ENVE SES 4.5 Wheelsets For Sale
Shop new & used ENVE SES 4.5 wheels at TPC - The Pro's Closet. Upgrade your road bike with carbon wheels from ENVE. Read our Quick-Take Review of the ENVE SES 4.5 wheels. Talk to an expert Ride Guide today to find the right wheelset for you.
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2023 ENVE SES 4.5 Wheelset Review - A TPC Quick-Take
The ENVE SES 4.5 wheelset sits at the apex of carbon road wheels, delivering unrivaled performance across all terrains - but it certainly comes at a price. Born from the SES (Smart ENVE System) line, the 4.5 have been painstakingly designed to excel whether you're climbing, descending, sprinting, or powering on the flats.
Design and Specifications
ENVE pulled out all the stops with the SES 4.5 design. The front and rear rims differ in both depth and profile. The front rim measures 49mm deep with a more stable U-shaped profile, while the rear goes to 55mm with a more aerodynamic V-shape. This "mullet" setup aims to balance speed, handling, and stability.
The hookless rims feature a massive 25mm internal width, optimized for 27-29mm tires. This wide stance enables lower pressures for a smoother ride and reduced rolling resistance, without sacrificing aerodynamics. The external width is an equally impressive 32mm.
ENVE's own alloy hubs feature oversized ratchets and improved sealing around the NTN steel bearings. The hubs are laced to the rims with 24 Sapim CX-Ray spokes front and rear. My test set, including tubeless valves and tape, weighed in at 1,538g.
On the Road
Simply put, the ENVE SES 4.5s are the fastest all-around wheels I've ever ridden. They accelerate with urgency, hold speed like a TT wheel, and climb with the prowess of a wheelset weighing hundreds of grams less. The ride is incredibly smooth and efficient.
The wide rims paired with 28mm Contis at 70psi made even rough pavement feel buttery. And despite their depth, the 4.5s handled blustery winds with confidence-inspiring stability. Mavic's ID360 hubs engaged rapidly and provided a satisfying (but not obnoxious) freewheel noise.
Whether we were crushing climbs, railing descents, or attacking on the flats, the SES 4.5s performed with distinction. It's no wonder they're the wheel of choice for Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates. These wheels seem to make everything just a bit easier and faster.
Pros
- Unrivaled all-around speed and performance
- Exceptionally stable and confidence-inspiring
- Wide rim optimized for modern tire sizes
- Smooth and efficient ride quality
- Top-tier build quality
Cons
- Stratospheric price tag
- Hookless design limits tire options
- Still not the lightest climbing wheels
The Bottom Line
The ENVE SES 4.5 is arguably the ultimate do-everything carbon road wheelset. It's aero, stable, smooth, and even climbs well. The wide rims and progressive design cater perfectly to today's larger tubeless tires. Build quality is exemplary.
Of course, this performance comes at an exorbitant cost, especially when new. These are unapologetically expensive wheels targeted at a no-compromise audience. Value-seekers should look elsewhere.
But if you have the budget and crave the finest in all-around road performance, the ENVE SES 4.5 is tough to top. It's the wheelset we’d choose for everything from all-day epics to technical crits. Once you experience how they transform your ride, it's hard to go back to anything else.
