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ENVE Powers Through with new Disc Specific Carbon Tubular CX Wheel and Rim

Written by Zach Overholt
22 Comments
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#Crossishere and so are the newest wheels from ENVE. Disc brakes don’t seem likely to disappear soon from the cyclocross scene, so for ENVE that meant it was time for a disc brake specific wheel perfect for CX. When designing a rim for cyclocross use there are a number of things that have to be addressed, and the new ENVE CX looks like it will deliver…

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We’ve heard a lot of talk about disc brakes opening up rim designers’ abilities with rim design, but we haven’t seen all that much improvement. For CX use, carbon fiber brake tracks have to withstand extreme environments which usually requires more material. ENVE claims to capitalize on the fact that the rim is brake track-less by providing a rim that is both lighter and offers a more forgiving ride. The rim profile is also uniquely suited for cross duties in that it is shaped to reduce the risk of pinch flats and designed to allow for multiple tire changes throughout the season. Part of that tire changing ability is due to woven carbon fiber used for the tire bed for increased durability.

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Screen Shot 2015-10-23 at 11.45.25 AM

Specifically tuned to UCI compliant 33mm tubular tires, the rim is 28mm wide and 31mm deep. Coming in at a claimed 285g, rims will be available only in 28h drillings.

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Offered in complete builds with either Chris King or DT Swiss hubs or rim only, retail is set for $875 per rim, with wheelsets ranging from $2320-$3000. Wheels will be available in Centerlock or 6 bolt hubs with Shimano/SRAM and XD drivers. Product will be shipping by the end of the month.

enve.com
Zach Overholt
5,730 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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22 Comments
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Birdman
Birdman
9 years ago

Pretty……

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bob
bob
9 years ago

how is this rim different from their previous 29’r XC tubular rim?

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roborbob
roborbob
9 years ago

Are the nipples recessed? I’ve passed on Easton and Reynolds tubulars for that reason. With a tape/glue combo, I’m on my third (and last) season without having to touch it. Would hate to remove a tubular for an easy true. Impressive rim weight though.

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a
a
9 years ago

they’re nice but.. good quality taiwan wheels of similar specs are avail for 600 with spokes and hubs… that makes the diff in price really high for questionable advantages.

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
9 years ago

How does ENVE justify charging this much with no hole count options? I’m 155 extremely light on equipment, race CX every season for the past decade+, and don’t need a freaking 28 hole front wheel! Look up and down the start grid of a pro race and tell me how many are rolling 28h fronts.

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Bertie
Bertie
9 years ago

What’s the difference between these and the outgoing XC 29 tubulars? Updated graphics and 3k weave glue surface?

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Don Juan
Don Juan
9 years ago

Kernel,
The current world champion races on 28h front wheels.
28h is more common on disc hubs than 20 or 24, so it gives more options to wheel builders.
It also makes for a stronger wheel.

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mechanic
mechanic
9 years ago

The fact that there are only 4 comments after my original “Zzzz” comment was moderated, says it all.

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CommonSense
CommonSense
9 years ago

a, perhaps, especially for a tubular rim, but not with DT or CK hubs.

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CommonSense
CommonSense
9 years ago

Kernel Flickitov,

And these aren’t for canti’s. Disc brakes put a lot more stress on the wheel, which is why they opted for a 28h build. I did a quick review of some recent pro-bike builds. Some run 24h, some run 28h.

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Jeb
Jeb
9 years ago

Hidden nipple tubulars are the straight up lamest bike part made.

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bazookasean
bazookasean
9 years ago

Hidden nipple tubulars are a disappointment. Otherwise they look great!

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RobertW
RobertW
9 years ago

Enve rims never really did it for me. I prefer Gluttone or Luste.

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
9 years ago

Re: CommonSense, I’m running a d-brake cx for the last 4 seasons with a 24h front so this isn’t new to me, and I have absolutely no problems with braking performance or durability as per my first post. I have a spare set of White Industries CLD hubs 28/24h that I’m looking to get rebuilt with nice rims like these, but I can’t because NO 24h!. My question still stands; how in the world does one of the world’s premier carbon rim mfg’s justify their pricing with no hole count options when there are a TON of aftermarket hub makers doing 24h fronts, some even have 24h rears for disc?

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PsiSquared
PsiSquared
9 years ago

If you don’t like 28h rims, don’t buy them. I’m pretty sure that Enve has no problem selling its rims, and its very likely that their sales justify whatever reasoning they’ve used. Of course its well known that 4 spokes and 4 nipples add massive mass to a wheel.

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RobertW
RobertW
9 years ago

Kernel, the reason is simple: Enve rims are molded. They restrict their hole counts to reduce cost and pass the savings on to you, the customer.

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
9 years ago

Re: RobertW, I see now, molded spoke holes. Thanks for the succinct and rational answer Robert! Makes perfect sense now, that process must take many more hours to complete than just drilling like everyone else does. I just may reconsider going to a 28h front CLD to get these built, and all it took was a reasonable reply. Thanks again!

(deleted)

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puchio
puchio
9 years ago

what’s the deal with moderation on this page? you say something negative and the goon squad comes in and deletes because dissing a product hurts kick backs or ad sales, whatever it’s a sad state of affairs and kind of a joke

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Kristi Benedict
Admin
Kristi Benedict
9 years ago
Reply to  puchio

@puchio, if you have any questions about comment moderation, please read our Comments Policy here: https://bikerumor.com/comments-policy/

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aaron
aaron
9 years ago

(deleted)

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jm
jm
9 years ago

ENVE charges a premium, no doubt about that. However, when I call for customer service for one of my clients, I get a level of service from ENVE ( AJ ) that is unparalleled in this industry. I sell ENVE based on premium product and even better customer service. I have sold $10k big brand bikes and they have not even come close to ENVE’s level of product backing. Some times you get what you pay for, in the case of ENVE you get so much more. That being said, I still can’t afford them.

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logic
logic
9 years ago

I am a current owner of the Enve 29’er XC Disc Tubulars. I absolutely love them, but I too would like to know what the difference between those and these are. I’m pretty sure mine don’t have a rim brake track either. Weights look pretty dang close. Sell me on why I should ‘upgrade’ if that helps?

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