• Tuned wave washer applies consistent and even force on bearing stack-up to eliminate bearing play
• Improves bearing efficiency by reducing friction
• Ensures prolonged bearing life when compared to competing systems on the market
• No tools or adjustments required

Hub Flange & Spoke Holes

By pairing the spoke holes on the hub flange we optimize the usage of the hub flange diameter as well as the hub lacing pattern. Here are the benefits of this design:

• Driving spokes are closer to tangent
• More material can be removed from the hub flange saving weight
• Shorter spokes can be used compared to traditional 3X lacing pattern – saving weight
• The driving lever arm is maximized without increasing the flange diameter, thus maximizing torsional stiffness

Flange Area

• ENVE hub has the largest flange diameter but not the highest total area because all excess shell material has been removed between spoke holes.
• This design reduces the tradeoffs between wheel build geometry and weight savings.

The ENVE Road Hubs feature a machined aluminum hub shell that minimizes weight while maximizing wheel stiffness. The rim brake front hub weighs 100g while the rear hub comes in at 252g. The disc brake front hub weighs 126g and the rear 250g. While these weights are for complete hubs, the hub shell itself is the primary opportunity for weight savings. The low weights of the ENVE Road Hub are accomplished via thoughtful machining as well as careful spoke hole placement. By pairing the spoke holes in the hub flange, it is possible to remove more material from the hub shell, reducing weight.

In terms of wheel performance, the hub shell’s geometry and design ensures both lateral and torsional stiffness. Lateral stiffness can be identified as side to side wheel flex. Torsional is fore and aft, or in real world terms, accelerating and braking. As hub designers we are limited to working within the box set by frame design and axle spacing. To maximize lateral stiffness we push the width of the flanges to the maximum possible and are careful to ensure that the flanges or spokes won’t contact calipers, derailleurs, and/or drop outs. To achieve a high level of torsional stiffness, the flange diameters come into play. If they are too tall, they can flex undesirably, or require adding material which increases weight. Too small and stiffness is reduced. Our flange diameters are refined to achieve what we believe is a perfect balance of stiffness and weight.

In the same way that a mediocre hub can bring down a world-class rim, a high maintenance or otherwise underperforming bearing can bring down what would otherwise be a best in class hubset. For this reason ENVE Hubs come spec’d with custom premium grade stainless steel bearings. Those familiar with the original ENVE carbon road hub know that it included ceramic bearings. While ceramic bearings are capable of delivering extremely low rolling resistance and therefore high levels of efficiency, this is primarily achieved by using non-contact bearing seals that eliminate friction between the bearing race and its seal. While fast for the moment, this bearing setup is readily contaminated and if not maintained, bearing performance can be compromised in one ride through harsh weather conditions.

It is our opinion that the stainless steel bearing spec’d in all ENVE hubs is an upgrade over the first generation’s ceramic bearing both in terms of rolling efficiency and long term reliability. To achieve a balance of long term reliability and efficiency contact bearing seals are used anywhere a bearing is exposed to the elements while non-contact type bearing seals are used on all internal bearing faces.

In testing, the stainless steel bearings rolled fast and smooth for literally thousands of miles beyond what the best ceramic bearings were capable of. Additionally, the use of stainless steel means that for cyclists living near the coast, in high humidity, or frequently riding in the rain, your bearings will resist corrosion and look beautiful for years beyond what a traditional bearing is capable of.