October 22, 2015 – Ogden, Utah, USA – ENVE is pleased to announce a new cyclocross wheelset that has been developed specifically for racing. ENVE has long produced rim and wheel models that have proven themselves on the toughest cyclocross courses in the world, the ENVE CX targets cyclocross racers looking for the ultimate in cyclocross specific performance. As such, the new wheel is available as a disc specific tubular model only.
In terms of structure the new ENVE CX rim is designed to be more forgiving over rough and variable terrain. “A common thread in the feedback from our athletes was the desire for a more forgiving carbon rim. As a cross racer myself I wanted to create a rim that rolled faster and more forgivingly over rough and rooty cross courses, and this new cross specific rim accomplishes that,” stated Senior Engineer, Kevin Nelson.
In addition to being a faster rolling and damp ride, the ENVE CX features a cyclocross tire optimized tire bed and gluing surface. This surface is designed specifically for tires that fall within the UCI 33mm width limit. The tire bed utilizes woven carbon fiber to provide a more durable surface for frequent tire installations and removals.
The ENVE CX wheelset is disc brake optimized which means that it cannot be used with rim brakes. ENVE, pioneers of the modern carbon fiber mountain bike rim are quick to point out that disc specific means that a rim doesn’t have to accommodate the wear and tear generated by braking on the surface of the rim. Ultimately, ENVE’s disc specific designs allow for a more efficient rim structures that are light, stiff, and strong.
In addition to the aforementioned features ENVE explained that the interface between tire and rim have been refined to limit the incidence and possibilities of pinch flatting. “Pinch flats can be a real problem in cyclocross racing when in order to have optimized traction you need to run lower tire pressure. Then there is the fact that a cyclocross tubular isn’t inexpensive. The rim profile is more rounded at the rim’s edge which drastically decreases the incidence of pinch flats,” stated Director of Marketing Jake Pantone.
The ENVE CX rim weighs 285 grams and is available as a 28 hole count only. Complete wheelsets are available built on DT Swiss or Chris King hub sets. The ENVE CX rims and wheelsets will begin shipping at the end of October to ENVE retail and distribution partners worldwide.
About ENVE
Located in Ogden, Utah, ENVE Composites is a manufacturer of handmade carbon fiber bicycle rims and components. Partnering with the prominent frame builders of our time and the world’s best athletes, ENVE combines the best composite technologies with real world athlete feedback to provide our customers with the ultimate in performance, durability, and quality. ENVE designs and manufactures 100% of their rims in their Ogden, Utah, USA facility.
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