ENVE is pleased to announce the M Series, a game changing collection of mountain wheels featuring four rim models developed for specific rider profiles. These four models consider a rider’s propensity towards descending versus ascending and are named accordingly.
Each model in the M Series features a revolutionary design that results in a lighter, stiffer, stronger, and more predictable rim. Fundamental in the design of each new rim is a structure and shape that provides improved vertical compliance without sacrificing lateral stiffness. “
As cliché as it may be to speak of vertical compliance and lateral stiffness, the advancements we have made with the M Series rim structures produce that very outcome. The performance benefits are significant in much the same way that dialing in the right tire pressure is,” stated ENVE VP of Research and Development Scott Nielson.
The new M Series is significantly more impact resistant than its comparable first generation predecessor. Remarkably, the new M Series rims are notably lighter than the previous generation mountain rims even with these improvements in impact toughness. For example, the new 29” M50 tips the scales at 330 grams while the first generation equivalent the 29 XC, weighed a respectable 385 grams. In order to further refine the ride tune of the new M Series, each rim model features a unique depth and width. Rim width is determined by pairing each rim model with the predominant tire widths used for the defined ride application. By optimizing the rim and tire interface, handling predictability and traction are improved.
Additionally, the new M Series features an improved tubeless design that refines the union of tire and rim creating a more reliable seal and reducing the possibility of “burping”. This new level of tubeless performance is made possible in part by a new “hookless” bead design. Lead Engineer Brett Satterthwaite stated, “
Our beadless hook design has performance implications that include better tubeless performance, pinch flat resistance, and impact durability. It is a design that truly plays to the strengths of full carbon construction.”
Ride TunedEach model in the ENVE M Series is designed with a specific rider profile in mind. In the past we had classified riders into three general categories in a one size fits all XC, AM, and DH designation that worked well for some but left others wondering where they fit. The ENVE M Series features four completely new models that classify riders by the ride style that they most closely identify with. Each rim model is designated by a style ratio that represents a rider’s inclination towards descending vs. ascending. Tuning each rim to a specific application meant creating a rim that is fittingly light, stiff, and durable for its intended application. As such, each rim in our next generation M Series is lighter and stiffer than its comparable first generation predecessor. Developing laminates that cater to a specific ride application is only part of the story. Each rim is optimized to perform within a range of specific tire widths that are most prevalent for the intended application. By refining the interface between rim and tire we create more precise and predictable handling characteristics and thus a more efficient wheel system.
Impact Resistant ConstructionA no compromise requirement of the M Series mountain rims was increased impact toughness. With a reputation built on durability we have worked tirelessly to up the ante in terms of rim durability and are proud to say that we have taken rim strength to the next level. The M Series features a proprietary rim shape and construction that mechanically improves durability and impact resistance across the board.
The Virtues of Vertical ComplianceThe efficiencies gained by running appropriate tire pressures for a given trail condition are not insignificant. In much the same way a wheel becomes inefficient if the tire pressure doesn’t match the trail conditions, a rim that is too stiff or soft can cost precious efficiencies in rolling resistance. The new M Series features a unique rim construction that optimizes vertical compliance to match that of the tires and terrain of the intended application. By doing this, the pairing between rim and tire is optimized to foster increased traction and control through rough and variable terrain. Additionally, tuned vertical compliance produces lower rolling resistance and less rider fatigue as the wheel is working more efficiently as a system.
Beadless Tire RetentionThe refinement of tubeless mountain tire technology paves the way for rim manufactures to design rims free from the handcuffs of sloppy and imprecise tire fitment. The key to a good tubeless system is a tire and rim that works harmoniously to create a seal at the tire bed of the rim. By eliminating the “hook” from the top of the rim sidewall, we are able to produce rims to more precise dimensions, allowing riders to run lower tire pressures without the risk of unpredictable air loss. Other benefits associated with our beadless rim design include greater pinch flat resistance and rim strength.
ENVE’s new M Series is now shipping to authorized dealers and distributors around the world. The new M Series will also be available on select complete bike models from ENVE OEM Partners: Cannondale, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Turner, and Intense. All wheel and rim models are the same price: Rim only - $999/rim, wheelset w/ DT 240 - $2718, wheelset w/ Chris King - $2750, wheelset w/ DT 180 - $3298 (
M50,60,70 model only)
About ENVE Composites -
Located in Ogden, Utah, ENVE Composites is a manufacturer of handmade carbon fiber bicycle rims and components. ENVE is a company made up of passionate cyclists that have created a unique brand and complete product offering based on a riding lifestyle. ENVE employees have designed and innovated some of the world’s most respected products in the bicycle as well as other outdoor industries. ENVE designs and manufactures 100% of their rims in the US.www.enve.com
I would die for getting a set of those but that new iteration raises me a question : Are they worst the price ? I mean, competitors sell carbon rims for substentially less, so, do the Enve rims outstands them as much as the price let think ? Anybody has already tried and compared Enve and an other carbon wheel ?
I'm asking that because I'm a music gear addict, and for us it is well known that sometimes a nice 1500 / 2000 $ guitar can sound and play better than the abusive 5 / 6000 $ option.
And by not using a specialized spoke, they allow you to build on what ever hubs you have/want.
Everything in this industry costs a shit tonne. This is nothing new.
Concerning specific spoke, we all know that the J-bend is the weak point. So why going with it while using beautifull King hubs and stiff Enve rims ?
And when you can afford a 3000$ wheelset, 10 or 15$ for a spare spoke is peanut.
So anyone having trouble wth people having trouble with the price of those rims - I prejudge you as people not understanding human nature and I end it here before I go to step 3.
1. are these "optimised" for front and rear? or are front and rear wheels subjected to the same forces?
2. would build quality have as much effect on their ride charactersitics as the "optimising"
sdiz - When did Mavic stop making regular rims? Don't you, more than us Europeans, have the choice to either build a wheel or buy a proprietary one in the Land of the Free?
It just doesn't seem logical to dislike a company because they offer an option (!) you don't like, Mavic doesn't force you to buy these by, for example, making their top level rims only in a proprietary version or making the regular versions unnecessarily expensive.
The fastest guys I ride with could care less about rim weight because they spend their time riding their bike instead of on the internet reading infomercials like these.
First they aren't made in a sweat shop where people get paid $20 a day. Second the spoke holes aren't drilled, they are molded- that takes a hell of a lot more work to lay up than the Chinese carbon rims that are drilled.
Now whether or not it makes a difference in real life? But it is pretty simple concept that drilling through the fibers of a carbon material weakens it there. Only you can say if they are worth it you- if I had the money I would, but I had to settle for Derby carbon rims instead.
- quality
- durability
- warrantee
- production factors (location, handmade, molded, etc)
- niche product
I could individually explain all of these different factors, but I won't waste my time. Instead, I recommend you just stop hating on something you seem to have never tried over a price. Go ride your f*cking bike.
If you have money to lash out 3000$ for a wheelset you are more likely to play with Porsche or Corvette than 10 000$ Nomad.
I am afraid that I am on the bonkywonky side especialy when it comes to DH where acceleration is not as important as in for instance XC racing, where tyres and tubes easily weigh 4 pounds. Where risk of destroying a rim is so high, no rim can survive a big hit at speed. I saw several unlaced rims in the Syndicate tent in Hafjell. To be able to feel benefit of lighter rims, obe neds to be able to accelerate on bike, that is pump and pedal - that is a rare sight among owners of expensive bikes. I'm not despising them but just stating a fact.
Yeah Apple sells a brand. It sells inferior hardware, manufactured by its competitors, some of which they drag through the courts for no reason but to impede the success of those competitors for selling better products for less money & make a quick buck in the process. I guess what you're saying is that it's stupid to blame a company for trying & I can't disagree. What's hella stupid though, are the morons that actually buy the shit.
LMFAO 2 bit riders rollin' on $2k wheels. Pfffft. :/
Check out the arts cyclery review, they state " don't ride this rims or you will be on the wrong side of the law trying to get the money for a pair" now you hear a lot of shit in reviews and that is not "shit" when they say that, I swear if there's a bike in your LBS with Enves ask just to roll out the door on them and you will know exactly what I mean. You will never want a aluminum rim again.
Bonkywonky, I could say the same thing about your ignorant claims -- you obviously don't own ENVE wheels, and I'm also certain you've never tested any from the baseless, proof-lessness of your claims. 200g IS a LOT of weight to lose when you're pushing a DH bike out of a rutted-out corner, and durability and dependability both come in might handy when it comes down to barreling through a technical rock garden and you'd really prefer not to blow up and nearly die. My opinion is based off of not only running ENVE wheels, but of racing and riding in insane conditions, as well as formerly replacing an assload of aluminum and carbon alternatives.
I chose ENVE because of what I personally need and require from my equipment, not for the hype, the marketing or because I have tons of cash to throw around (I don't).
If you're going to make any accusations about what these wheels will or will not do for riding, at least attempt to prove them. Are they expensive? f*ck yeah. Have they made a difference in my racing and riding? Also: f*ck yeah. Confidence comes down to preparation and belief in my equipment -- without fail, I believe that my wheels will tolerate the majority of the abuse I throw at them. What they don't tolerate? ENVE covers under their warranty. Because of that, I spent the money.
Ultimately, it's a personal choice about which components to run on one's bike, but making ignorant claims about wheels you've never ridden being 'too expensive' or 'ineffective' or 'overhyped' or 'worthless' is just dumb.
Again, I'll say this: their warranty program, the quality and durability and weight savings and stiffness all make for a superior product. If you don't like the prices, guess what? DON'T BUY THEM. But coming into the comments section and ignorantly whining about how uselessly expensive they are and how overhyped ENVE products are and how companies like these are 'ruining the industry' is just lame. They're a niche product built for people who A: want and/or need a performance difference, B: understand the importance of quality and durability, C: want bike bling and can afford to throw money at bikes.
My suggestion? Get on a set. Enjoy the hell out of yourselves and then come tell me that you wasted your time. Or don't. Go ride your own bike. Best of luck.
That is why you are an ignorant man and not a critical thinker. Posing questions and questioning everything isn't ignorant -- critical thinking is important and valuable, especially in a world so inundated with bullshit. However, spewing false statements and misleading queries IS ignorant.
So go ahead and disagree with me and my opinions and experiences with ENVE and their products. Shit, disagree with me about everything. Please! That's awesome, and I welcome it. But disagree based on factual experience and in depth understanding and knowledge, not upon baseless claims and uninformed opinion.
When it comes to MTB wheels, speed is translated in many different variances; stiffness, rotational speed, and contact size all come into play. I like my ENVE/Chris King setup because of the rigidity (aka, stiffness) in different zones, especially radially -- my carbon, handcrafted, expensive ass wheels enable me to get the most from my suspension because I know exactly my wheels will do on any given day. I never have to adjust my suspension or air pressure because my wheel has been damaged and needs truing; not only is it more exact and precise in technical applications, but it's convenient as hell. I know what my wheels can handle, and I get better feedback and feel from the ground and surrounding terrain.
It's not about having designer wheels or 'bike bling'... It actually does come down to performance. I feel that my wheels give me the type of ride and feedback I need to be the best rider I can personally be, as well as the cornering, the speed and the lightweight agility I require from my bike. So no, WAKI, it's not buyers remorse, nor is it ignorant brand pandering. It was purposefully intentional purchasing on part of an informed rider who needs the best from her components.
I guess none? Then ignorant brand pandering is pretty much exactly what this is.
Because what you are describing as benefits of ENVE rims are ultimately the benefits of carbon as a material for mtb rims.
@WAKI: The only moral difference between buying them from US or China may be the health obligations of the manufacturer for their workers and the environmental constraints for the production. As far as I know you are quite the Environmentalist, so this may be a considerable criterion. But then the US is not quite known for being very eco-friendly either... in general that is.
What's really the issue here, mister anonymous man on the internet? Is it really the fact that I'm a vocal fan of ENVE that you can't stand? Or is it something far more superficial?
I actually like the fact, that you are a girl that is obviously interested in bikes and technics.
I just pointed out, that what you were describing as the beneftis of ENVE rims (i.e. nondeformable, stiffness, vibration damping etc.) is nothing other than the benefits of carbon as a material for this particular purpose.
So, if you claim your ENVE rims feature those benefits and other carbon rims don't, you are wrong and I would consider that brand pandering. This is also the reason why I assumed (apperently incorrectly) that you haven't tried anything else.
By the way, I don't have any issues with ENVE at all.
Besides, I neither mentioned anything insulting nor did I express any prejudice concerning your gender.
Hell, I didn't even know you were female until you started rubbing it into my face.
After reading some of your comments you don't seem to very much like being reduced to your gender or your appearance.
I can't blame you, PB may not be the most flattering place for a girl, so I totally give you that.
But I really can't get over the fact, that you are playing the feminist card here and insinuate, that I must be criticizing you simply because you are a girl. This very act makes you the superficial one, not me.
I think this may be the real issue here.
I never hated on another brand, and I'm not sure where you're pulling that one from... So yes, I am assuming that your inaccurate statements are either because you're delusional or because I'm a girl.
Take your pick.
Also, I just joined the discussion to depict that other brands´ products may have the same assets as ENVEs´, as you were obviously all about the performance difference ENVE wheels give you, whereas you just listed the benefits that carbon wheels provide in general. Oh and yes, above you specificly said that other brands don't match what ENVE has to offer, so you're contradictory on that.
And let me remind you, I started by asking you the simple question what other carbon wheels you have tested besides ENVE. Anything after that was just hypothetical.
I reckoned someone with your arguing capabilities would catch that.
To be honest, I smell a serious superiority complex on you, since everybody who even dared to argue with you was either postulated to be delusional, superficial, uninformed or ignorant so far.
Maybe you manage to find one of those precious assets by looking at yourself? Take your pick.
Bicycle rims. They're just f*cking bicycle rims.
Seriously. How do you think this is going to go? Do either of you REALLY think you're getting your long forgotten point across? Are you going to sway the other over to your way of thinking? At this point in an internet argument it is only about your own egos now. Shut the f*ck up already.
Right now it's easier to get a really capable dh bike than it was 10 years ago. I remember paying stupid money for a dnm usd fork. Around what a boxxer team costs now.
Though really what I think is going on with most of the reactions here is these are rims people want (I know I felt a moment of lust when I saw them) but can't afford, which causes disappointment and jealousy getting expressed as anger.
I am not saying you have to agree with me, and Enve isn't the only company out there doing it this way. This isn't a debate about whether a Subaru is any better or worse than a hand-built Ferrari. They are two different things. But for me, buying a product like this from a company like Enve is worth having to save my money a little longer. I enjoy riding components born from their passion.
Great vid and nice launch, guys.
Jumping the gun again, eh boys?
As someone mentioned earlier this is a "niche" product that very few can afford. However, wouldn't it be nice if the manufacturer reduced the price drastically as to sell more wheels. Perhaps they can spread thier operating/develpomental costs through a wider spread of sales.
ENVE is basically the mountain bike equivalent to Apple: They make very good, albeit overpriced, and over-hyped products. The company is not going anywhere in the near future, so don't gripe about it, and just go get a set of reasonably-priced wheels (like Stans with DT or Hope hubs).
Ibis just released a wheel set comparable to the 70/30 that retails for $1300 and weighs in at 1650g.
I just bought these wheels:
www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1520349
.... which are also hookless super-wide carbon rims with Hope hubs for $970. They weigh 1550g.
That's an entire carbon rim/Hope hub/Sapim CX Ray wheelset for less than one Enve rim. And they were built by a nice dude in BC.
Neither of those much cheaper options are made in China.
What does an extra $2000 buy? A better warranty, made in the USA, and fancy decals. Even if my new rims shit the bed, I can afford to buy SEVEN new replacements and still come out ahead. I'm not that worried, tho. The rims I got from Trevor at NOBL Wheels are made by Toray, a Japanese company that is one of the biggest producers of high end carbon products in the world.
Enve rims are gorgeous, and I'd love to have a set if they were comparatively priced. Or even comparatively overpriced. But this is just stupid.
Those Ibis wheels are sweet and reasonably priced, and as I mentioned above, there are lots of other options out there.
I think I'll make a super duper, carbon titanium unobtainium saddle and sell it for $500. "It'll save your ass" will be my motto.
www.pinkbike.com/news/Enve-Composites-DH-Wheels-Tested-2013.html
When you take into account the damage one can do to a cheaper carbon rim on a random ride, without a warrantee program, you'll realize that you're talking about multiple $800 wheel sets here... Over a FIVE YEAR period.
Two years ago, I purchased an ENVE setup on CK hubs. Not only have I never trued a wheel, I've also never purchased another wheelset... And yet, I've mangled my wheels more times that I can count. I mean, beyond the point of where any normal wheel should still be rolling or even recognizable. But what have I spent to replace them? Nothing. Because ENVE backs the quality of their products.
And that, my friends, is priceless.
I recently purchased the I9 Enduro Wheelset which appears to be 1620 grams per set. www.industrynine.net/wheels/7/26%22+Enduro - Price $1,195
If I compare this to the wheels above enve.com/products/wheels/m70-thirty-26-m7026c 26" DT 240 15/142 built wheelset, the weight is 1560. Price $2,720
So for twice the price or $1,500, I save 60 grams which is 1/10th a pound?
superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=702
So 1mm smaller internal width, 2mm less external width, 400g at 32 spoke count and around $450 USD a rim. Are the Enve rims really twice as good?
Enve makes a sweet wheel. Is there any way you can Demo them? Sea Otter?
I am looking at getting some wheels this year:
Option one is to go with a set of I9's and a CCDBA. Mojo HD/rp23.
Option two is to go with some Enve's and kings.
Thoughts?
All the more room and motivation for credible competition at a lower price point!
P.S. - The sun makes me happy
Anybody tried these ? Seem quite cheap but look a reasonable design. ?
I've never witnessed a warranty like that, and i wouldn't bet 2000$ on it either!
, or schwalbe? And great Enve, just bought a set of enve am 27.5 wheels.....
A hole is a hole, right? What about 0,32 of a hole?
Around $400 a rim. Awesome!
Talk to Ray
Sylvain
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle
_____o^o_____O^O_____biger is faster______
Nope. You'll have a boat, up shit creek, and no paddles.