An evolution of their patented SES rim shape makes the new version ENVE SES 4.5 a dream wheelset for the performance driven road cyclist and triathlete. The SES 4.5 features uncompromised aerodynamics, stability, lateral stiffness, braking, and cornering prowess. The SES 4.5 is extremely stable, making it the optimal choice for cyclists seeking confidence inspiring aero performance on the windiest of days.
The SES 4.5 maintains all of the same foundational technologies of the Smart ENVE System wheel line which include in-frame aero development and asymmetrical rim geometries In addition the new series have new molded-in, textured braking surfaces. This New Brake Track or NBT is exceptional at stopping, both in the dry and in wet conditions. The original smooth brake surface was already mighty when compared to other top flight carbon wheels but the new dimpled surface allows for more effective water clearance in the wet and significant improvements to heat dissipation in the dry - giving optimal braking in all conditions.
The ENVE SES 4.5 Carbon Clinchers are part of the SES series. The ENVE SMART project was born out of a desire to produce the best wheels possible with clear performance goals in mind: namely high stiffness-to-weight, aerodynamic stability, strength and minimal aerodynamic drag in operation. The result is the ENVE SMART SES series of wheels.
With their unique approach to both research & development and manufacture Enve have raised the bar, creating wheels that are unique and offer a real peformance advantage. Designed and manufactured in-house in Ogden, Utah the production is controlled such that you get the best results possible. ENVE's market leading strength-to-weight ratio is borne from their use of a process called CFD or Continuous Fibre Design. This process is unique in Carbon rim design as it eliminates breaks in the lay-up of the fibre which conveys the highest possible strength. This ENVE patented process of moulding the spoke hole, valve hole and spoke beds also allows wheels to be built with both higher and more even spoke tension giving greater acceleration and a stiffer wheel overall. However it is not the build quality alone that sets these wheels apart rather it is this in combination with innovative and distinct design.
The ENVE SES Smart System 4.5 Carbon Clincher wheels are not only revolutionary in terms of their construction but also their aerodynamics. In order to develop these wheels Enve work in collaboration with aerodynamic-design guru Simon Smart who has worked with Formula One companies to better their aerodynamic performance - serious pedigree! The new SES 4.5 wheel system was refined using the Mercedes GP Petronas Wind tunnel and the SES 4.5 is the fastest rim on the market when tested on a modern aero road or triathlon frame and compared to rims of a similar depth. The new shape of the SES 4.5 is wider than previous SES models to improve aero performance in modern bicycle frames and to improve ride characteristics when paired with tyres between 23mm and 26mm wide as is the trend.
When compared to the original line of SES wheels, the 4.5 essentially matches the aero performance of the SES 6.7 which is a much deeper rim at 60mm in the front and 70mm in the back.
The first key difference in the design process and one that is fundamental in terms of pure performance on the bike is that the wheels perform better in all conditions in a RANGE of bikes and are not just developed and optimized in a single frame. This gives riders of any machine an advantage over other wheel systems that may have been designed with a specific frame manufacturer.
The second and most important development is the shape and profile of the wheels. The ENVE SES Smart System 4.5 wheels use a 48mm deep and 27mm wide front wheel and a 56mm deep and 25.5mm wide rear wheel - wider than the previous version by 1 and 1.5mm respectively. The front wheel's shallower profile and extra width help reduce drag in windy conditions whilst the deeper, narrower rear wheel reduces drag as stability is less affected at the back of the bike. The shapes of the ENVE SES Smart 4.5 wheels yield low drag numbers comparable to many competitors' deeper section wheels.
As well as this enhanced aerodynamic advantage the additional benefit of the ENVE SES Smart system is the much improved stability. As with wind-tunnel tests in Formula One, ENVE and Simon Smart conducted tests to measure transient aerodynamics, a key factor in the handling of any wheel in windy conditions. Effectively, the strain of a corrective counter-steer was measured in the front wheel having been subjected to rapid wind direction changes at set yaw angles. This test represents real-world conditions and ENVE are one of a few non-Formula 1 companies to conduct it. The resultant shapes of the ENVE SES wheels - from 3.4 to 8.9 - yield exceptionally predictable airflow over the rim regardless of wind direction. Indeed, the linear steering response numbers are better even than the Zipp Firecrest series of wheels.
The final piece of the SES puzzle is the reduced weight which is achieved by removing the bladder around which the rim is formed. Most carbon rim manufacturers leave the bladder inside the rim after forming which not only can make wheel building difficult but also adds a significant amount of extra mass in the rim. ENVE spend time and money to remove the bladder to reduce rim weight and allow for a perfectly built wheel.
The wheels feature Chris King's legendary R45 Road hubs - one of the finest road hubs currently available with incredible precision and response and with mind bending attention to engineering detail. Maintained regularly they will last a lifetime and deliver that satisfying and unique Chris King Buzz whenever you freewheel.
All these factors combine to offer the most considered wheels on the market. Lower relative weight, incredible stiffness-to-weight ratios, enhanced aerodynamics and vastly improved stability means that while your competitors have to run lower profile wheels in tricky conditions you can bolt on a deeper section safe in the knowledge that your machine will be stable without a weight penalty, ultimately making you faster. Combine this with ENVE's incredible durability in combination with Chris King hubs and Sapim spokes and you have a set of wheels that will handle even the nastiest of training rides.
The redesigned ENVE SES Smart 4.5 Clinchers are most likely your most versatile wheel for training and racing if you don't live in a particularly hilly area (where the lower profile 3.4 might suit better) whereas the deeper ENVE SES Smart 7.8 Clincher wheels are that much more aerodynamic and a smidge heavier. All 3 sets are available in a tubular to further reduce weight!