In the first step towards becoming a bicycle brand, Enve launched the Custom Road in 2021, a customisable road bike that is manufactured in Odgen, Utah. The designs and prototypes of the Melee were also created there. This road bike will be available in seven standard frame sizes from 47 to 60 centimetres. Production will not take place in Odgen, but at the Enve factory overseas.
Melee - versatility of the modern road bike
Enve describes the Melee as a modern road bike that knows no limits and was built to meet the performance requirements of road cycling. It has a monocoque construction which, according to the manufacturer, has allowed the tube shapes to be refined, weight to be reduced and overall efficiency to be increased.
Mixed surfaces are almost always present in road races, but there is hardly a bike that is equally suitable for all surfaces. Enve wants to cover this diversity with its new racing bike. The frame can accommodate tyres up to 35 millimetres wide. The geometry and riding characteristics have been optimised for tyres from 27 to 32 millimetres wide.
Enves Real-World Fast Aero philosophy
The manufacturer emphasises that it took a holistic approach to the performance variables when developing the road bike. In the interests of a fast, efficient and confidence-inspiring ride, compromises between individual performance variables such as aerodynamics, weight saving or stiffness and compliance are balanced out.
Minimised frontal area, comb-curved tube shapes and complete integration on the cockpit of the Melee are named as aerodynamic features and ensure the efficiency of the race bike. Holistic also means that Enve has optimised the bike, or more precisely the airflow around the bike, for riding with the company's own wheels and rims. This ensures a smooth and stable ride in different wind conditions.
The frame of the Melee is constructed from various forms of unidirectional carbon fibres. An M.O.D. (Material Optimised Design) process is used for this. This means that the strengths of the carbon fibres are exploited by selecting and adapting the materials, fibre weights and fibre angles used in the laminate in such a way that certain properties are achieved in the component for specific zones.
Enve Melee - the frameset
Anyone who has already dealt with the Custom Road will be familiar with the Enve chassis - a kind of canvas for customising the bike. The Melee frameset consists of a frame, fork, headset, handlebars, stem and seatpost. The handlebars, stem, fork and seatpost are selected according to your own anatomy and riding habits in order to create a customised bike.
What size do I need?
The Melee is available in seven frame sizes with five different fork adjustment ranges. This ensures that riders of all sizes get the same responsive riding behaviour.
To support the fitting process, Enve has developed the "Best-Fit Calculator". The aim behind this is to simplify the fitting process for bike shops and customers alike. This size calculator combines information on the fit stack, fit reach and saddle position with the frame geometry, stem length, stem height, spacer stack and saddle offset. The output of the calculator provides several options for the frame and component configuration, which can then be used to determine the most suitable option.
With a wheelset, the Melee can be optimised for different purposes. Enve suggests the following:
- Maximum weight saving: Enve SES 2.3
- Versatility: SES 3.4
- Top aero performance: SES 4.5 or SES 6.7
Finally, the right accessories and drive components must be selected. The following road bike groupsets are compatible:
- Mechanical groupset (only compatible with Shimano)
- Electronic groups with and without cable
- Compatible with single and double setups
What colours are available?
The colour of the Melee is Damascus. The colour of the racer can be customised with individual decals.
Where can I buy the Enve Melee?
The Melee is available worldwide in selected sizes and markets. The chassis set - frame, fork, headset, handlebars, stem and seatpost - costs 5500 euros.
More information about the Melee is available directly from Enve.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
