SMART ENVE SYSTEM - DISC BRAKE TECHNOLOGY

The SES Disc wheel family represents the combination of the latest SES aero technologies and ENVE mountain wheel technologies to create the fastest, most stable and durable, disc brake specific aero road wheels in the industry.

OPTIMIZED FOR 
AERODYNAMICS & DISC BRAKES

Disc brakes remove the design constraints put in place by brake tracks. With no braking surface required, we started from scratch to design an aero rim shape that is solely optimized for bikes with disc brakes.

Ultimately, we found that a subtle change in the curvature of the rim at the brake track provided the best improvement to the airflow. The improved tire and rim interface created by the new rim shape creates a more stable wheelset in strong and variable wind conditions.

The SES Disc family of wheels like the second generation SES rim brake model 4.5 and 7.8 feature dissimilar rim geometries between the front and rear rims. With the newest generation SES rim and disc brake models, the front rim features a different profile and curvature than the rear rim. The reason for this change is to improve stability and dynamic response compared to the first generation SES wheel models. On the road these changes in rim shape amount to quicker feeling acceleration and amazing stability in variable wind conditions.

DISC BRAKE 
SPECIFIC CONSTRUCTION

SES Disc rims are not simply repurposed rim brake models with more spokes and decals covering the brake track.

As mentioned above, disc brakes remove the design constraints imposed by rim brakes and heat management. As such, a truly optimized disc brake specific road rim will feature a fundamentally different construction than a rim brake optimized wheel of the same model.

SES Disc rims are light weight, optimally stiff and impact resistant. When compared to similar depth SES rim brake models, the SES Disc rims are generally 30-60 grams lighter per rim. Lighter rims are quicker when accelerating and more responsive when changing direction or braking because the mass has been shifted from the rim (higher rotational inertia) to the hub (lower rotational inertia) with disc brake wheelsets.

OPTIMIZED FOR LARGER 
VOLUME ROAD TIRES

Disc brakes present the opportunity to design bike frames with clearance for wide rims and higher volume tires. Consequently, this opens up the design window for wheel development. Larger tires can provide improved rolling resistance (i.e. you go faster w/ less effort), comfort, stability, and confidence when cornering. As such, SES Disc wheels are wider and optimized for tires with branded widths of 25mm.

By going wider, aerodynamic and rolling efficiencies are improved to create a more holistically efficient frame, wheel, and tire system.

ROAD TUBELESS 
COMPATIBLE

Road tubeless technology has been around for quite some time, but for various reasons, road cyclists have been slow to adopt this technology.

The proliferation of disc brakes on road bikes has created the right environment where road tubeless tire and wheel systems prosper. Here is why:

• Road tubeless requires dimensional precision at the rim and tire interface to maintain an airtight seal. Disc brakes make tubeless systems more reliable because they remove the challenge of dimensional integrity in the presence of braking induced heat.
• More tire and rim volume means a more user friendly tubeless experience.  Large volume tires and rims make for easier tire installation and removal.

The SES Disc model wheelsets usher in a new era of real-world SES aero technology with rim geometries and shapes specifically optimized for disc brake equipped road and triathlon bicycles.