The SES 4.5 wheelset is said to be optimised for 27 to 29c tyres, with the rim tested using ENVE’s own 700 x 27c SES tyres. That said, ENVE warns that the use of 33c rubber and wider negates the aero performance of the wheels, and suggests its G Series wheels are a better bet for gravel riding. You could also, if you wanted, run the SES 4.5 wheelset on a gravel bike with up to 700 x 50c tyres. The Roval wheelsets also have varied rim widths, but the SES 4.5 hoops feature a consistent 25mm internal width, and 32mm external width front and rear.īoth measurements are on the wider side of what’s currently considered progressive for road bike wheels, straying into gravel territory.ĮNVE says going wider leads to a whole host of benefits, including the ability to run wider tyres at lower pressures in an aerodynamically efficient setup. The front wheel is shallower to help improve handling on windy days.īikeRadar testers (myself included) have had positive experiences with such a design on Roval’s Rapide CL II and Rapide CLX II wheels, as well as Parcours’ Strade wheelset.

The theory goes that because it’s less ‘vulnerable’ to crosswinds, the rear wheel can be deeper and therefore more aerodynamically optimised. The rims follow a mullet principle – a deeper 55mm profile at the rear is paired with a 49mm-deep rim at the front.

ENVE claims it best hits the sweetspot between aerodynamic performance and stability, weight and versatility for fast road riding.ĮNVE says it tests its wheelsets at the industry-ballpark 30mph/48kph, plus at 20mph/32kph – all the better, it claims, to optimise for the speeds people actually ride at. The 4.5 on test here sits in the middle ground, slightly deeper, but heavier, than the 3.4. The range comprises four wheelsets: from the shallowest, lightest 2.3, up to the deepest, most aerodynamic 6.7.

The ENVE SES range was updated in mid-2022, simplifying the brand’s top-tier line-up compared to previous generations. The SES 4.5’s internal rim width is a whopping 25mm.

How to Catch a Biker by Ana Ashley