Following last year’s launch of its latest M Series wheels, ENVE Composites has partnered with Alchemy Factory Racing (AFR) as the official wheel, handlebar and stem supplier for the US based downhill MTB team. Wheel specialist ENVE adds that gravity racing runs deep in its DNA.
Since entering the scene in 2007 ENVE notes that it has secured notable achievements and firsts in the sport, establishing carbon as the go-to material for performance gravity mountain bike wheels and components: ENVE was the first to win on 26”, 27.5”, and 29” carbon wheels; ENVE was the first carbon wheel to win a Downhill World Cup, first to win the World Cup overall title, and first to win the Elite DH World Championship.
ENVE’s handlebars have enjoyed similar results, with a myriad of wins, two World Championships, and over 70 World Cup podiums since 2010. While ENVE has long been heavily involved with World Cup downhill racing and product development, 2018 marks ENVE’s entry into the latest gravity arena with a consolidated racing campaign in the Enduro World Series.
“For a few years now, we’ve been looking for the right opportunity to become more involved with the Enduro World Series,” said ENVE Marketing Director Jake Pantone. “When Alchemy presented this program to us, the decision to partner with them was an easy one. The riders were right, and since we have a long working relationship and established baselin ewith the team’s other technical partners, we’re hitting the ground running in 2018.”
Jake Pantone continued “Before [Enve’s] latest generation of M Series wheels, the biggest challenge faced by our endure racers and riders has been pinch-flatting. To reduce the frequency and possibility of pinch-flatting our riders and many others were running heavier tyres, tyre inserts, and always more tyre pressure than preferred, all of which results in compromised ride quality.
“The new M7 and M9 Series wheels that feature our patented Protective Rim Strips eliminate pinch-flats and allow riders to run any tyre and pressure they prefer. By eliminating pinch-flats, we reduce the likelihood of a broken rim because most of the rim damage we see is reported to happen immediately after the impacts that flat the tyre. We firmly believe the new M Series offers a real competitive advantage that will deliver our riders to the finish line faster and more consistently than your ordinary wheel could.”
In addition to new technologies that help to protect the tyre from pinch flats and rim from damage, each model in the new M Series has been refined to ensure that riders looking for their perfect wheel have options from XC to E-MTB. Each wheel model has been crafted by ENVE for a specific rider profile defined by the terrain, bike, tyres, and demands of the rider.
The M Series is made up of 7 new models, each available in 27.5 and 29 inch diameters. These models are the M525, M630, M635, M640, M730, M735 and M930. The M5 and M6 Series wheels are ENVE’s XC and Trail category wheels while the M7 and M9 Series wheels are targeted at Enduro and Downhill riders. The last two numbers of each wheel model indicate the rim’s inner width for exacting tyre selection and fitment.
ENVE’s new M Series will carry the company’s 5-year warranty and lifetime product guarantee. Highlighted in this warranty is the fact that ENVE’s warranty covers all forms of impact damage. ENVE’s retail partners are now accepting pre-orders for the new M Series. The first deliveries will take place in late October 2017.
All ENVE teams will be running the new M Series in 2018. ENVE’s professional mountain bike team roster includes: Alchemy Factory Racing, Intense Factory Racing, Orbea Enduro Team and Cannondale Factory Racing.
