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