ENVE is expanding its Foundation lineup with the new Foundation AR40. The new wheelset is a 40mm-deep, versatile road (and slightly gravel) design. Meaning it should offer an aerodynamic advantage, wide-tire compatibility, and ENVE’s signature ride quality at a price point that would usually only get you one of ENVE’s wheels.
What is the ENVE Foundation Series?
The Foundation series is the gateway into ENVE’s higher-end offerings: SES (performance road), G Series (gravel), and M Series (mountain) wheels. ENVE positions the Foundation range as “all about real-world performance” over headline weight numbers. Plus, the $1,500 $1,400 per-set price is much easier to swallow than the $3,750 for the PRO Series wheels. The new ENVE AR40 continues that theme, blending a simplified carbon construction with proven ENVE tech. The sizing, specs, and price should hit the sweet spot for both modern road and fast gravel riding.
An ENVE Take on the All-Road Wheel
At the core of the AR40 is a classic-looking rim, 40mm deep at both the front and rear, with a 25mm internal width. A combination aimed squarely at today’s wider, faster tires. ENVE says the AR40 is aerodynamically optimized for 29–30mm tires (ENVE has a tire for that too), leveraging its SES aero-development to deliver drag reduction.
While the AR40 is designed first and foremost for road use, it’s also been tested and approved to ENVE’s gravel standards. What’s that mean for riders? ENVE gives the AR40 a green sticker of approval for off-road use (but not too off-road), and it’s designed for setups that prioritize speed over outright volume.
Aerodynamics
Like ENVE’s premium wheels, the AR40 was developed and tested in-frame at the Mercedes-Benz Formula One Wind Tunnel. Testing was conducted at 20 mph (32 kph) and 30 mph (48 kph) to better reflect real-world riding conditions.
The goal, according to ENVE, isn’t just lower drag numbers in a lab, but predictable handling and efficiency across a wide range of wind angles.
Hookless, Tubeless, and Built for Impact
The AR40 continues ENVE’s allegiance to hookless tubeless design. Although there are many arguments for and against in the hookless debate, ENVE frames it as the most consistent and reliable approach for modern performance tires. ENVE states that eliminating the bead hook will enable tighter bead-seat diameter tolerances, which are critical for a safe, secure tubeless fit.
The rim also features ENVE’s patent-pending Wide Hookless Bead, designed to dissipate impact forces from potholes and sharp hits. It’s similar to the bead design we see in the M-Series, reducing the risk of pinch flats whether you’re running tubeless or tubes.
ENVE’s molded spoke hole technology carries over from its higher-end offerings. In this, the mold routes continuous carbon fibers around the spoke and valve holes, rather than drilling them post-mold. ENVE says the result is a stronger spoke bed, higher allowable spoke tensions, and reduced long-term maintenance.
Foundation InnerDrive Hubs
Lacing everything together are ENVE’s Foundation-grade InnerDrive hubs, which share the same core architecture as the brand’s premium hubs. Highlights include:
- Oversized 42mm steel ratchet system
- Inboard ratchet placement to reduce axle and bearing stress
- Automatic preload adjustment
- High-performance steel bearings
Many internal components are interchangeable with ENVE’s higher-end hubs, reinforcing the Foundation line’s role as an entry point into the ENVE ecosystem rather than a stripped-down outlier.
ENVE Foundation Series AR40 Specs:
- Rim depth: 40mm
- Internal width: 25mm
- Claimed Rim weight: 425g (±3%)
- Claimed Wheelset weight: 1500g (±3%)
- Tubeless compatible: Yes
- Tire optimization: 29–30mm
- Gravel rated: Yes
- Price: $1,400 USD
Pricing and Availability
Individual wheel pricing ranges from $630–$770 USD, depending on front/rear and axle configurations, with full wheelsets comfortably at $1,400 USD. Wheelsets are in stock and shipping now.
