When Enve launched its first carbon wheelset for MTB use in 2006, the declared aim was to establish carbon as the ideal material for MTB wheels. The mission has clearly succeeded, as almost all mountain bikes in the high-end segment are now equipped with carbon wheels. If you want a lightweight yet stiff wheelset, carbon fibre is the material of choice.
Enve: 18 years of innovative wheel development
Enve wheels have been continuously developed over the years. After the carbon round wheels became tubeless-compatible in the 2nd generation, Enve introduced hookless technology with Gen 3. This was intended to improve tubeless compatibility, provide more options in terms of rim width and also improve durability. With the 4th generation, the Americans introduced their patented Protective Rim Strip, which was designed to prevent punctures on the rim. For the current and 5th generation of Enve wheels, the developers have set themselves the goal of increasing ride quality, reliability and durability. To achieve this, new rim shapes with different designs and specific carbon layups for the front and rear were created across all disciplines from cross country to downhill, and a special hub called Innerdrive was developed.
Professional input and price reduction!
As with so many manufacturers, Enve also relies heavily on the input and feedback of professional XC and downhill riders when developing its wheels. More exciting is the news that the new M-Series wheels are cheaper than their predecessors. "More huck for your buck" is the motto of the Americans. Enve is thus lowering the prices of all wheelsets by 250 US dollars.
Four new wheels make up the Enve M Series Gen 5
The new Enve M Series Gen 5 consists of a total of four new wheel models. Each model has been specially developed for a specific area of use in order to deliver the best possible performance in the respective terrain.
- M5 Pro: XC racing
- M6: Trail/E-MTB Light
- M8: Enduro/Gravity race/E-MTB
- M9 Pro: Enduro/downhill racing/E-MTB
Enve M5 Pro: lightweight wheels for XC racers
The new Enve M5 Pro wheels are clearly aimed at racing with their low weight and high stiffness. The M5 Pro will only be available in 29 inches. Compared to the old M525 wheels, their rim width has been increased to 29 millimetres at the front and 27 millimetres at the rear.
- Weight 1325 grams
- Specific rim designs for front and rear
- The front is wider (29 mm) and more compliant, maximising support, comfort and directional stability
- The rear wheel rim (27 mm) is optimised for power transmission and robustness
- ASTM 3 classification
- Manufacturer's RRP 2300 US dollars
Enve M6 - the perfect everyday wheel?
The new M6 wheels from Enve are primarily intended to make trail bikers happy who value good acceleration and want a lightweight and durable wheelset. The M6 Series is available in three rim widths - 30 mm, 35 mm and 40 mm for the old M6 wheels - with specific widths for the front (32 mm) and rear (29 mm), as well as full 29 or mullet (29 vo / 27.5 hi).
- Specific rim designs for front and rear
- The front is wider (32 mm) and more compliant, maximising support, comfort and directional stability
- The rear wheel rim (29 mm) is optimised for power transmission and robustness
- 29" front/rear or 29"/27.5"
- Lightweight, durable and comfortable
- Recommended for E-MTB with a maximum torque of 75 NM
- ASTM 4 classification
- Manufacturer's RRP 2300 US dollars
Enve M8 - wheels for gravity and E-MTB use
The Enve M8 wheel should be the right choice for all full-power E-MTBs and gravity bikers. Enve also uses a 32 mm rim width at the front and a 29 mm rim width at the rear. However, the rim flanges have been widened to 5.1 mm for increased stability.
- Specific rim designs for front and rear
- The front is wider and more compliant, maximising support, comfort and directional stability
- The rear wheel is optimised for power transmission and robustness
- 29" vo/hi or 29"/27.5"
- DH longevity without compromising on weight
- Recommended for E-MTB
- ASTM 5 classification
- Manufacturer's RRP 2300 US dollars
M9 Pro - Hardcore wheelset for DH racing from Enve
The new hardcore M9 Pro wheels were developed by Enve in collaboration with downhill athletes from the World Cup and are characterised by their enormous robustness and very good puncture protection. The optional and patented Protective Rim Strip is also used here, which is intended to increase puncture resistance even further and make the use of a puncture protection insert unnecessary. Both the front and rear wheels come with a rim width of 29 millimetres and 6.2 millimetre wide rim flanges.
- Developed with World Cup athletes
- 29" vo/hi or 29"/27.5"
- Protective Rim Strip - patented technology offers increased protection against tyre crushing
- ASTM 5 classification
- Manufacturer's RRP 2300 US dollars
New wheel design for the M Series
The developers took athletes' feedback to heart when designing the new rims. On the one hand, the ride feel is said to have been improved. The new rims should feel more cushioned and closer to the feel of an aluminium rim. At the same time, protection against tyre or rim damage is also said to have been increased. New shapes, carbon layups and - in the M9 Pro Downhill rim - the patented rim protection layer are intended to improve stability.
Each wheel model is characterised by the unique shape of the front and rear rims and the use of carbon. The outer widths are almost identical at the front and rear, but the inner widths tend to be wider at the front and narrower at the rear. This is intended to optimise the shape and volume of the tyre for more traction at the front and more forgiveness at the rear. The carbon layup itself also differs between the front and rear wheels. The front should offer more vertical and lateral flex to better adapt to the trail and dampen vibrations. The rear rims are slightly stiffer and more stable and offer efficient power transfer and impact resistance. The use of shallower rim depths throughout the M Series is designed to improve comfort and compliance. This necessitated the use of external moulded spoke holes and external nipples.
Do carbon wheels have advantages for MTB? We asked ourselves this question in a separate article and carried out extensive research.
New Enve Innerdrive hubs
All wheels are equipped with Enve's new Innerdrive hubs. These are characterised by an oversized ratchet mechanism designed to improve power transmission and system reliability. By developing an oversized ratchet, Enve offers four ratchet options - 40t (9°), 60t (6°), 80t (4.5°), 100t (3.6°), allowing riders to customise their hubs to the desired setting. All M Series wheel models are supplied with the 80t ratchet. The Innerdrive hubs feature high-quality stainless steel bearings for low maintenance and high durability. The M5 and M6 wheel models are equipped with straight pull centre lock hubs. M8 and M9 use a J-Bend hub shell with centre lock and 6-bolt options (110x15 centre lock only).
Stefan Frey
Editor
