In 2016, ENVE launched the SES 4.5 AR, a wheelset that at the time was a unique outlier in the wheel aftermarket with features like tubeless only construction and aerodynamic optimization around high volume 28-32mm tires. Today, ENVE is pleased to announce the expansion of the SES AR lineup to include the all new SES 3.4 AR.
The SES 3.4 AR, like all SES rims features asymmetric rim geometries between the front and rear rims which maximize aerodynamic performance for the airflow unique to the front and back of the bicycle. In this case, the front rim measures in at a depth of 39mm with an external width of 31.2mm while the rear comes in at 43mm deep and 30.5mm wide. The internal rim width of both the front and rear rims comes in at 25mm. The extreme width of the SES AR family when compared to a modern but traditional aero road wheel is the result of an aerodynamic development project to optimize drag reduction and stability for high-volume performance oriented tubeless road tires.
“A little over three years ago, we stood on the side of the A renberg Forrest sector of Paris-Roubaix as the new official wheel sponsor of what is now Team Dimension Data, watching our wheelsets be put through the paces in this environment for the first time.During this test session, our conversations turned to aerodynamics and the question of whether we could recover the aero losses of high volume tires with a radical rim shape was raised,” says VP of Product, Jake Pantone.
“Ultimately, the answer was yes, and the SES 4.5 AR was born. It has taken a few years for frame manufacturers to produce the bikes with tire clearances required to accommodate these wheels, but the bikes are here now, and the SES 4.5 AR has become our most popular wheelset in North America.”
What ENVE was referring to as AR or All-Road in 2016, has evolved into what can now simply be seen as the definition of the modern road bike, where even the world’s most aerodynamic race bikes can accommodate tires up to measured widths of 32mm without any threat of interference with the frame’s surfaces.
“The SES 3.4 AR comes in response to the requests from our customers who love the SES AR platform but desired a wheelset that was shallower, delivered greater versatility, and maximized weight savings. In other words, the people wanted an SES 3.4, but with the features and benefits inherent to the SES AR platform. Moreover, the SES 3.4 AR, despite its greater width and Wide Hookless Bead design, comes in at the same weight as the standard SES 3.4 Disc,” commented VP of Commercial,” Brandt Furgerson.
ENVE is touting the new SES 3.4 AR as the most versatile road wheel in their lineup given its lightweight full carbon construction, and ability to achieve top shelf aerodynamic performance with 28mm tires.However, a unique feature that certainly gives a nod to the new wheel’s versatility is the inclusion of a technology ENVE introduced initially on their M Series mountain line, and later included on the new G Series gravel wheels called Wide Hookless Bead Technology.
The purpose of the patent pending Wide Hookless Bead is to aid in the prevention of pinch flatting your tubeless road tires. While the likelihoodof pinch flatting on a typical road ride is rare, ENVE expects their customers will look to the SES 3.4 AR for a one wheel quiver to ride on the road and at mixed surface events like the Belgian Waffle Ride which features roughly 40 miles of dirt road and trail where hard pinch flat inducing impacts are likely.
The SES 3.4 AR like the SES 4.5 AR features a tubeless only hookless bead construction. As such, the SES3.4 AR can only be paired with a compatible tubeless ready road tire. According to ENVE, the SES AR wheelsets can still be run using inner tubes as long as the tire is designated as “tubeless ready (TLR).” ENVE is offering the SES 3.4 AR as a rim set or complete wheelsets built with either an ENVE Disc or Chris King R4 hub set.
The SES 3.4 AR starts at a complete wheelset price of $2550. Please contact your local ENVE Retail or Distribution Partner for local pricing. The SES 3.4 AR is in stock today at select ENVE Retail Partners and now shipping worldwide.
According to ENVE the new SES 3.4 AR promises to deliver:
• Aero efficiency when using 28mm to 32mm tires
• Improved rolling resistance efficiency
• Wide Hookless Bead Anti-Pinch Flat Technology
• Disc brake specific materials and construction for ride feel, durability, and weight savings
• Light weight for climbing performance
• Road tubeless optimized design for uncompromising reliability
ENVE
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