2016 OpenDev Team: Join us. £1000 worth of kit for your two-penneth! - Applications now closed.
Team will be announced 12th March - Thank you to the 2000+ riders who applied! This is an exciting new chapter in product development.
Six successful applicants will receive Hunt wheels, a Giro Synthe helmet and Mobel Hunt team kit just for riding and telling us what you think about our wheels, new products and our service.
At Hunt Bike Wheels we'd like to think we've stirred things up since our launch, with our wide, tubeless-ready rim and disc brake wheels bringing you the latest technology to boost your road, gravel and CX riding (MTB coming late 2016). Our bicycle wheelset specs are purpose focused and unique, leading the way for new types of riding and providing the bike tech needed to push your riding limits.
To launch the OpenDev Programme we've gone all 'inspirational and moody' with our JOIN US film - click the image above to take a peek. The film provides a bit more background on Hunt Bike Wheels and you get to see our local testing ground, the South Downs, here in Sussex, UK. Shot in December 2015 (by the incredibly talented team at EastStudio.co.uk Brighton, who also happen to be riders) the steep weather-beaten terrain and rough roads of Devil's Dyke, Mill Hill and Firle Beacon show why our range of fast and durable 4Season wheels were developed.
Open Development – so what’s that all about?
Hunt was conceived to focus on the needs of your 'Chase' for the best cycling performance during every ride, come rain or shine; gravel, pot-holed lanes, trails or smooth fresh tarmac; race, fun, sportive or training. We are incredibly grateful for the amazing cyclists who joined us in ‘The Chase’ to aim further and get there faster. The MASON x HUNT 4Season Disc brake road aero/CX was our first wheel (developed with our friend Dom at MasonCycles.cc) and, like all our tubeless-ready wheels, its clear purpose was refined from the needs of devoted riders like you.
Since our launch in early 2015, cycling has been further opened up to the possibilities of new and unrestricted performance riding. The incredible foresight we received from our supportive customers led to the development of our expanded range of Disc Road, CX and Gravel wheels, launched in September 2015.
Last year Josh Ibbett, our Hunt Brand Manager, made a gargantuan effort to complete 2600 miles in under 10 days and win the epic 2015 Transcontinental Race. Like Josh we all need to push our riding limits, gain exciting new experiences, explore places by bike we thought we wouldn’t and achieve feats that seemed impossible. We've always done things a bit differently here at Hunt and OpenDev is an important new stage in our research and development process. OpenDev allows us to expand our work with riders, discuss and enhance our product ideas and keep moving forwards. OpenDev will help us provide our customers with the lightweight fast wheels they need for their riding styles of today and tomorrow.
Josh Ibbett, Brand Manager, leading up Firle Beacon, Sussex.
This, and following images, courtesy of James Beer, EastStudio.co.uk
Open Development: An open platform that is shared through our website and social media to gather your incredibly valuable feedback, listen to your insights and create better wheels from shared fresh new ideas about how we will all ride. With the launch of the Hunt Open Dev Programme we aim to cut straight to the core of the innovation you want to see as a devoted every-day rider. Basically we would like constructive criticism ;-) and blue-sky product ideas to add fuel to our riding fire to keep us ahead of the game. As part of the Open Development Programme we are opening applications now for six new Hunt OpenDev team members. You will be key in helping us develop future models and your rider-led design, feedback and testing will ensure our wheels will be the best they possibly can be for your real-world riding conditions.
John Marchment, Chartered Engineer, with Peter Marchment, Materials Scientist & Co-Owner.
All levels of rider can apply to join - we're not looking for speed, we are looking for feedback and a helpful outlook.
If you ride you can apply, simple. We want to hear from all types of riders. If you race or ride, road, sportives, cyclo-cross or gravel, we need your critical feedback on what makes the perfect wheel for your performance bike rides. We will read all applications then select our team members based on the type of riding you do, the ability to test and provide quality feedback on new prototypes, and how you might represent the Hunt Brand out on the road and on social media platforms. We currently develop and test our wheels in the UK but, as mentioned, we have customers across the world using our wheels and we want to expand riding everywhere, so please apply whichever country you ride in. If you're an MTB rider, we're nearly ready for you, so join our Hunt Journal, and watch this space!
Sarah White, Mobel UK Clothing Manager. Deepti Marchment, Brand Ambassador and Product Tester.
How do I apply and what does it entail?
Simply fill in the Hunt Open Dev Team application form below. Applications close on the 15th February and we'll announce and contact the successful applicants by the 15th March. Successful applicants for the qualify to be members for 2016.
We're decent people here and realise that your life is probably pretty busy already so we'll be grateful for your input however it fits in best with your lifestyle and in the ways you enjoy most. As a team member you'll be allowed to purchase a set of wheels from our site for free to test out our system.
Further ways you could choose to help, but no obligation:
- Survey and email feedback about our website usability, wheel features, performance and durability, service levels, etc. This kind of feedback is incredibly valuable to help us improve how we serve riders.
- Tell us your ideas and views on our latest wheels designs and technology.
- Send us Videos/images of your riding and experiences.
- Social media posts/messages/images/videos, tags
- Join our Hunt Strava Team - anyone is welcome, you can join now if you like.
- Recording your logged miles on our wheels as 'equipment used' on Strava rides.
- Just being a friendly approachable Hunt person to anyone who asks you what we're about.
Gorgeous Mason Definition Bikes adorning the gate at the summit of Firle Beacon
The Juicy Bit - Over £1000 worth of bike wheels and gear each.
Your perks as a Hunt Open Dev Team rider**
A set of Hunt Wheels - Up to £500 in value.
As one of the six successful applicants for 2016 you will of course receive a pair of Hunt wheels, that suit your bike, for the year so you can rack-up the miles and expand our pool of ride testing. As we develop new models, possibly from your ideas, we will need prototypes testing and you could well be sent a set of wheels featuring the latest unreleased specs and tech.
Hunt Team Cycle Clothing by Mobel Sport - Worth over £350 SRP.
We sought out the best for the Hunt OpenDev Team so we work with Mobel Sport, a family business based in the cycling heartland of Murcia, that craft clothing for professional and national teams. You will receive a full team kit worth over £350. www.ITSCycling.co.uk/Mobel
Giro Synthe Helmet - £195 SRP.
The leaders in cycling helmets Giro have joined the Hunt Open Dev project. You will receive an iconic Synthe helmet, race proven by the likes of team Katusha and BMC Racing. The Synthe has been the helmet of choice here at Hunt for its aero efficiency with understated, almost retro, styling. Probably the coolest helmet around, in more ways than one. www.giro.com
Applications close 15th February so please don't miss out.
APPLY HERE - THE CHASE IS ON.
Applications now closed.
Team will be announced 12th March - Thank you to the 2000+ riders who applied! This is an exciting new chapter in product development.
Thank you for applying to be a member of the Hunt OpenDev team. We'll do plenty of head scratching and announce the selected riders on our Hunt Facebook and Twitter profiles as well as our Hunt Journal email - click to join on or before the 15th March. Successful riders will be contacted directly by email.
HUNT BIKE WHEELS | THE CHASE IS ON | FIRLE BEACON SUMMIT, SUSSEX, UK
Further Terms and Conditions
**Please see our full terms and conditions for use of this website in the menu at the end of this page This application process is for the 2016 period only. Please note that items provided to team members by ITS Cycling Ltd trading as Hunt Bike Wheels, should be used/worn wherever reasonable when riding and especially in images/videosIf you need any extra clothing, wheels or helmets to ensure this please let us know and we will try our best. The items provided remain the property of ITS Cycling Ltd, and whilst unlikely, we reserve the right to request return of the team items without prior notice. The items must not be disposed of or sold without prior written agreement by Hunt Bike Wheels. By applying you agree to join our Hunt Journal email. By applying you agree to release without monetary, or any other kind of, remuneration now and in the future any ideas you provide through your participation in the Hunt Open development program. The judges decision as to who is selected to join the Hunt Open Dev team is final. ITS Cycling Ltd trading as Hunt Bike Wheels reserves the right to end the Open Dev program and team at any point without prior notice.