ENVE

SES 4.5 Carbon Road Wheelset - Tubular

ENVE's SES 4.5 Carbon Road Tubular Wheelset meets what may be the last two reasonable demands that any sprinter/puncheur/climber could make of the celebrated Utah-based manufacturer. First, we wanted a mid-depth rim that fills the gap between the climb-happy 3.4s and the cruise-missile aerodynamics of the 6.7s. Second, we want the inimitable road feel, low rolling resistance, reduced weight, and plush ride of tubs. We really didn't have to ask, though, as the SES 4.5 Tubs' combination of aerodynamics, low weight, and tubular tires made them an inevitable addition to ENVE's line and the inevitable choice on race day.

Like the rest of the SES line, the 4.5s' rims aren't subjected to static, arbitrary NACA widths and shapes. Instead, the engineers let each wheel's depth requirements dictate the ideal dimensions in order to reduce lateral forces and increase aerodynamic benefits across a wide range of yaw angles. This is evident in everything from the rim's rounded inner face to the position-specific dimensions for the wheels, which takes the shallow, stable front and deep, aerodynamic rear wheel philosophy to its logical extreme.

The result is that the 4.5 handles crosswinds and gusts with the confident stability of a wheelset with half its depth by building up a side-force equal to the changing angle of the wind. While this sounds like so much marketing palaver, it's verified by a Stability Index, an externally developed testing protocol borrowed from the Formula One industry. ENVE remains the only cycling manufacturer with the confidence to measure its wheels by such a demanding metric.

To rate a wheelset on this index, the front wheel is subjected to quick changes in wind degree at set yaw angles, and the steering torque of user-correction is then measured. This helped ENVE dial the wheels to handle with intuitive predictability, even in gusty conditions or frequently changing wind angles.

Of course, we also recognize that aerodynamics and handling are absolutely meaningless if a wheelset crumbles at the first sign of less-than-optimal road conditions, so we expect ENVE's obsessive engineering to carry over into the wheels' materials and layup. ENVE routes the fibers around each hole in a 100% intact design — no cutting, machining, or drilling required. By continuously wrapping the fibers, ENVE adds strength, boosts rigidity, and allows for less material and a lighter rim. The use of a removable bladder also keeps weight down compared to other wheels, so the SES series boasts the highest claimed strength-to-weight ratio on the market.

The SES 4.5 Tubs are finished with your choice of two of the best hubs in the world, rolling on the much beloved DT Swiss 240s hubs or accompanied by the signature song of Chris King's slightly R45s.