The cycling world is buzzing about hookless rims. Some riders call them the future of wheel technology. Others think they’re risky, overhyped, or even unsafe. So what’s the truth? And more importantly, what is best for you?
At TMWORKS, we design and build high-performance carbon wheels. While we don’t currently sell hookless rims, we believe it’s important to help riders and shops understand what they're buying and making informed decisions about choosing their set of wheels. Also if it is not in our benefit.
What are hookless rims, and where did they come from?
Source: parcours.cc (aug 2023).
Hookless rims are a wheel design that removes the traditional inward “hook” used to secure a tire bead. Instead, they rely on straight sidewalls and precise manufacturing tolerances to hold tubeless tires in place. See also the picture above. The concept first appeared on mountain bikes in 2014, where it worked well thanks to the use of large-volume tires and low pressures, similar to how car tires function. In 2016, ENVE brought the technology into road cycling with the launch of its SES 4.5 wheels, featuring a 25mm internal rim width and a hookless tire interface (Bicycling, 2024)
Key factors in the hookless debate
When discussing hookless rims, several features come up. In the next sections, we’ll look at:
- Rim weight, strength and cost
- Aerodynamics
- Pressure limits and safety margins
- Tire retention during a puncture
- Tire compatibility
Rim weight, strength, and cost
Hookless rims remove the bead hook, which allows manufacturers to mold the rim wall more simply. This reduces excess material and improves carbon fiber compaction, resulting in rims that are often lighter and more structurally consistent (Enve, 2019). At the same time, the simplified layup process lowers production complexity and costs, which is one of the reasons the bike industry has embraced hookless designs (Cycling Weekly, 2021).
Conclusion: Hookless rims generally deliver weight and small strength advantages, with lower manufacturing cost, though the cost savings may not always be passed on to riders.
Aerodynamics
One of the most debated aspects of hookless rims is whether they bring aerodynamic benefits. Some manufacturers assert that the straighter rim sidewalls contribute to reduced drag by offering a smoother interface between the rim and tire. This is a claim made, for example by Hunt Wheels (2021).
Independent insights challenge that notion. AeroCoach, during TT wheel development, tested hooked versus hookless designs with the same tire and found no measurable aerodynamic difference. Their summary was concise:
“Hooked or hookless – which is more aerodynamic? Neither.” (Aerocoach UK, 2025)
Adding to the skepticism, Joshua Poertner, former Zipp Technical Director and now at Silca, argues that hookless road rims offer no aerodynamic benefit. He highlights that hookless designs struggle with the “Rule of 105,” making them inefficient at recapturing airflow off the tire, an idea he discusses in a Silca YouTube video (2025).
The conclusion: not a proven benefit. While manufacturers claim small gains, both independent testing and expert analysis suggest that any aerodynamic advantage of hookless rims is negligible or non-existent.
Pressure limit and safety margins
Hookless rims generally come with lower maximum pressure ratings than traditional hooked rims. For example:
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Hunt Wheels (2021) specifies a limit of 72.5 psi (5 bar).
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Zipp/SRAM (2025) sets the same cap of 72 psi (5 bar).
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Continental (2025) confirms this limit, noting that tubeless tires on hookless rims should never be inflated above 72.5 psi (5 bar), and that riders must ensure their tires are hookless-approved.
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ENVE (2025) allows slightly higher limits for certain SES hookless models to a maximum of 90 psi (6.2 bar).
When it comes to safety margins, Grand Fond (2024) Cycling published an article saying the ISO 4210 standard requires:
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Hookless rims to be tested at 110% of their rated maximum pressure.
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Hooked rims to be tested at 150% of their rated maximum pressure.
This discrepancy makes it harder for hookless to be seen as fully trustworthy. To their credit, ENVE (2024) has stated that they test hookless rims above the ISO minimum, aiming for higher safety margins, but this does not mean every manufacturer does the same.
Conclusion: Be cautious. In general, hookless rims come with lower pressure limits, which may not suit all applications. For example, heavier riders or those using narrower, high-pressure tires. The ISO safety margin for hookless rims is lower than for hooked, and while some brands (like ENVE) test beyond this, not all may follow suit. Always check the safety and pressure guidelines from your wheel manufacturer before buying or inflating.
Tire retention during a puncture
Another concern with hookless rims is what happens during a puncture or sudden flat. On a hooked rim, the bead hook continues to help hold the tire in place even when air pressure drops quickly. This can keep the tire seated long enough for the rider to stop safely, and in many cases the tire remains partially retained on the rim.
With hookless rims, however, there is no bead hook to provide that mechanical backup. Once pressure is lost, the only thing holding the tire in place is bead stiffness and manufacturing tolerances. In a severe puncture or blowout, this can mean the tire comes completely off the rim, which may cause the rider to lose control.
Conclusion: In puncture scenarios, hooked rims offer an extra layer of safety by keeping the tire partially seated even when flat, while hookless designs rely entirely on air pressure and bead fit, leaving less margin for error.
Tyre compatibility
When it comes to hookless rims, compatibility is critical. Only tires that are explicitly labeled as hookless-approved should be used, and riders must also respect the maximum pressure limits (usually 5 bar / 72.5 psi). Most major brands, including Continental, Vittoria, Michelin, and Specialized, now publish compatibility lists, so it’s important to check both the rim manufacturer’s and the tire manufacturer’s guidelines before buying.
It’s also worth noting that hookless rims are designed for tubeless or tubeless-ready tires only. Traditional clincher tires with inner tubes are not recommended, as they rely on the bead hook for retention.
Bottom line: If you’re considering hookless, always confirm your tire choice is on an official compatibility list, stay within the stated pressure limits, and plan to run tubeless.
Conclusion: should you ride hookless rims?
The cycling world is buzzing about hookless rims. Some see them as the next evolution in wheel technology, while others remain skeptical about their limitations and safety margins. The truth, as always, is somewhere in between.
Hookless rims can offer real benefits: they simplify manufacturing, can reduce weight, and work well with modern wide tubeless tires at lower pressures. For certain use cases, they make sense.
At the same time, they come with clear trade-offs: lower maximum pressures, tighter safety margins, and limited tire compatibility. A further consideration is what happens during a puncture. On a hooked rim, the bead hook helps keep the tire partially seated even when pressure drops suddenly, giving the rider more control to stop safely. On a hookless rim, once the pressure is gone, there is no mechanical backup, raising the risk that the tire could come off entirely. This makes hookless less versatile for heavier riders, those who prefer narrower, high-pressure tires, or riders who simply want more safety margin and flexibility.
Our take: Hookless is neither the clear future nor a dead end, it’s a design that works in the right context. But because compatibility, pressure limits, and safety standards vary by brand, riders should always check the specific recommendations of their wheel and tire manufacturers before buying or inflating.
At TMWORKS, we don’t sell hookless rims because we prioritize rider safety and are not willing to take the risk. Even when failures aren’t directly caused by the rim itself, misinformed choices, punctures, or unintended mistakes can still lead to unsafe situations. For us, hooked rims remain the most versatile, reliable, and rider-friendly solution.