Carbon rim and component manufacturer ENVE Composites is introducing a new line of road wheelsets built around DT Swiss 350 hubs.
The new line of three tubular and two clincher wheelsets will retail for US$1,850 for the tubulars and US$2,050 for the clinchers. 'Affordable' is certainly a relative term; the use of DT Swiss 350 hubsets cuts the price down by more than US$600 over the company's other Classic line of wheelsets, which use DT Swiss 180 and 240 hubs, as well as Chris King R45 hubs.
DT Swiss 350 hubs balance performance and price
All ENVE wheels are built in the company's headquarters in Ogden, Utah. The rims use spoke holes that are molded, rather than drilled, into the carbon. ENVE claims this allows for greater spoke tension and increases reliability over the more common method of drilling the spoke holes into the carbon rim.The rims also have a textured braking surface for improved power and modulation.
ENVE expects to begin shipping the wheelsets later this month.
Here's the price and weight breakdown of the new wheels.
Model
Hub
Front (g)
Rear (g)
Total (g)
Spoke
Hole Count
US MSRP
25 Tubular
DT350
513
651
1164
Mach Prime
20/24
$1,850.00
45 Tubular
DT350
558
696
1254
Mach Prime
20/24
$1,850.00
65 Tubular
DT350
623
761
1384
Mach Prime
20/24
$1,850.00
45 Clincher
DT350
713
851
1564
Mach Prime
20/24
$2,050.00
65 Clincher
DT350
763
901
1664
Mach Prime
20/24
$2,050.00
Array