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The ENVE Melee Joins the Pro Peloton Under Team TotalEnergies

Team TotalEnergies ENVE Melee road bike
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It was hard to miss ENVE’s wheels in the pro peloton for the 2023 season. Some of the biggest names in pro cycling were rolling on ENVE’s U.S.-made carbon wheels, and it appears that was just the start. Now, ENVE has announced that their Melee road bike is headed to the pro peloton in a partnership with Team TotalEnergies.

Already riding ENVE wheels, Team TotalEnergies was apparently intrigued by the potential of the complete ENVE package.

Team TotalEnergies ENVE Melee road bike

Expanding the Partnership

“We already knew their wheels, defined as the best in the world, and it made us very curious. October was full in discussions with their engineers at the Team headquarters. Our technicians and riders were impressed by the responsiveness of ENVE. The tests conducted by our riders were more than positive and everyone, unanimously, recognized the very high technology of the bikes,” states Team TotalEnergies Manager Jean-René Bernaudeau.

Bernaudeau continues, “I am delighted to associate our team with this innovative brand. We have many things to learn from our structures and have the same motivation to get great results through important R&D work. Between our two companies, this collaboration will contribute to future victories. It is a beautiful and ambitious collaboration which is starting. ENVE lives in modernity and innovation like us. I’m sure that we will write a beautiful story. Our performance division and their Research and Development sector will work together over the next two seasons. I cannot wait to start the season.”

Riding ENVE to New Heights

General Manager of ENVE Mike Stimola said, “Having the opportunity to partner with TotalEnergies, a team with so much history in the sport, is an honor for us. We’ve earned a reputation as the leader in wheel and component technology, and to now add ENVE bicycles to the professional peloton with TotalEnergies is an important step as a performance brand. We are always proud to see our products used at the highest level of the sport, in the biggest races, and this collaboration will allow us to introduce ENVE the bicycles brand to a far-reaching audience.”

In addition to the Melee frame and the ENVE wheels, the team will also run ENVE bars. Riders will choose the one-piece or two-piece ENVE SES Aero Road bar and SES AR bar. Riders will have the ENVE 2.3, 3.4, 4.5, and 6.7 SES wheels available to them.

What About Other Bikes?

What will the team be riding for time trials and other specialized races and/or stages? That’s a great question and one that we’ve asked ENVE’s PR team. The Melee offers up to 35mm tire clearance, so it seems that it would be a good option for cobbled classics. And at 850g for the claimed frame weight, the Melee should be a strong climber as well. However, it seems unlikely that Team TotalEnergies would be willing to use this as a platform for time trials.

Perhaps we’ll see a mix of two different bike brands for the same team? Or maybe we’ll end up seeing some ENVE prototypes down the road? Only the ENVE Melee and AR are listed under the UCI-approved frame list at this time.

ENVE in the Peloton

In addition to Team TotalEnergies, you’ll continue to see ENVE SES wheels and bars under UAE Team Emirates. Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador’s project, Team Polti Kometa will also continue running ENVE through the 2024 season.

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16 Comments
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Oliver
Oliver
1 year ago

“US made carbon wheels” … um, which would those be? I thought all the rims (and own brand hubs) have been made in China for a long time now. The frames are made in the US.

Mdaddy23
Mdaddy23
1 year ago
Reply to  Oliver

It’s the other way around. All the SES wheels are made in Ogden, Utah. The Foundation wheels, Melee frame, and MOG are made overseas. The Custom Road is the only frame currently made in Utah. PS I did the Enve Grodeo ride which starts and finishes at the HQ in Ogden and 11/10 would recommend it to anyone! They have a beautiful office and are fine folks.

velodictorian
velodictorian
1 year ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

Not exactly on topic but kind of relevant. Have you heard anything about TIME moving it’s manufacturing over to the US?

velodictorian
velodictorian
1 year ago
Reply to  velodictorian

*anything new (since March’s announcement)

Jason DW
Jason DW
1 year ago
Reply to  velodictorian

I didn’t realize that so much of their stuff was made in Asia. Disappointing really. Where is the ENVE an run of the mill Chinese part?

SteveT
SteveT
10 months ago
Reply to  velodictorian

Time’s US shop located in South Carolina will supposedly be up and running at full capacity by this August/September. Not sure when the first frames will come out of that facility, but likely before August/Sept. They were bought out by the same individuals, who own Allied Cycle Works. It’ll be interesting to see if Allied adopts Time’s manufacturing processes at any point.

SteveT
SteveT
1 year ago

So another wildly overpriced disposable stock cookie cutter CF frameset made in a Far East sweatshop joins the pro peleton. Got it. 🙂

Tom
Tom
1 year ago
Reply to  SteveT

Please enlighten us as to what you have them ride. You are the expert on pro cycling, are you not?

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
1 year ago

Definitely hoping they make a TT bike. They’re really going to have to if they’re wanting this to be a long term investment in the team

DefRyder
DefRyder
1 year ago

With the exception of TT bikes, recent announcements of pro teams selecting lower-tier bike makers appears to validate using the ‘one bike to rule all’ mantra for most road racing disciples (areo, climbing, endurance, etc.).

Could be why Specialized (no new Venge), Cannondale (hasn’t updated System Six), or Colnago (use only VR bikes) utilize just their flagship bike to fill in most, if not all road racing duites?

Fig Ciocc
Fig Ciocc
1 year ago

I think they where procrastinating on painting the bike and realized the press photos where due today.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

“We already knew their wheels, defined as the best in the world” ah yes, where? Not the best aerodynamics, not the lightest, not the stiffest, not the best looking, not the most innovative… Same for the frame. Just another US marketing brand.

MagnanimousWaffle
MagnanimousWaffle
10 months ago
Reply to  Joe

Do some research before you spew out wrong information. The richest team in the pro peloton tested every wheel on the market and brought on a set that was not in the world tour because the data showed they were the fastest…what wheelset was that? Enve SES 4.5

SteveT
SteveT
10 months ago

Bullsheot! None of the “supposed” data was actually released and the real reason they most likely went with ENVE is the same exact reason other sponsored teams go with particular manufacturers products – they got a sweetheart sponsorship deal with said manufacturer. Reality! Stop buying into the marketing bullsheot that pro teams ride what they believe is technically the best equipment. They don’t. They ride equipment due to the best sponsorship deals they can work out with the manufacturers. 🙂

SteveT
SteveT
10 months ago
Reply to  Joe

I remember when Cycling Tips lead reviewer did a review of ENVE wheels and he tried his best to spin the fact the wheels were not finished all that well for the price. Nothing special about ENVE wheels, but the price. But they make the bike snobs feel good so I guess that counts for something. 🙂

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