There have been significant changes within the industry since we first came out with our own hookless models in 2016, with the largest manufacturers in the industry now making hookless wheels. With the newly announced ETRTO guidelines, the variances between tire and wheel manufacturers (“tubeless standards”) have reduced, resulting in more informed acceptance by some riders running hookless on the road.


Tire pressures on hookless wheels should not exceed 72.5psi, and many riders are starting to see that lower pressures help them to ride faster. Further, our work in the wind tunnel and using CFD software has indicated to us that a hookless bead may achieve a slightly more aerodynamic shape because of the way the tire interacts with the rim. As mentioned above, it is also less costly to manufacture hookless rims to tight tolerances, which is beneficial for the rider if that reduction in cost is passed onto them. With this in mind, we are actively looking at offering more hookless options/variants of our wheels, particularly for gravel riding or forms of riding where lower tyre pressures are considered the norm.


As with anything, there are benefits and compromises in either direction. It is a fine balance of where the benefits will outweigh any penalties, across different riding disciplines with ever-shifting perceptions on performance. With the lower pressures of gravel, and even lower pressure of MTB, the compromises gradually become less of an issue. The benefits (weight and cost) in MTB generally outweigh any small negatives such as having to use only tubeless tires (as almost every MTBer does anyway) meaning the vast majority of carbon MTB wheels are hookless.

What is hookless?

Hookless rims are manufactured without bead hooks, the inward protruding edges at the top of the rim bed that help to retain clincher tyres under pressure. The internal rim walls of a hookless rim are flat and straight (and hence also sometimes known as TSS - Tubeless Straight Side).

Why hookless?

The key benefits of hookless can be distilled down to the following:

• Stronger rim construction

• Lighter weight rims

• Slightly more aerodynamic profile of the global system (rim and tyre combined)

• Lower manufacturing costs, which benefit the rider if they are passed on

How easy is it to fit tires?

HUNT wheels featuring hookless rims are no more difficult to fit tires to than our regular hooked rims. The process is exactly the same.

Can I fit a tube in (generally) and in an emergency?

Yes, you can! But you must only do this in a tubeless-ready tire that is safe for use on hookless rims

What happens if I split a sidewall?

Accidents can happen, and if you split a sidewall then it can be tricky to fix. However, this is likely to be the case whether hooked or hookless, and whether tubeless or clincher. A split sidewall will need to be repaired.

What is the maximum tire pressure I can run with hookless rims?

Tire pressures on hookless wheels should not exceed 72.5psi. Please also refer to any additional guidance from the tyre manufacturer, and do not exceed the tire’s maximum stated pressure.