Hunt Wheels has introduced the discharge of two wheelsets that are actually utilising carbon fiber know-how which can enable merchandise to be recycled on the finish of their lives.
Dubbed H_Cyclo, the know-how makes use of a unique kind of thermoset resin that may be damaged again down into resin and carbon strands in a far much less energy-intensive method. Initially, the know-how has been debuted on Hunt’s 40 Carbon Gravel Race wheels, and their dynamo counterparts, with plans to increase this throughout the model going ahead.
The know-how was first developed to allow the recycling of enormous format glass fiber wind turbine blades, nonetheless, that is the primary time the know-how has been utilized in wheelsets within the bike trade.
It will not be doable to re-use the carbon to make extra wheels, with Hunt nonetheless engaged on a ‘subsequent step’, however smaller elements similar to tyre levers or bottle cages can be attainable. While supplies used make up a small a part of the general carbon footprint of a wheelset, it is definitely a optimistic step for an trade searching for enhancements in sustainability.
Recycling may also be incentivised via a reduction program on new wheels when a H-Cyclo product is shipped again to Hunt for recycling.
Hunt’s 40 Carbon Gravel Dynamo wheels are common among the many Hunt vary with bike packers wanting hastle free mild methods
(Picture credit score: Hunt)
How does H_Cyclo work?
First proven off at Eurobike, Hunts H_Cyclo know-how works through the use of a unique kind of resin than normal carbon fiber manufacturing.
Throughout conventional carbon fiber manufacturing, items of carbon fiber pre-preg are specified by a mould after which cured at very excessive temperatures. Pre-preg carbon fiber is a standard time period for reinforcing carbon strands impregnated with a resin – invariably epoxy.
Thermoset carbon fiber molding is the most typical manufacturing course of within the biking trade and one which usually yeilds the very best strength-to-weight ratio – the difficulty? Epoxy is a thermoset resin which could be very exhausting to recycle.
The wheels are equivalent to the bare eye, with the identical end as the usual wheels
(Picture credit score: Hunt)
Hunt’s H_Cyclo course of, in contrast, makes use of a unique sort of thermosetting resin that Hunt says might be separated from the carbon fibers utilizing a chemical resolution on the finish of a product’s life.
Hunt claims that this new thermoset resin reacts in a really related technique to epoxy, which means it could possibly present the identical energy and sturdiness. Crucially, it additionally means Hunt can use the identical molds, which presumably makes this course of way more attainable from a price perspective. And if Hunt’s claimed weights are to be believed, it does look to be the identical – 1431g for the usual 40 Carbon Gravel Race wheelset, and the very same claimed determine for the H_Cyclo equivalents.
When the wheels lastly hand over the ghost, be it if you improve, or should retire your hoops due to an accident, the wheels are damaged down utilizing a chemical resolution known as Cleaver. With the usage of Cleaver, some warmth, and agitation, the 2 parts might be separated in such a manner that each resin and carbon fiber strands might be re-used.
Incentivised recycling
To try to get customers on board with this system, Hunt has additionally invested in providers that make the recycling course of as straightforward as doable, and even prevent some cash on new wheelsets.
The model says it would supply a free recycling assortment service for all H_Cyclo wheels on the finish of life or within the occasion of a crash alternative, the place wheels shall be despatched to one in every of three recycling services accessible by 2026, in each Asia and Europe. In case your wheels want recycling earlier than then, Hunt will retailer them till recycling can happen
On prime of this, Hunt can also be providing as much as £250 off a brand new wheelset when returning H_Cyclo wheelsets on the finish of their lives.
Out there wheelsets
As beforehand talked about, Hunt is initially kicking issues off by introducing the know-how to only two of its wheelsets, the Hunt 40 Carbon Gravel Race H_Cyclo, and the 40 Carbon Gravel Dynamo H_Cyclo.
The wheels themselves characteristic a 40mm rim depth, with a large 25mm inside rim width, and 30mm exterior rim width. Identical to the non-H_Cyclo counterparts, the brand new Carbon Gravel Race wheels characteristic straight-pull Pillar PSR Xtra 1420 aero butted spokes, whereas the dynamo setup options equal J-bend spokes.
The wheels will come out of the identical mould as the usual Hunt 40 Carbon Gravel Race wheelset
(Picture credit score: Hunt)
Each wheelsets characteristic Hunt’s H_Ratchet 40T DBL hubs, with a low 9 diploma of engagement, and twin 40-tooth ratchet rings. Rolling duties are dealt with by sealed precision cartridge bearings.
The Dynamo wheelset encompasses a SON 28 Dynamo up entrance, with alloy mud shields, rubber lip seals, all full with a 5 yr guarantee.
(Picture credit score: Hunt)
The 40 Carbon Gravel Race wheelset weighs a claimed 1431g, and retails for £1,099/$1,399, whereas the Dynamo wheelset is available in at 1834g for the set, and can hit the cabinets at £1,489/$1,849.
For extra data, try the Hunt Wheels web site.
