The distinguishing feature of all SES rims is that the front and rear rims are designed specifically for their respective positions on the bike. The front rim is shallower and wider that the rear to maximize stability ensuring rider confidence. The rear rim is deeper to maximize air flow reduction. In the case of the SES AR rims shapes, they are been optimized for 28-32mm tires with 28mm tires providing the maximum drag reduction and highest performance handling characteristics.

Additionally, we at ENVE view aerodynamics through the lens of the real world rider and focus our development efforts to provide real benefits to our customers, not just the data output from the wind tunnel. As an example, SES AR rim shapes were tested at 32kph/20mph as well as the more traditional 48kph/30mph to ensure that aero efficiencies are maximized at the speeds where rider’s need them most.

In 2017, ENVE introduced the patent pending Wide Hookless Bead anti pinch-flat and rim protection technology. This technology creates a wide leading edge for the tire to impact against, dissipating the impact energy across a larger surface area and reducing trauma to the tire that frequently results in a pinch-flat. Because this technology reduces the likelihood of a pinch-flat, the rim becomes less susceptible to impact damage – raising ENVE’s own bar of reliability.

While disc brakes are a relatively new to road cycling, they have been standard equipment on mountain bikes for nearly 20 years and we’ve been making disc brake specific mountain bike rims since day one. Given our experience in making mountain bike rims, we had a bit of a head start when it came time to develop disc brake specific rims for the road.

On the surface one carbon rim looks a lot like the next, but a rim’s quality is all in the details of the laminate. ENVE SES Disc wheelsets feature disc brake optimized full carbon construction. By sweating these details, ENVE SES Disc rims lead the industry in weight savings. Given our experience developing carbon rims capable of withstanding the demands of the world’s best mountain bike racers on the most demanding courses, SES disc brake specific construction also delivers industry leading impact toughness and reliability.

The SES 3.4 AR features the same tubeless tire bed design as ENVE G Series gravel and M Series mountain wheels. That is to say, the SES 3.4 AR features a hook bead free design. The reasons for this type of construction are as follows.

Aerodynamic Performance – The hookless bead is completely flat on the inner wall, allowing for a more refined interface between tire and rim, improving airflow performance.

Tubeless Performance – While tubeless is relatively new to the road, it has been the standard in mountain biking for over 15 years. Optimized tubeless performance, that is to say a tubeless rim and tire combination that doesn’t leak air or burp air when impacted, is only possible when the tire and rim dimensions are within prescribed tolerances so that the tire can achieve a seal on the tire bed of the rim. By eliminating hookbeads, our rim’s bead seat dimensions can be molded to more exacting tolerances, maximizing safety and ensuring reliable tubeless performance.