ENVE

SES Disc Brake Wheel - Clincher

ENVE's goal with its SES Disc Wheel was to create the fastest rear wheel available. Taking a full five years to develop, ENVE scrutinized every detail including aerodynamics, naturally, but also rolling resistance, braking, and overall ride quality. This disc rear wheel comes ready for you to install your cassette and tubeless or clincher tire of choice and set it up on your rim brake Tri or TT speed machine and crush some PRs or set a new KOM.

ENVE built the SES Disc at the request of its sponsored road team, Dimension Data, and professional triathletes who were looking for maximum efficiency on flatter and less windy race courses where the average speeds are consistently over 27mph. Above those speeds, a rear disc is the most aerodynamic option so it begs the question, why did it take ENVE so long to develop one? ENVE decided that a disc had to deliver a significant step forward in performance and ride quality over its already proven SES 7.8 wheelset.

It, like all of its SES wheels, begins with Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis with its long-term partner and consultant aerodynamicist, Simon Smart of Smart Aero Technology. Countless prototypes were assessed in the Mercedes-AMG Formula One wind tunnel and subtle shape iterations were evaluated to deliver class-leading aerodynamics at high race speeds. Once that shape was solidified, the best methods for construction taking into account strength, weight and stiffness were considered.

To hit those criteria, ENVE built the SES Disc’s sidewalls using spread tow carbon fiber technology. Spread tow carbon fiber fabrics deliver a more even fiber distribution and filament straightness making it possible to achieve a thinner carbon fiber laminate that maximizes weight savings without compromising strength and durability. The spread tow fiber layers are molded and subsequently bonded to a machined PMI closed-cell foam core, ensuring best in class durability, weight savings, and stiffness. PMI delivers all the benefits of more traditional honeycomb type cores, but features superior impact resistance and more importantly delivers best in class sheer strength amongst other core materials.

The carbon is maximized by running long, uninterrupted fibers throughout the wheel. By adjusting the fiber angles of the disc wheel’s laminate, it's able to tune the ride quality of the wheel to achieve the desired balance of stiffness and comfort. Furthermore, it's molded in one piece, eliminating the potential of delamination or failure at a bonded joint. The one-piece molded design also saves weight by eliminating the need to glue the wheel together or over-wrap bond joints in a secondary co-molding process. This construction also allows for a wheel that's as lightweight as it is strong.

Other details include its Molded Valve Window. ENVE is well-versed in the process of molding carbon fiber and every rim that’s ever left its facility features molded spoke and valve holes. Well, this SES Disc doesn't feature spoke holes or spokes at all, however, it molds a generous valve window that offers ample room for the included pump attachment and is easily covered with a sticker to preserve the wheel's aerodynamics.

SES returning details include its textured brake track offering excellent wet and dry weather performance with 30-percent less lever force required for the same stopping power along with exceptional heat management. What's at play here is the molded-in brake surface texture which provides more friction and allows water to be cleared almost instantly. Next up comes its advanced high-temp resin system which eliminates heat build-up issues that often plague other carbon clinchers. Lastly, ENVE's brake pad compound is designed to work with the molded texture to provide incredible all-weather stopping power as well as durability.

Last up, ENVE bestowed its tubeless optimized design on the SES Disc promising higher speeds, better comfort, more grip, and puncture resistance. The latest tubeless tires are testing with the lowest rolling resistance and with the ability to run lower tire pressures without the risk of a pinch flat, you'll experience a smoother ride and more traction especially over poor road surfaces. Additionally, a splash of sealant prevents debris punctures from ruining your race or training.