Get your ENVE from DCR Wheels!

If you get your ENVE wheels built at DCR Wheels, you can have any feasible combination that you want. You can also trust that they will be built to the highest tolerances possible, using the most sophisticated tooling on the market. They are fully stressed and rested before delivery, so no further retensioning or truing should be required. In addition to the warranty provided by ENVE, the build has a lifetime warranty.

 

Why choose a carbon rim?

Carbon rims are a key way to provide a significant upgrade to your wheelset. Carbon fibre is fundamentally a superior material to aluminium alloys. There have been experiments with other exotic materials for rims – titanium, magnesium, niobium, scandium and so forth. However, carbon fibre will offer an unparalleled performance increase.

Carbon rims are made very differently to other rims. They are not extruded but layers of fibres are put together in a mold and set in a resin. Getting this correct and using the right carbon and perhaps more importantly the right resin is essential in building a strong and stiff rim. Carbon rims are always more expensive than alloy rims as the process of making them is particularly labour intensive. They have to be laid up by hand and the fibre material also has to be made and cut before the layup can even begin. The best quality versions are significantly more expensive. Carbon fibre has a natural dampening effect, so for any given profile, they will generally be more comfortable. For a given profile they generally are able to offer greater lateral stiffness as well as strength.

Carbon fibre is not only stronger, but it does not need to have a joint (a weak point in aluminium rims) and it is easier to create more precise and exotic shapes in it. That makes it ideal for perfecting aerodynamics.

Enve rims are about as good as it gets for any rim, any material. Enve have combined leading experts on fluid mechanics with leading experts on carbon composite technology to make products with unparalled performance. Significant development has also been put into improving the braking track to offer uncompromised braking throughout the life of the rim. Keeping the sidewalls parallel is particularly important and Enve have focused a particular amount of attention to this and that is why they insist on manufacturing all their rims in house. They have also developed and patented a technique to mold valve and spoke hole. This re-inforces what would traditionally be a weak area in the rim and is a more efficient use of material. Drilling out spoke holes fractures the fibres causing inconsistency and natural weakness.

Enve rims also have what is called a ‘removable bladder’. This is not something that you can remove, but something that is removed during manufacturing. Carbon rims are shaped around a bladder. This bladder is redundant when the rim has been completed, it is unnecessary for the structural integrity of the rim. However it is generally left in the rim because it is difficult to remove it. Enve have developed a technique for removing their particular bladder which saves a significant amount of weight.

All Enve rims are made in Utah USA. They all have a 5 year warranty. None of them have a rider weight limit and are designed to give you the best possible performance for any discipline on or off road.

 

Overview of the ENVE systems – 2.2, 3.4, 3.4 disc, 4.5, 6.7 and 8.9 systems:

The latest rims from Enve are designed to be front and rear specific. They are actually meant to be thought of more as a system or package, rather than individual rims to be used. Designed by Simon Smart, these are among the most aerodynamic rims on the market. Combine that with Enves formidable expertise in composite technology, these are quite simply some of the best rims available for the fortunate few who can afford them. In terms of what they are like to build – well, frankly, lovely. The so naturally build up true and round and naturally encourage very even spoke tensions. The molded spoke beds make adjustments much easier than other rims which offer a lot more friction. The overall build always comes out feeling very solid and very stiff. Yet you know with a light gauge steel spoke and natural carbon dampening, comfort is an inevitable companion to their performance.

I match Enve’s warranty with a 5 year warranty of my own on all builds including free collect and return shipping against any failure. Accidental damage is repaired at cost, truing is free of charge for life!

Here is what ENVE say about their smart system for the road:

THE EVOLUTION OF SPEED. INTRODUCING THE SMART ENVE SYSTEM.

The recipe for a fast wheel is no one single element; rather, it’s a combination of factors. When you start with in-frame development and blend proven aerodynamics, optimized stability, lightweight, stiffness and durability, the result is a revolutionary wheel design. Introducing the Smart ENVE System.

SPEED

The Smart ENVE System optimizes the interface between the frame surfaces and the wheels, creating an integrated system. The front and rear wheels interact differently with the air and the rest of the bicycle. Rim shapes are optimized to allow airflow to stay attached at higher yaw angles, thus reducing drag and improving ride performance.

• The front wheel is wider and shallower to improve stability and reduce drag in any wind condition.
• The rear wheel is deeper to reduce drag where stability is less affected.
• Wheels were tested on multiple frame designs in order to produce the maximum drag reduction. The result is a wheel system, which handles predictably, and displays superior drag results when installed in multiple bicycle frame designs.

 

STABILITY

Steering feedback in variable conditions needs to be predictable to have total handling confidence. Less predictable wheels have a non-linear steering response, resulting in erratic and unpredictable handling in unsteady conditions. The shape of the Smart ENVE System rim is optimized to ensure even and predictable airflow attachment. What the rider experiences is a balanced build up of side force as the angle of crosswind changes. This allows the rider to accurately predict the handling mannerisms of the wheel and avoid dangerous over correction cycles.

• The focus on steering stability resulted in improved handling and confidence in varying crosswinds.
• Therefore, the wheel shape was optimized to produce a predictable and linear response.
• The target stability gradient was 1.0.

 

STRONG, STIFF, LIGHT – THE ENVE PROCESS

ENVE is renowned for developing the strongest, stiffest and lightest rims on the market. This durability is proven across all disciplines of the sport including being the first and only carbon wheel to podium at World Cup DH events. All ENVE products, including the Smart ENVE System, share this advanced manufacturing technology. These technologies involve:

• Highest strength to weight ratio in the industry.
• Proprietary molded in spoke hole technology.
• Textured braking surface allowing for a more positive engagement and better braking in wet conditions.

 

The weights for the various rims are as follows:

SES 2.2 tubular 281g (F/R)

SES 3.4 clincher 432/439g (F/R)

SES 4.5 clincher 469/489g (F/R)

SES 6.7 clincher 495/530g (F/R)

SES 8.9 clincher 610/620g (F/R)

SES 3.4 tubular 340g/380g (F/R)

SES 6.7 tubular 440g/480g (F/R)

SES 8.9 tubular 500g/545g (F/R)

The rims can be built up to any custom specification. Popular options include Chris King R45 and Tune.  The weight of a wheelset with Tune hubs is approximately 1390g for a 3.4 clincher set, approximately 1225g for tubular. Rims come with rim tape and brake pads as standard. Hubs generally do not come with skewers. Below I will go through the models specifically in more detail.

ENVE 2.2 wheelsets

The ENVE 2.2 is the only rim in the ENVE SES lineup that is only available in tubular.  It is possible, that in the future, they will offer a clincher version, however they have not suggested an inclination to do so.  This is the shallowest rim that ENVE offer in their SES range and also their lightest.  It also has a different braking surface to the others which ENVE state improves the braking performance of their rims by 30%.  An impressive accomplishment.  The improvement has been achieved by altering the surface of the rims, it is not a change to their brake pads.

The ENVE 2.2 rims do not have different heights front and rear.  In this respect, they are much less of a ‘system’ than previous ENVE rims.  However they are still a wide blunt nosed profile designed to improve aerodynamic stability and performance.

 

ENVE 3.4 wheelsets

The ENVE 3.4 was always the most popular option in the past and was the rim set that was reviewed most.  It consistently performed well because it so well met the needs of so many riders.  They are light and stiff and strong and durable and lift the aerodynamic performance of most bikes.  As a result it was also often chosen in its clincher incarnation, simply because that allowed people to run a very conventional setup.  There is no rider weight limit on these rims and they can easily be built up into a large range of hubs.  You can change the decals on them for an upcharge, but as is the case with the whole ENVE SES range, you come with black on black as standard.

Being the most popular all round rim, it was the obvious place to start for an ENVE road disc wheelset.  So that is where the ENVE 3.4 disc wheelset comes along.  The rims are different.  They have no braking surface, they are lighter too and they are both 24 hole, although they are still specific to front and rear as the ENVE 3.4 disc set remains a distinct SMART system.

The 3.4 rim brake clincher has as of 2017 been updated.  The newer version has the NBT, is tubeless compatible, is now ultra wide with a wide tyre friendly profile improving aerodynamic performance and stability and the weight has been reduced – quite an upgrade I would say.  We built up a set with Tune Mig70/Mag170 hubs which weighed 1363g/pair.  A lovely pair of wheels! 

 

ENVE 4.5 wheelsets

The ENVE 4.5 wheelset is the set of choice on flatter stages of the Tour De France as ENVE sponsor MTN Qhubeka.  Although it was the 2.2 tubular wheelset that helped Steve Cummings win stage 14 in the 2015 Tour De France.  The 4.5 is another more recent addition to the ENVE range, introduced in 2015.  It stands between the 3.4 and 6.7 sets and plugs quite a big void in terms of depth.  The weight penalty of the 4.5 over the 3.4 is pretty modest and there is a noticable gain in aerodynamics.  So it is a set that ENVE have clearly worked hard on.  There is still a place for the 3.4, as weight and aerodynamics are not the only consideration.  A 4.5 set will get more blown around in blustery conditions than the 3.4, however the 4.5 is perhaps the best choice if you only ever want to own one ENVE wheelset!

ENVE 6.7 wheelsets

The 6.7 is one of the older rim profiles, designed as part of the original 3 (3.4, 6.7, 8.9) and the idea being that it could still be used in a range of conditions, but definitely favouring flatter routes.  Often used in time trails and crit racing, it does not have the versatility in the hills that the shallower profiles have.  They are designed more to be in a straight line on a flat route.  However, being ENVE, the weight is still impressive and when you consider that tubular sets can be produced as light as 1400g/pair, you realise these are still not heavyweights.  Also, it may be that you prefer running with alloy rims on flatter courses anyway, in which case, if you want an aero set of wheels that can still climb if you need it to but ultimately is about aerodynamic gain, the 6.7 could be a great choice.  It is well suited to criterions, time trials and triathlons.

ENVE 8.9 wheelsets

Now we are into really deep rim territory.  This is about as deep as carbon rims get before they become solid discs.  This is where ENVE are pushing aerodynamics as far as they can.  They have reduced the spoke count on this wheelset as well.  All the others (3.4 disc aside) are 20 / 24 spokes.  The ENVE 8.9 is 16 / 20 spokes.  That is, in a way, quite a tall order for the spokes, however ENVE have done it for good reason.  Firstly, when the rim is that close to the hub, the bracing angle is improved, so there is stiffness gains not just from the profile of the rim but also its depth.  Secondly, when you are looking that carefully into aerodynamics, the drag of the spokes starts to have a significant impact, reducing the number of them, reduces their impact.  Finally, the whole setup is that stiff anyway, that more spokes were simply not required, especially as the spoke have less material to stretch over.  It is unlikely that you would consider this rim in anything other than a time trail situation.  If you wanted to go ENVE mad and get the complete range, it would probably be an obvious addition though with a 2.2 tub set, 4.5 clincher set and 8.9 tub set.  With this being for TTs, the 2.2 being for hill events and 4.5 being your much more every day set.

 

 

ENVE ‘classic’ road rims

Tubular road

The 1.25 is their shallowest rim and also their lightest. The front is 25mm deep and weighs a mere 250g. (translating into starting weight of 979g/wheelset for Tune/CX-Ray).

ENVE say:

Leg shaving, gram and calorie counting purists rejoice. ENVE has designed a rim with you in mind. Elegantly designed with subtle foil shape and a 25mm depth, this rim is anything but delicate.

Born in the mountains of northern Utah, the 25 shines as the terrain and wattage progress toward the sky.

This purpose built rim will reward your every effort and maximize your every discipline. In the end you will get to experience the responsiveness of what a tire would ride like if you could magically attach spokes to it.

The 1.45 is their mid-profile rims and accordingly mid-weight. 45mm deep and 295g.

ENVE say:

Best described as a jack of all trades, this “Magic Bullet” is known as the ENVE 45! When we are asked which wheel set does it all, the natural response steers toward the 45.

It is one of the most versatile carbon rims available, ideal for everyday training as well as uncompromising race day performance.

Implementing our proprietary features and manufacturing process, our 45 is available in three models: 45 Clincher, 1.45 Tubular (Ultralight) and 2.45 Tubular (Standard).

The 1.65 is their deepest section rim and their heaviest weight. 65mm deep and 369g.

ENVE say:

The release and use of this rim has stirred plenty of debate as to its ideal application. Some call it the best TT wheel they have ridden, to others their favorite crit wheel, cyclo-crossers swear by them, and road racing is a given.

Where things get really interesting is that the rim is so light that some racers insist it should even be used for hill climbs. Given this wheel’s uncompromising cornering and aero performance, our pro racers report abnormal amounts of friction amongst team members as they vie for the opportunity to roll the 65s in their “A” priority races vs. other options.

The cycling world may be a more harmonious place without the 65, but it certainly wouldn’t be as fast. Available as: 65 Clincher, 1.65 Tubular (Ultralight), and 2.65 Tubular (Standard).

After you have chosen what’s best suited for your discipline, it’s clear you will love the “Founders Favorite”.

 

 

Clincher road

45 rim, ENVE say:

440g

 

 

65 rim, ENVE say:

65mm deep

485g