ENVE SES 4.5 PRO Carbon Road Wheels | Front, Rear & Wheelset

ENVE SES PRO | Carbon road racing wheels | Authorized ENVE dealer

Race-bred aerodynamics. Exceptional climbing weight. One seriously capable wheelset.

The ENVE SES 4.5 PRO carbon road wheelset is made for road racers and performance-minded cyclists who want an aerodynamic wheel without carrying traditional deep-rim weight. Its 49 mm front / 55 mm rear carbon rims, ultralight INNERDRIVE PRO straight-pull hubs, and ENVE PRO ceramic bearings combine for an ENVE-published 1,295 g wheelset (±3%). Developed with input from Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates–XRG, this model is engineered for fast mountainous and hilly road courses—not as a generic one-wheel-for-every-surface solution.

At Brimstone Bicycles, choose the complete matching pair or purchase the front or rear wheel separately. As an authorized ENVE dealer, we can help you verify cassette/freehub, disc rotor, axle and tire compatibility before ordering.

Made for the steepest climbs and the fastest roads

ENVE and its professional racing partners wanted more than a gram-count victory. The task was to retain the aerodynamic personality of the established SES 4.5 while trimming rotating mass and refining the overall race package. The PRO is deliberately tuned around 27–28 mm road tires and smooth, high-speed racing. It is a particularly compelling choice for rolling-to-mountainous courses where acceleration and aero efficiency both matter.

The result has been raced at the highest level, including winning performances ENVE identifies at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the Giro d’Italia and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Racing pedigree helps explain the design brief; it is not a promise of any rider’s individual speed gain.

Where the weight was saved: carbon rim design, explained

The SES 4.5 PRO uses a revised high-modulus, lower-areal-weight carbon laminate and a refined cross-section. ENVE reports approximately 50 g saved per rim against the regular SES 4.5 rim. A slightly shallower profile, slimmer outer shaping and a different bead/channel construction all contribute to the reduction without simply removing the design features needed for tire retention and impact resistance.

• Front versus rear rim shape: different aerodynamic depths, 49 mm nominal front and 55 mm nominal rear.
• Modern tire bed: ENVE maintains 23.5 mm internal width while revising bead-wall and channel geometry.
• Small retention hook: the product lists a 0.5 mm hook, so do not assume compatibility rules based only on generic “hooked” or “hookless” labels.
• Construction choices: lighter carbon layup, thinner sidewalls and smaller-volume visual graphics contribute to a purpose-built race wheel.

INNERDRIVE PRO hubs: lightweight engineering you can feel

The INNERDRIVE PRO straight-pull hubset brings an ultralight hub shell, ENVE PRO ceramic bearings, and a 40-tooth PRO ratchet with a light-action spring to reduce mechanical drag. ENVE also uses a spoke-alignment feature intended to limit spoke twist during wheel building and service. Compared with the brand’s Premium INNERDRIVE hubset, the PRO design saves a published 60 g.

ENVE describes the ceramic bearings as Grade 5 ceramic balls in stainless steel races with seals selected to balance contamination protection and rolling resistance. The bearings are a performance component, but they still require correct care; ENVE’s warranty terms distinguish them from rim and hub-shell coverage.

ENVE aerodynamic testing: the actual data, not just an aero slogan

ENVE’s Real-World Fast approach considers more than a single headline wind-tunnel measurement. Rim depth, stability, weight, tire profile and the yaw angles encountered in real riding all affect the design trade-off. For the SES 4.5 PRO, ENVE publishes wind-tunnel comparisons at 32 km/h and 48 km/h, with weighted-average drag plotted against wheelset mass. The following graphics come from ENVE’s own test program and should be interpreted as manufacturer-reported comparisons under the stated test conditions.

Explore all five ENVE aerodynamic charts (yaw angle and weighted drag)

Additional official ENVE data show drag across tested yaw angles and a weighted-average comparison at both test speeds. Charts are presented without independent validation or a claim that every rider will obtain the same watts.

For the remaining yaw-angle and weighted-drag charts, review ENVE’s full aerodynamic comparison. Real-world performance depends on your bike, tire, position, speed and conditions.

Full ENVE SES 4.5 PRO technical specifications

These are the manufacturer’s published specifications for the model, with separate front and rear details retained for fitment and service research. Wheelset mass is ENVE’s nominal figure with a published ±3% tolerance.

ENVE-published complete wheelset weight: 1,295 g (±3%). Published dimensions and weights are nominal; rim external widths above are taken from ENVE’s detailed cross-section diagram.

Tire compatibility, 28 mm optimization and pressure limits

ENVE designed the SES 4.5 PRO’s aerodynamic profile around 27–28 mm measured road tires. Its stated minimum is 28 mm for general tires, with a 27 mm exception for specified ENVE tires. ENVE specifies a 100 psi / approximately 6.8 bar rim maximum; this is a limit, not a recommended riding pressure. The tire manufacturer’s lower pressure limit, tire/rim approval, rider weight and conditions must also be considered.

Because the bead construction includes a 0.5 mm hook detail, tire fit must be determined using ENVE’s current approved-tire information and tire-maker guidance, not by assuming every clincher or tubeless tire fits. Road tubeless requires the correct tape, valves, tires and sealant as appropriate; exact package contents should be confirmed rather than assumed.

Check before installing: ENVE tire compatibility and its tire-pressure guidance. Ask Brimstone to confirm your intended tire model and size if uncertain.

Choose Front, Rear or a matched Complete Wheelset

HG, XDR or N3W? These are rear hub/freehub interfaces for different cassette systems; they are not interchangeable by name alone. The front wheel has no freehub. If you are switching between Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo drivetrains, verify your exact cassette standard and model before checkout.

Brake and axle fit: the SES 4.5 PRO is a 700c Centerlock disc-brake wheel designed for 12 × 100 mm front and 12 × 142 mm rear thru-axle spacing. It is not a rim-brake wheel, nor is it a Boost MTB wheel. The manufacturer states Centerlock lockrings are included; brake rotors and other accessories are not asserted as included.

SES 4.5 PRO vs SES 4.5 vs SES 6.7 PRO

Different ENVE SES models are designed for different speed, tire and terrain priorities. Use the comparison below to narrow your choice instead of assuming the deepest or lightest wheel is automatically best.

How much lighter is the PRO than the standard SES 4.5? ENVE’s published weights imply a 155 g reduction for the complete wheelset (1,450 g versus 1,295 g), with a narrower road-tire target and a more specialized race orientation.

Made in Ogden, Utah — supported by an authorized ENVE dealer

ENVE states the SES 4.5 PRO is designed, developed and manufactured at its Ogden, Utah composites facility. Buying from Brimstone Bicycles gives you an authorized ENVE retailer and a team that can help with fitment decisions, wheel selection, and manufacturer-support questions.

ENVE warranty summary: under the manufacturer terms effective January 1, 2026, eligible original owners have limited lifetime defect coverage for rims and listed components with qualifying proof of purchase; hub internals and bearings carry separate one-year warranty coverage. ENVE also advertises a separate conditional rim/component crash-replacement program: eligible original owners may qualify for no-charge replacement within the first three years and 30% off MSRP after three years. Labor, shipping and exclusions may apply. Read the warranty terms and crash-replacement information before relying on coverage.

ENVE SES 4.5 PRO questions answered

Can I buy only a front or rear SES 4.5 PRO wheel?

Yes. ENVE offers individual front and rear wheel configurations. Brimstone offers a matching complete wheelset as an additional variant on this same product page. Each wheelset selection contains one front wheel and one rear wheel with your chosen rear freehub body.

What does an ENVE SES 4.5 PRO wheelset weigh?

ENVE publishes 1,295 grams for the complete set, with a ±3% tolerance. The listed front wheel is 587 g and rear wheel is 708 g; exact configuration weights can vary.

Does the 4.5 PRO have ceramic bearings?

Yes. ENVE specifies PRO ceramic bearings within the INNERDRIVE PRO straight-pull hubs, together with a 40-tooth PRO ratchet.

What is the difference between SES 4.5 and SES 4.5 PRO?

The PRO is aimed more squarely at smooth-road racing, 27–28 mm tire optimization and low weight. ENVE lists 1,295 g for the PRO versus 1,450 g for the standard SES 4.5, a 155 g difference.

Can I use a 25 mm tire?

The published minimum is 28 mm for general tires, with a specific 27 mm ENVE-tire exception. A 25 mm tire is below that published minimum and should not be used without new manufacturer guidance.

Are the rims hooked or hookless?

The manufacturer describes a revised Wide Hookless Bead-derived construction with a small 0.5 mm hook detail. Tire approval must follow ENVE's actual compatibility rules rather than relying on a simplified label.

What is the recommended tire size?

The aerodynamic design target is 27–28 mm; ENVE lists a 28 mm minimum for general tires. Actual tire width depends on the tire and rim combination.

Does the SES 4.5 PRO use Shimano HG, SRAM XDR or Campagnolo N3W?

All three are listed rear-wheel freehub choices, depending on cassette specification. Verify the exact cassette before ordering; no freehub selection is required for the front wheel.

Are these wheels rim-brake compatible?

No. ENVE specifies disc brakes with Centerlock rotor mounting and 12 mm thru-axle road spacing.

Is ENVE’s warranty the same for rims and ceramic bearings?

No. ENVE's current terms distinguish eligible limited-lifetime rim/component defect coverage from one-year coverage for bearings and hub internals. The crash program is a separate benefit with its own conditions.

Can Brimstone help me check tire and freehub compatibility?

Yes. Contact Brimstone Bicycles for advice on your cassette type, wheel fitment, disc rotors and suitable tire installation before ordering.