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All-new ENVE Custom Road bikes are full custom, built to order & gorgeously aerodynamic

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It’s finally happened. ENVE’s most requested product since 2018 has come to life. No, it’s not a new wheelset, or handlebar. Instead, it’s a complete bike. Well, it could also be a chassis-only, or rolling chassis as well (more on that below).

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike production ENVE Custom Road carbon bike bb ENVE Custom Road carbon bike head tube

Founded in 2007, ENVE has been steadily expanding and improving their U.S. based carbon fiber manufacturing capabilities. After the construction of a brand new, state of the art facility in Ogden, UT, it seems that ENVE had bigger plans than just expanding on their growing line of wheels, forks, and cockpit components.

But this is also not the first time that ENVE has been involved in the production of carbon frames. In fact, some of the top carbon bikes of their time were developed in partnership with ENVE like the Parlee Z0, carbon rear triangle for the Syndicate’s Santa Cruz V10s, the Independent Fabrication Corvid, and somewhat recently, the Cervelo P5X triathlon super bike.

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike on table

This time though, ENVE wanted to build the road bike they wanted to ride. We’ve heard that line before, and it typically yields impressive results. That means the first bike to wear the ENVE logo is the Custom Road. Not just a custom road bike, but a completely modern road bike with two different geometries, clearance for massive tires, and options for custom paint and integration galore.

Modern Road

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike chassis

So what is a “modern road bike?” ENVE sees it as something that offers a bit of everything, really. It’s aerodynamic, light weight, will clear up to 35mm tires, is disc brake only, electronic drivetrain only, and has functional integration along with a custom fit and personalized paint.

ENVE Aerodynamics

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike head tube

Naturally, ENVE spent quite a bit of time dialing in the aerodynamics of the Custom Road. Calling it “Aero Optimized, Ride Prioritized,” the frame uses a number of truncated airfoil shapes and a flattened profile along the sides of the downtube to improve airflow. Considering that ENVE was able to test this bike with the wheels and cockpit parts that will be used by the end user, it stands to reason that the whole package should work together in aerodynamic harmony.

Two Geometry Configurations + Custom Fit

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike geometry

Depending on what you want out of the bike, you can pick from two base configurations – Race and All Road. Both offer the same tire clearance, and are both meant for road or all road riding – ENVE points out that this is not meant as a gravel bike. From

there, ENVE will use their Best Fit Calculator to determine your ideal fit. Thanks to the modular frame construction of the Custom Road, ENVE claims they can build a frame with “virtually any frame stack and reach configuration.”

ENVE’s Best Fit Calculator takes into consideration things like your current bike, past bike, professional fit data, injuries, and other things that may influence your fit. From there, the calculator compares your ideal stack and reach measurements to their stock geometries, or custom geometries to find the best geometry solution for each individual. ENVE makes a point of clarifying their custom fit vs. custom geometry, stating “only tube lengths and angles that affect fit are altered within a framework of the bike’s intended handling and ride characteristics.”

So while some riders may find that one of ENVE’s stock geometries best suit their needs, others may end up with a custom geometry to match their stack and reach requirements.

ENVE Integration

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike front end ENVE Custom Road carbon bike bar mount

Included with the bike is the SES AR one piece handlebar/stem combo which offers five bar widths and “virtually any stem length” for further fit customization. In addition to looking extremely clean, the bar/stem combo includes a K-Edge computer mount that allows you to run a light or camera underneath, and it hides the Di2 junction box in the stem.

New Chris King Aeroset

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike aeroset

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike head tube

One challenge to the build for ENVE was how to create an internally routed headset that gave them the clean aesthetic they were looking for. Naturally, they went to the King, Chris King that is. The collaboration yielded the Aeroset headset which gives the front end a very clean profile while allowing for the brake hoses and wires to be routed through the headset. The headset is based around the 1.5 to 1.125″ tapered steerer of the full carbon fork.

Electronic and Disc Brake Only

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike electronic drivetrain only

Only compatible with electronic drivetrains, complete bikes will be available with SRAM Red or Force AXS, and Shimano Dura-Ace or Ultegra Di2 electronic and disc brake drivetrains only.

An ENVE Throne

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike seat mast topper ENVE Custom Road carbon bike selle Italia saddle

Given the extremely personal nature of this bike, it’s not all that surprising to see an ENVE integrated seat mast and topper included in the build. It offers a lighter weight, more compliant design while still offering 35mm of height adjustability. In order to leave their mark on as many components as possible, the bikes include a custom ENVE X Selle Italia SLR Boost Saddle in two size options.

Go Ahead, Fly with your Bike (with the included case)

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike in scicon case

And what about traveling with your bike? Won’t the seat mast make that more difficult to fit it in a case? You don’t have to worry about that, since each chassis, rolling chassis, or complete bike ships in a custom Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 TSA case that makes it extremely easy to pack and travel with your bike – all while leaving critical adjustments untouched.

Fenders? Yep…

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike fender mounts

With clearance for 35mm tires, there’s a good chance that Custom Road riders will be riding in mixed conditions. If that’s the case and you want to run fenders, you can. Integrated, hidden fender mounts are very hard to see when you’re not using fenders, but there if you need them.

Choose your wheel and tire size

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike wheel and tires

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike wheel and tire options

Based on the bike build and your preferred tire size, ENVE has a range of wheel recommendations to build your rolling chassis or complete bike. Claiming that this is the “only frame ever purpose-built to complement their wheels,” this is definitely the full ENVE package.

Purchasing Options

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike rolling chassis

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike options

What if you already have ENVE wheels and a drivetrain? ENVE will be selling the Custom Road in three configurations – a Chassis Only, Rolling Chassis, or Complete Bike.

An ENVE Palette

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike color options ENVE Custom Road carbon bike paint options ENVE Custom Road carbon bike color options ENVE Custom Road carbon bike custom paint options

All of those come in “endless” color options with four templates (Classic, Duo, Solo, and Faded), matte or gloss finish (or both), and 38 colors with standard and specialty options. If you want even more customization, they offer a full custom paint service starting at $1500.

Pricing

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike pricing

With all of the custom, integrated, and made-in-the-USA details of the Custom Road, you’d expect it to be pretty expensive. I’m not here to tell you that a bike that sells for $10,000+ is affordable, but for what you’re getting here compared to other high end road bikes that aren’t custom, don’t have different paint options, don’t include a travel bag, etc., the ENVE Custom Road seems like you’re getting a lot for the money.

To order a bike, ENVE asks future customers to put down a $250 deposit and orders will be filled on a first-in, first-out basis. Their online Bike Builder allows you to start the process, but nothing is finalized until you give them the final sign offs prior to the start of production along with a 50% deposit.

ENVE Custom Road carbon bike frame specs

See how it’s made in our ENVE factory tour, or learn more at ENVE.com.

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33 Comments
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Miclaroc
Miclaroc
3 years ago

No campagnolo compatibility? Electronic only? Ciao ciao …. will spend my $ elsewhere.

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago

So a custom bike to enve just means you can pick the color? seems pretty dishonest to call it custom when you are still getting a stock frame just with a fancy paint scheme. Are project one bikes custom then? what do you call frames that are actually custom geo? If i order an open mold frame and have it painted can i call it a custom bike? for this kind of money i would rather have a Festka or AX lightness, companies that actually know how to make good carbon components and are not just an import component marketing machine.

Seem like typical ENVE marketing BS. these should sell well with the overweight dentist crowd. cant wait to see them leaned against the wall in front of the local pastry shop

Miclaroc
Miclaroc
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Wait, so it’s not custom geometry ? I’m confused. Went back and reread and I don’t see any details whatsoever about the actual “custom” details… does bikerumor write anything of their own or just reprint company press releases?

TDO
TDO
3 years ago
Reply to  Miclaroc

“Thanks to the modular frame construction of the Custom Road, ENVE claims they can build a frame with “virtually any frame stack and reach configuration.”

Also in the bottom screenshot it says “Geometry and Fit Spec: Full Custom”

Jake Pantone
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

To clarify this point… The Custom Road is fully customizable in terms of fit geometry, and paint. Like most custom bike builders, we have defined the base geometry and handling characteristics of the bike with two geometry variants. So we have a base Race geo and a base All Road geo. In terms of fit geometry, the goal is to get you on a bike that fits as perfectly as possible. What you can’t do is turn this into a proper gravel bike for example. Really, the limitations to custom geometry are put in place to prevent the buyer from designing a bike that will deliver an unproven/untested ride experience.

steve
steve
3 years ago

It doesn’t say anything about not being compatible with Campagnolo – just not compatible with mechanical.

Miclaroc
Miclaroc
3 years ago
Reply to  steve

Aha ok thanks must have missed that as the smoke was coming out of my ears

B Barber
B Barber
3 years ago

Good thing this bike looks so unique. Wouldn’t want to get lost in the crowd

brad barber
brad barber
3 years ago
Reply to  B Barber

This B Barber agrees with the sarcasm

Miclaroc
Miclaroc
3 years ago

Also – the fact you’re forced to use Enve’s HORRIBLE SEAT-clamp system is an instant no way. The WORST clamp system ever made. Even LBS mechanics who are Enve dealers won’t touch it it is such a waste of time. Getting both bolts/wedges to spec torque basically leaves you in only one position any tilt and one or other bolt will be under torque spec no matter what you do. I’ve lost countless hours on their awful seat post the idea you’re locked into that is a nightmare. I’m not trying to bash Enve here but it is really a bad design . I actually kind of like the way this bike looks and don’t doubt it will be even nicer in person but that clamp? Hell no….

Craig
Craig
3 years ago
Reply to  Miclaroc

So I’m not the only one who hates their terrible seat rail clamp design. Both the current version, and the older version. Just ridiculous. Very poor design in my experienced opinion.

K-Pop is dangerous to your health
K-Pop is dangerous to your health
3 years ago
Reply to  Miclaroc

It’s a mast. And your assertion that you’re relegated to one position, or you can’t torque bolts properly is strange. Seat masts generally allow for 15-25mm of vertical adjustment. Most riders don’t change much past 10mm over the course of a season. Never had a problem getting bolts to torque properly, on my TCR or all the others that came through the shop. I get it tho some people don’t like them, masted bikes don’t travel well. But if an LBS mechanic “won’t touch” and thinks they’re “wast of time” they should find another profession.

Der_Kruscher
Der_Kruscher
3 years ago

Read that again, K-Pop – it’s not the mast they have issue with, it’s the saddle clamp. I haven’t used it so can’t comment on how well it works.

Miclaroc
Miclaroc
3 years ago

The issue is the clamp design it’s two wedges that supposedly can be tightened to different lengths to adjust tilt. But the wedges when torqued to spec inevitably return to only one of two possible positions (depending on what direction you instal the top or bottom piece of the clamp itself) so any real adjustment of the saddle tilt inevitably creates one wedge over torqued and the other under-torqued and no amount of fiddling can get them to equal torque (as spec’d) and maintain tilt adjustment, they just go back to one of two possible positions (again, depending on how you install the clamp itself). Very frustrating. I’ve lost countless hours and this is always the end result. I read other similar complaints on Enve’s own website until they removed all the negative reviews (including mine)

byeker
byeker
3 years ago
Reply to  Miclaroc

I manage a shop and oversee the service department….I’ll sell Enve stems all day but never suggest a post due to the horrible clamp function, it’s a constant source of frustration.

Cory Streater
Cory Streater
3 years ago
Reply to  Miclaroc

I’m so excited for this bike! I don’t get all the complaints. I guess the nay sayers are just envious.

Dolan
Dolan
3 years ago

The Calfee Dragonfly was also made with ENVE tubes, IIRC.

Jeff
Jeff
3 years ago

Not sure how that works since any increase in length of the head tube or top and down tubes to achieve that would result in different angles at the joints. not sure how a mold would manage that. so unless that is specifically called out I am going to assume they just add spacers under the stem or play with stem length to achieve those results.

Unravelled
Unravelled
3 years ago

Yeah like you were actually waiting for this frame to install your mechanical campy group on…

Miclaroc
Miclaroc
3 years ago
Reply to  Unravelled

Why not? I’m not sold on electric for anything as yet mechanical still the way to go for me. And yes I am in the market for a new bike this year perhaps or next and this would look pretty interesting otherwise. I don’t see any advantage to electric – or rather – any disadvantage to mechanical and some genuine advantages that make sense to me.

nooner
nooner
3 years ago

Joe Stanish for President!

nightfend
3 years ago

The headtube is a set size. They just add a crap load of spacers below the stem for taller riders. If I remember correctly another custom builder like Parlee does the same thing.

Jake Pantone
3 years ago
Reply to  nightfend

Wrong. We can/do make the headtube to whatever length it needs to be to achieve the rider’s ideal position. Current mold limitations put the minimum headtube length at 105mm and the max at 250mm. We are only placing spacers under the stem if a customer or fitter specifically requests we do so.

Cory Streater
Cory Streater
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake Pantone

Thanks for this correction.

Jaap
3 years ago

April fools?

Double ZZ
Double ZZ
3 years ago

Some sealant in those tires might make it really scoot down the road.

jfkbike
jfkbike
3 years ago

So competing with your customers is a good idea?

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
3 years ago
Reply to  jfkbike

That’s kind of ludicrous. Enve isn’t a groupset manufacturer, they make components primarily sold aftermarket. Ritchey makes bikes, Lightweight makes bikes, it’s not like they’re selling a Tiagra equipped bike for $800. Regardless, how many companies are going with property handlebars and stems as well house branded wheel sets? (basically every LBS brands). Evolve or die, this thing really is mainly competing against other small brands like Parlee or Calfee. If this was Shimano, Campagnolo, or SRAM I’d say you have a valid argument

Grizzloso
Grizzloso
3 years ago

What jfkbike is alluding to is the fact that Parlee, Calfee, Vanilla, Alchemy, and many other small custom builders, and even larger frame companies like Cervelo are Enve customers. Enve has offered development assistance, carbon tubes, and carbon small-parts for these companies since its inception in 2007.

Enve noted with this frame launch that they have communicated with their builder-customers about their own frame development project and that there will continue to be support provided to said customers. There is room in the market for all of these builders to coexist, I don’t think this has to be a mutually exclusive scenario.

K-Pop is dangerous to your health
K-Pop is dangerous to your health
3 years ago

I set up about 30-40 bikes last year with Enve posts and had no issues. Yes, I agree that the clamp isn’t the most intuitive design, but you can get them to torque properly if you find the right orientation combo for the top and bottom wedges. But I digress. You didn’t know how to drill out sheared bolts from Sidi SRS soles and “exclaimed waste of money!”, so I’m not exactly surprised that you can’t get a seat post clamp to work. [shoulder shrug]

Bob
Bob
3 years ago

Wow.. so much disapproval for a new bike in the market. There are a lot of options out there. As a consumer, you have the ability to base your purchase decision on what you’re looking for. If this isn’t what you’re looking for, why sit and complain?

You can’t run a cable Campy kit? Sounds like this isn’t the bike for you.

Doesn’t fit a specific rider geo you’re looking for? Doesn’t seem like this is the right answer.

Good on ENVE for throwing something fresh out in the marketplace.

BubbRubb
BubbRubb
3 years ago

*post 2008

Lozearn
Lozearn
3 years ago

On their homepage one can see, that the frame is build similar to the Colnago C64 or other lugged constructions out of 9 separate parts. So not totally sure, but a “build to measure” or “custome geometry” frame build seems very possible with this approach….
I agree with Bob….if you don’t like what you see, look somewhere else.
Complaining about the offering of someone is like calling all French-Teachers in town to tell them, that you don’t want to learn French. Get over it….no one cares.

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