you'll need to check that in other parts of the world ATMO though what with the £ tanking.

[@sselh]

Mate of mine is trading in his hunt alu wheelset for this one. Price is very reasonable indeed for a carbon wheel with lifetime warranty with similar ride quality to a wheelset costing almost double.

[@hambo76]

I hope you get to test Hunt's XC Wide (not Race XC Wide) at some point! On;y 100g more and nearly a third the price (but only 25mm internal width).

[@GuyKesTV]

Hey Hambo, hope you're well. I've not separately tested the XC Wide but I've ridden them a fair bit on test bikes and they've always felt really good. Not amazing in anyway, but light, responsive and i've not dinged a rim even when doing dumb stuff in Scotland on them. Noticeably more 'solid' in feel/tracking than the Race XC Wide which can get flexy and hyper' if you really push them hard. I do absolutely love the RXCW for injecting life into am otherwise dull XC bike though.

[@hambo76]

@@GuyKesTV I'm good thanks! I'm thinking of selling the Horizon v2 wheels and switching to XC Wide wheels when i get my Spectral 125. These Proven and the Berd wheels are a little out of my price range!

[@GuyKesTV]

@@hambo76 Great idea, that Spectral goes so well on lighter wheels. Really brings out the improved pedalling.

[@gval1973]

I've got the Hunt XC wide on a Yeti Arc but wondering if the jump to carbon is really going to make any significant difference, certainly not in regards weight but will carbon wheels perform better ?