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Roubaix Tech: Wider aero ENVE SES prototype wheels for Team Dimension Data

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Roubaix-Tech_RVV_Dimension_prototype-ENVE-wide-SES-wheels-for-28mm-tires_team-wet-cobbles

Last year doing cobble classic testing with the previous iteration of the Dimension Data team, ENVE decided that they needed to get a wheel under their riders that delivered on aerodynamics while rolling on the 27-30mm tubulars that are de rigueur for the northern Spring Classics. With events like the Tour of Flanders only having cobbles for about 22 of 255km, and even Paris-Roubaix’s brutal pavé only making up about 53 of 258km, riders at these races spend a lot of time out on open, wind-exposed roads. So a new SES prototype was born that ENVE claims delivers the same aero benefits as their SES 4.5 with 25mm tires, but now paired with wide 28mm rubber. Get some more details after the break and see if you can spot the difference as the team heads into another weekend of cobbled racing…

Flanders-Tech_RVV_Dimension_prototype-ENVE-wide-SES-wheels-for-28mm-tires_frame-clearance

ENVE claims that in their internal testing rider on Classics tires were throwing away 5-10W simply because their aero wheels were optimized for more narrow 25mm tires. In order to get back to the same aero advantage as the SES 4.5 with fat 28mm tires, the rim dimensions got pretty large as well. That’s saying something since the most recent 25mm matched disc brake SES 5.6 & 7.8 already top out at 29mm wide.

Roubaix-Tech_RVV_Dimension_prototype-ENVE-wide-SES-wheels-for-28mm-tires_detail

Seeing how the fat tire trend is going hand-in-hand with the advent of road discs, ENVE says that the wheels were actually first developed around disc brakes. But seeing as how Dimension Data are still racing with rim brakes, ENVE made them a special run with a brake track, and thankfully the Cervelo R3 Mud bikes they are riding on the cobbles have enough clearance at the stays and in the fork to fit the wider rims.

Roubaix-Tech_RVV_Dimension_prototype-ENVE-wide-SES-wheels-for-28mm-tires_team-prep-ride

While the team is racing on tubulars, ENVE’s marketing head tells us that he has been riding a tubeless clincher version of the same rim on his personal disc brake road bike for the past several months. So it looks like there should be both tubeless and tubular versions available when they get officially launched around the start of June 2016.

As we’ve seen the market develop better, lighter wide road tires, with clearly more comfort and even tests showing the low rolling resistance with road tubeless, it is great to hear that ENVE claims they can deliver the same aero performance as a 25mm tire with a 28mm one combined with a properly matched rim design. That’s not so different than what we have seen with Mavic and most recently their new carbon clinchers that specifically pair tires with their wheels when you buy them, and even companies like Vittoria that spend a lot of time and effort optimizing the match between new tires and new rims, sometimes even with shared tech. ENVE’s matching of tires to disc wheels is also interesting as it shows strong parallels to Mavic, even for quite some time before they were acquired by the latter.

It looks like the upsides of narrow road tires pumped up to silly high pressures are dropping faster than ever. And I personally couldn’t be more pleased.

ENVE.com

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Tomi
Tomi
7 years ago

I like Paris-Roubaix because it pushes manufacturer to work on products that will benefit more to the general public than the standard pro racing bicycle.

I don’t see myself riding tires skinnier than 28mm now that I’m not racing crits or track anymore.

thesteve4761
thesteve4761
7 years ago
Reply to  Tomi

General public needs a tubular rim brake wheel that fits 28mm tires?

PsiSquared
PsiSquared
7 years ago
Reply to  thesteve4761

You must have missed the part of the article where the ENVE marketing head said he’s been riding a tubeless, disc brake version of this rim for “several months.” A tubeless, disc version might in fact be what the general public wants. Likewise that could easily spawn the development of a tubeless version for rim brakes. And yes, the public, is moving to 25 and 28mm tires.

6ix
6ix
7 years ago
Reply to  PsiSquared

Or…maybe just ride a 29’er MTB? This is like putting 15″ steel wheels on a Porsche.

bbb
bbb
7 years ago
Reply to  6ix

The roads in your area must be really smooth… In the UK, 28mm (actual width) or wider width is a no brainer and narrower rubber is NOT going to make you faster unless you race.
Tyre choice is about using one’s brain, not mindlesly following pros, club “gurus” and jurnos…

Jake P
Jake P
7 years ago

28mm tires are really fast, riding is believing… Two years from now I’d be willing to bet everyone is on them.

José
José
7 years ago

Ok, did you know any rumor that they will produce a 4.5 tubeless wheelset for rim brakes? I have a 7.8 wheelset, but in windy days ( live in coast area) it is hard to control the bike… I am thinking in buy a tubeless front wheel from the 4.5 set…

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