Enve unveils a very high-end bike: the Melee

Enve introduces the Melee (pronounced “May-lay”), a road bike specifically designed to meet the high-performance and versatility demands of today’s riders. In 2021, ENVE launched its first complete bike, the Custom Road, manufactured in Ogden, Utah, demonstrating its intention to evolve the brand from a wheel and component specialist to a complete bike brand. Unlike the US-made Custom Road, which features custom geometry, the Melee is available in seven sizes from 47 to 60 cm and manufactured overseas in Enve’s factory.

Source: Press Release – Photos: @jussioksanen

“When we decided it was time for Enve to expand into bike frames, we knew we had to make our first bike here in Ogden and that we wanted it to be custom. At the same time, we understood that due to the constraints of custom manufacturing, the availability of the Custom Road would be limited. Our US manufacturing facility offers us the unique opportunity to design and prototype at a much higher rate than overseas, especially in recent years. The Custom Road is the result of this process; it established a strong foundation upon which we could create the Melee,” said Jake Pantone, Product Manager.

“The Melee is a modern, no-holds-barred race bike, designed specifically to meet the performance demands of the discipline. The Custom Road, while capable of racing at the highest level, prioritizes customization over specific performance parameters such as weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics. The Melee features a monocoque construction that allowed us to refine tube shapes, reduce weight, and increase the bike’s aero efficiency,” Pantone continued.

While mixed surfaces have almost always been present in road racing, it is only recently that they are approachable with a single bike. Versatility has become the very definition of the modern race bike. The Enve Melee features generous tire clearance for 35 mm tires with geometry and handling characteristics optimized for 27 to 32 mm tires.

In addition to this ample clearance, aerodynamic performance and integration are essential expectations from demanding cyclists today. Enve’s Real-World Fast aerodynamic philosophy and technologies guided the development of the Melee. Real-World Fast as defined by Enve means that the Melee was designed with a holistic approach to performance. Trade-offs of any performance variable, whether aerodynamics and weight savings, or stiffness and compliance, are balanced to ensure an optimal experience.

In practice, the Melee features all the expected aerodynamic elements to achieve first-rate efficiency – minimal frontal area, Kamm Tail tube shapes, and full front-end integration. Furthermore, Enve designed the Melee’s shapes to complement SES rim profiles. As a result, airflow transitions from the wheels to the frame surfaces in harmony to ensure a calm and stable riding experience in variable wind conditions.

In terms of construction, the Melee is manufactured using unidirectional carbon fibers according to its Material Optimized Design (M.O.D.) process. “Simply put, Material Optimized Design means designing and manufacturing products that best leverage the strengths of carbon fiber. The materials, fiber, weights, and fiber placement used in the laminate are selected and manipulated to achieve specific zonal performance. Carbon is the key ingredient, and we use the best available, but ultimately, it’s the process it undergoes that makes it an Enve product,” said Pantone.

Fit and geometry are another area Enve paid particular attention to with its new bike. The Melee is available in seven frame sizes, with five fork offsets to ensure every rider gets the same handling and responsiveness from their Melee.

When Enve introduced the Custom Road in 2021, it was a first step as a bike manufacturer. This chassis is a canvas on which you can assemble the bike of your dreams. The Melee continues this quest for excellence with greater accessibility. Naturally, the Melee is available as a frameset kit which includes the frame, fork, headset, handlebars, stem, and seatpost. The handlebars, stem, fork, and seatpost are exclusive to the Melee and selected to ensure the best possible ergonomics. It is also possible to acquire a complete Melee with all Enve-branded components; only the drivetrain will be from another brand. 

To facilitate the process of finding the ideal size, Enve created the ENVE Best-Fit Calculator. A road bike should be an extension of your body, and the brand wanted people to get that feeling from the very first pedal stroke. The calculator aims to simplify the selection process for both the cyclist and the dealer. This tool works simply by matching replacement bike data with the Melee’s dimensions. This leads to precise recommendations on frame size, saddle setback, and stem length. 

For additional customization, a Melee owner can then select the Enve SES or Enve Foundation wheelset of their choice. For maximum weight savings, a customer can choose Enve’s SES 2.3. For more versatility, a pair of SES 3.4, and a cyclist looking for aerodynamic performance can choose the SES 4.5 or SES 6.7.

The Melee is available in a single color: Damascus Gray. Enve offers customization options  through sticker kits designed to cover the original logos.

The Melee is available now in France in all sizes and in September for sizes 47 and 60 cm. The Enve Melee chassis (frame, fork, headset, stem, handlebars, seatpost) costs €5499, the complete Melee starts at €9599 with Sram Rival AXS, and goes up to €14099 with Sram Red AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.

Detailed weights weighed on a stock frame at Mohawk’s

Frame 56: 850 g bare
Frame 56: 940 g with rear thru-axle and fittings
Seatpost clamp system: 28 g
Fork: 430 g with front thru-axle
Expander: 24 g
Headset: 84 g
Seatpost: 180 g
Stem: 184 g
Handlebars: 250 g

Complete weight with Enve SES 2.3 wheels and Sram Red AXS groupset: 6.650 kg
Complete weight with Enve SES 3.4 wheels and Sram Red AXS groupset: 6.940 kg
Complete weight with Enve SES 4.5 wheels and Sram Red AXS groupset: 7 kg
Complete weight with Enve SES 6.7 wheels and Sram Red AXS groupset: 7.1 kg

About ENVE 

Located in Ogden, Utah, ENVE Composites is a manufacturer of handmade carbon fiber bicycle frames, rims, and components. Partnering with the leading frame builders of our time and the world’s best athletes, Enve combines the best composite technologies with the help of athletes worldwide to offer its customers the ultimate in performance, durability, and quality. Enve designs and manufactures 100% of its rims and Custom Road frames in its factory in Ogden, Utah, USA.

Contact: mohawkscycles.fr

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