Hunting for the Right Wheels

 

Why I Chose the Hunt Gravel 35 Wheels (And Why I’m Sticking With Them)

I’ll be honest right from the saddle: I didn’t pick the Hunt Gravel 35 wheels because of wind-tunnel data, pro-tour glamour, or some mystical gravel-guru recommendation whispered across a campfire. Nope — I picked them for one very simple, very practical reason:

They can actually handle my weight.

At 268 lbs (and aiming steadily downwards!), finding kit that doesn’t flinch beneath me is half the battle. Most gravel wheelsets top out well below what I need. But the Hunts? They’re rated over 300 lbs. Finally — something that doesn’t panic when I roll into view.

But the weight limit is only half the story. After six months of riding them, here’s the bit that’s honestly surprised me:
they’ve needed absolutely nothing.
And I don’t mean “nothing… but a little tweak.” I mean literally nothing.

I used to be a bike mechanic, so checking spoke tension is practically a reflex now — like cyclists’ version of checking if there’s still cake in the fridge. But every time I put the tension meter on, the result is the same: even tension, no loose spokes, no wobbles. Considering the state of Derbyshire’s roads and trails, that’s basically witchcraft.

Then there’s the ride feel. They’re stiff — properly stiff — without feeling harsh. Compared to my other wheels, the Prime Baroudeurs and Fulcrum 500s, the Hunts feel… well… less “noodly.” The Primes are decent but a bit flexy when I’m grinding uphill; the Fulcrums are fine but definitely narrower. The Hunt Gravel 35s, on the other hand, give my bike that planted, confident feel that makes you think, “Yeah, go on then — let’s take the stupidly rocky route.”

The internal width is another big win. I run 45mm Panaracer GravelKing TLRs year-round (because if it ain’t broke, don’t mess with the sealant), and the hookless rims give the tyres that nice, round profile without squirming. And yes — before anyone asks — I run them tubeless. Big tyres, low pressures, zero faff. Perfect.

Are they the lightest wheels on earth? Nope.
The most aero? Not really.
Do I care? Absolutely not.

They’re the first wheelset I’ve ridden that doesn’t punish me for being a bigger bloke getting back into serious riding. They’re strong, dependable, stiff where they need to be, and — most importantly — they let me ride with confidence whether I’m out on limestone trails, muddy farm tracks, or my usual Peak District punishment loops.

For anyone my size (or close) who’s struggling to find wheels that don’t feel like they’re tapping out after 50 miles, honestly: these have been a game-changer.

And with events like the Dolby Devil 160 km and the Kielder Triple Crown 200 km on the horizon, I need kit I don’t have to babysit. So far? The Hunts are exactly that.

Week 4: A Pause, A Reset, and a New Target on the Horizon

 

Week X: A Pause, A Reset, and a New Target on the Horizon

The last few weeks have been… quiet. Not in a peaceful way, but in that slightly defeated way where work piles up, illness steals your energy, and the bike gathers just enough dust to make you feel guilty every time you walk past it.

I haven’t trained much — if I’m honest, I haven’t trained at all.
But life gets in the way sometimes, and that’s not a reason to quit. It’s just a reminder that this journey won’t always move in straight lines.

With the fog lifting and my energy slowly returning, I’ve found myself looking at something new: the Dolby Devil 160km gravel ride. It’s earlier than the Kielder Triple Crown, shorter (just), but still a proper challenge — the kind of ride that forces you to respect the distance and prepare properly.

Part of me wonders if entering it might be the spark I need. A mid-season milestone. A reason to stop drifting and start training again.

So next week, I’ll begin rebuilding the routine:

• A couple of steady endurance rides

• Some gentle turbo sessions

• A focus on getting my weight trending downward again

• And, hopefully, the feeling of momentum returning

I’m still carrying too much — 268lbs, morbidly obese by the cold logic of BMI charts, and definitely not built for long climbs. But I am built for stubbornness, and that counts for something.

If you’ve ridden the Dolby Devil, or if you’re a gravel rider who’s tackled other long-distance challenges, I’d love your advice.
How did you structure your training?
How did you fuel your rides?
How did you stop the hills from breaking your spirit?

Drop your thoughts, stories, or tips in the comments. I’m listening — and learning.

Right now this journey feels like starting again, again. But maybe that’s the point. Success isn’t a straight ascent; it’s a messy, winding gravel track — and I’m still on it.