Introducing The SES Disc Rear Wheel

By Enve
Posted on Oct 11, 2018

Enve (United States) - Press Release: The SES Disc wheel is the outright fastest rear wheel available. It is the culmination of nearly five years of development. During this process we considered not only aerodynamics but also rolling resistance, braking, and ride quality. The SES Disc is available as a tubeless clincher in both rim and disc brake models.

Who It's For:

The SES Disc wheel is for elite and professional time trialists and triathletes who are looking for maximum efficiency for race courses where average speeds will exceed 27mph.

Why We Made It:

Beyond 27mph, at the high speeds experienced by professionals and the best amateur athletes, a rear disc wheel is the most aerodynamic solution. Every aspect of efficiency must be considered at these speeds, and we spared no expense in development.

Some will ask why it has taken so long for Enve to develop a rear disc. Simply, we only wanted to make a disc that delivers a significant step forward in performance and ride quality over our flagship SES 7.8. We took our time to get it right.

To achieve the bar-raising performance of the SES Disc, we developed every aspect: aerodynamics, tubeless compatibility, construction, and braking. Like all SES products, the SES Disc was developed using state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis by our long-term partner and consultant aerodynamicist, Simon Smart of Smart Aero Technology. Prototypes were assessed in the Mercedes-AMG Formula One wind tunnel and the subtle shape iterated to deliver class-leading aerodynamics at high race speeds.

Technology:

Spread Tow Sidewall Construction:

The SES Disc’s sidewalls are constructed 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 SES Disc uses spread tow fibers molded and subsequently bonded to a machined PMI foam core, ensuring best in class durability, weight savings, and stiffness.

PMI Sidewall Core:

The SES Disc features a machined PMI (polymethacrylimide) foam core sandwiched between layers of spread tow fibers. PMI is an advanced closed cell foam that 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 material candidates. The SES Disc’s incredible lightweight, stiffness, and durability are made possible by use of PMI.

One-Piece Molded Construction:

The SES Disc is molded in one-piece. By molding the wheel in one-piece we are able to eliminate potential 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.

The Enve SES Disc’s one-piece molded construction allows for a wheel that while lightweight, is also strong. Carbon fiber is maximized by running long uninterrupted carbon fibers throughout the wheel. By adjusting the fiber angles of the disc wheel’s laminate, we are able to tune the ride quality of the wheel to achieve a desired balance of stiffness and comfort.

Molded Valve Window:

The finishing touch is a generous valve window that is molded, not cut, making this disc as easy to live with as it is rewarding to ride. Ample room for the pump attachment that’s provided with every disc purchase.

Textured Full Carbon Brake Track:

With near equal wet and dry performance, 30% less lever force required for the same stopping power and exceptional heat management, it’s no wonder that BikeRadar.com said our latest brake track “sets new standards for carbon wheels”. Your rim brake bike will be given a huge braking performance boost.
There are three elements, all the product of relentless research and development. First is the molded-in brake surface texture which provides more friction and allows water to be cleared almost instantly. Second is the advanced high-temp resin system which eliminates the heat build-up issues that other carbon clinchers can suffer, so you can ride long descents with total confidence. Third is our unique ENVE Black pad compound which is designed to work with the molded texture to provide incredible all-weather stopping power along with good durability.

Need to know:

The best carbon braking, period. Near equal wet and dry performance
30% less lever force required for the same stopping power
Advanced high-temp resin system eliminates heat build-up issues during heavy braking on long descents
Specific Enve Black Carbon Brake Pads included

Road Tubeless Compatible:

Greater speed, comfort, grip and puncture resistance – what’s not to like about road tubeless? With the selection of a high performance tire at the right pressure, you can achieve lower rolling resistance and more speed. Tubeless also allows you to run much lower tire pressures for far greater comfort, traction, and efficiency, especially over poor road surfaces and gravel, all without sacrificing speed. The potential for pinch flats and, with sealant, debris punctures is all but eliminated.

Enve recognized early that road tubeless technology is here to stay and we drew on our years of experience making the world’s best mountain bike wheels to optimize the SES range for tubeless (excluding the current SES 4.5). With rims going wider and frames giving more tire clearance, the key aspects of bike design were aligned to make tubeless the best choice: wider rims make it easier to mount tubeless tires. Disc brakes add even more benefits for tubeless, typically allowing larger tires as well as removing issues of heat at the rim.

Need to know: