ENVE ANNOUNCES NEW M-SERIES MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEEL LINE

(ENVE PRESS RELEASE)

ENVE releases their fifth-generation M Series wheel line following a four-year development project with the world’s top athletes. The result is a complete line from cross-country to downhill models that feature unique front and rear rim shapes, new front and rear-specific carbon layups, and ENVE’s own INNERDRIVE mountain hubs, raising the standard for ride quality, reliability, and toughness.

Four new wheels create the M Series line, spanning from XC to DH race:

• M5 Pro: XC Race

• M6: Trail/E-MTB Light

• M8: Enduro/Gravity Race/E-MTB

• M9 Pro: Enduro/Gravity Race/E-MTB

“With each new generation of M Series, we set objectives to improve upon the performance that the previous generation delivered. The theme and focus of this new M Series is ride quality without sacrificing the foundation of reliability and toughness that the M Series wheel products are known for,” stated Jake Pantone, VP of Product. “Simply put, every detail and opportunity has been explored to ensure that this latest generation M Series is the best riding wheel on the trail or between the tape.”

COMPLIANCE, DURABILITY, AND FLAT RESISTANCE

New rim shapes were developed with ENVE’s professional athletes, including downhill World Cup team Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction, with input from champions Amaury Pierron and Myriam Nicole.

“They wanted the damped ride feel of alloy rims, but without sacrificing the durability of carbon. Specifically, they wanted assurance that they would never lose a practice or race run to a tire or rim failure,” stated Sports Marketing Director, Neil Shirley. “This was accomplished thanks to the new shapes, carbon layups, and ENVE’s patented Protective Rim Strip. The results speak for themselves, as ENVE riders have accomplished over 19 World Cup downhill wins on the new M8 and M9 throughout the development project.”

These learnings informed cross-country development, where improved traction, durability, comfort, and power transfer were all targeted. ENVE engineers incorporated the shape and layup principles learned in downhill to create the best balance of these attributes for world-class XC racers. This led to wins in both World Cup and Lifetime Grand Prix events.

Each wheel model features unique front and rear rim shapes and carbon layups. The external widths are nearly identical front and rear, but internal widths trend wider in the front and narrower in the rear. This optimizes tire shape and volume for traction in the front with more forgiveness in the back. Additionally, the carbon layup of the rim itself is unique front to rear, with the front providing more vertical and lateral flex to contour to trail features and provide vibration damping for the rider. The rear rims trend slightly stiffer and stronger, delivering efficient power transfer and impact toughness. Going to shallower rim depths throughout the line was also critical in achieving the desired improvements in compliance. Because of the change in rim depth, moving to an external molded spoke hole and external nipples was necessary.

The M5 Pro, M6, and M8 all incorporate ENVE’s patent-pending Wide Hookless Bead technology to prevent pinch flats and rim damage. Rear rims feature a wider hookless bead design due to the impact forces that are typically higher compared to the front wheel. The M9 Pro uses ENVE’s patented Protective Rim Strip, which replaces rim tape with a polyurethane strip that protects the rim and creates a tubeless seal independent of the rim structure.

M SERIES INNERDRIVE HUBS

All wheels are built to ENVE’s new and proven INNERDRIVE mountain hubs, which feature an oversized ratchet mechanism that maximizes power transmission and system reliability. By designing around an oversized ratchet, ENVE delivers four ratchet options – 40t (9°), 60t (6°), 80t (4.5°), 100t (3.6°), allowing riders to customize their hubs to their desired engagement. All M Series wheel models will ship with the 80t ratchet installed. INNERDRIVE mountain hubs feature premium-grade full stainless-steel bearings for low maintenance and high performance regardless of riding conditions. M5 and M6 wheel models feature straight-pull center lock hub shells, while the M8 and M9 use a j-bend hub shell with both center lock and 6-bolt options (110×15 Center Lock only).

MANUFACTURING EFFICIENCIES

In addition to the INNERDRIVE Hubs that deliver increased performance, reliability, and value, ENVE continues to refine their manufacturing processes, resulting in cost savings that are passed on to the customer. A new bladder material is used that eliminates the need for bladder patches on the rim, which reduces material and labor costs. This allows ENVE to reduce the cost across the entire line compared to the previous generation. Like all ENVE rims, the new M Series line is handmade at their Ogden, Utah facility.

The new M Series is available now and shipping worldwide to ENVE retail and distribution partners as well as ENVE.com. All M Series models will be retailed in the U.S. for USD $2300.