ENVE 4.5 SES Wheels - A Walking Contradiction

Dragonspine Cycling

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#ENVE

Camera Gear:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, GoPro HERO9 Black, Insta 360 GO 2
Lenses:
Canon 35L, 85L, 100mm Macro, 70-200 L 2.8 II

[cyberx]

Nicely done, another excellent review Patrick! A couple of things to mention: #1). These ENVE SES 4.5 wheels are slightly tighter/harder to mount tires on them because ENVE makes sure that the rim to tire interface is tighter and more secure so that there are no issues with tubeless tires spontaneously blowing off their hookless rims. #2). A good method for mounting tubeless tires is to use a soapy sponge and lightly wet both edges of the tubeless tires before mounting. This makes mounting the tires extremely easy, fast, and the tire bead will snap into place on the first try after adding air. #3). The somewhat harsh ride you were feeling from the wheelset could be the result of running tubes inside of the tubeless tires. ENVE designed these wheels to have a certain amount of compliance in them when they are run tubeless. #4). ENVE’s new Innerdrive hubs are really nice, and much better than their previous hubs. However, I had a custom set of these ENVE SES 4.5 wheels built up with a set of Tactics TR01 hubs, and the overall performance of the wheelset is truly impressive! Also, because the Tactics hubs are so extremely light, the complete wheelset only weighed a total of 1, 314 grams, which is crazy light for a wheelset of this depth. #5). I agree with you 100%, the value of these wheels is very expensive compared to similar performance from some other Chinese brands. One of the reasons it might make sense to pay a little more for ENVE wheels is because these wheels are built in the USA (Utah) by an American company, and ENVE’s customer service is excellent if you ever have a problem with the wheels.

[ginomordocco]

I have an Enve Melee and built it with Elite Drive 50’s with the carbon spokes. I couldn’t shake the fact that I had an Enve frame without Enve wheels on it. So I sold the Elites and got some Enve 45 Foundations. The foundations were more comfortable due to the steel spokes but just felt dead. After a few months I bit the bullet and went all in on a used set of the new Enve 4.5’s. Game changed. All I can say. Not sure what magic is in them but they are the best wheels out there.

[nitrouspeed]

My neighbor’s dad started Enve. Before the company got really big I got good deals on all the products back in the early 2010s and will always be an Enve fanboy.

[TrumpetEeps]

I love that thumbs up on the free hub sound check you did, your comedic timing works and your videos are getting better and better. Well done, sir!

[grogbroch]

Great review as usual. Please include a category ranking the comfort levels in your comprehensive wheelset review please.

[TonyOnBike]

I have these, i chipped 2 rear wheels in the last 15 months one from big rock on the corner and other time had someone rear end me and scraped the wheel. Enve sent me new set each time within 2days after i sent them a pick. I even used the hub from damaged wheel to mount on my training wheel set. They don’t ask u to send old set back just need to damage the wheel and sent a pick. So yea i love Enve for their crash replacement and warranty

[CycoWarriorx]

That’s about the fairest review I’ve seen on Enve… some other reviewers would have you believe these are better than grandma’s hands…nothing beats G’Ma’s.. lol… great review PL!! 😎🙌🏽🍻

[bebopman]

I own a set of these (w/ DT 240 hubs + 60T ratchet) that I bought from Pros Closet in early ‘23 RIGHT before the big boom in far east carbon wheels. I agree with pretty much everything you said as far as the pros and cons. They’re incredible when it comes to wind stability and are mad comfortable, but finicky when it comes to compatible tire choices, mounting the tire, and the exorbitant price (mine were used and still around $2K). Also, you’re technically only supposed to run 29mm+ tires (according to ETRO) with either tubeless or butyl tubes (according to my emails with ENVE). That being said, it’s my dream wheelset, and having my hands on them is surreal. Given a second go around with money being no object, I’d get these same 4.5s with Chris King hubs.

[Jacob]

For real, it would indeed be ENVE, spot on!
👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[jimlee]

They are not designed to have a tube inside . Hence took u 30 mins to setup 😂. My LBS just setup them within 5 mins using Conti GP5000 STR.

Ok coming from ROVAL CLX, RSL 51, older Enves also the best of Superteam all carbonspokes … the new Enve 4.5 vs them all. 1) the hub sound is the sweetest ever! Sound like a fighter jet zoom in the target❤ 2) stiffness. the new straight pull spokes made a huge difference on off saddle ride. 3). Comfy and yet stiff. 4) fast spin up to close the gap.

End of the day it is expensive but there are even more expensive wheels out there that doesn’t come with excellent support n services.

[hunterkendig]

Great review Patrick! I actually just got a pair of 4.5s to build up an Enve melee. I haven’t taken them for a ride yet but actually had no trouble mounting a pair of 29mm Enve ses tires. TBD how they perform when I take them out on the road!

[MrGarycoww]

Love the presentation my man.
Can we get to hear the records as you weigh the wheels please 😊

[RookYZRM]

I’m with the Nero guys on the tubeless topic, amazed you haven’t made the switch. I made the switch a few years ago and they’re better in every way, better ride, more grip, and fewer flats.

[liamcycles]

You need to use tubeless plugs with tubeless technology, I haven’t had to put an inner tube in since I switched to tubeless technology over 2 years ago. You really need to make the switch, it’s a game changer

[ChinCycling]

I have the 4.5s on my Soloist, just put some 30s on and there’s no lightbulb effect at all, love these wheels

[pigupigu]

Imagine testing wheels and reviewing them in 2025 and putting clinchers and tubes on them

[bluemovies]

you can spray soapy water in the edges of the rim to help the tire seat, I've used that trick a few times, especially when putting tubes in tubeless tires

[ScottMoore_xco]

I am running the previous gen 3.4s on my Lynskey R300 (primary bike) which are hooked and run GP5Ks and TPU tubes and am quite happy with them. I am however eyeing some Reserve 42/49s to put on my Crux as a road set up. I'd love to see you do a review on the Reserve Wheels too.

[PatrickLino]

What set of wheels would you choose if budget/value was no concern?

[whitebeardcycles]

Another great review my friend. But ENVE (Like many brands that pigeon hole themselves) I think are hugely overrated. I personally believe any brand with the right marketing team can slap on a logo to any wheel set (within a range spec wise) say they're premium, charge the price, and back it up with CS that's probably never utilized and Boom, a high end brand is born.