Enve SES 4.5 x Chris King R45D (Stainless)

The Ultimate Apex.

The ENVE SES 4.5 was designed to be the "one-wheelset quiver" for the modern road rider. With a staggered rim depth (50mm front and 56mm rear), it provides a massive aerodynamic advantage without the twitchy handling of deeper wheels in crosswinds. By lacing these rims to Chris King R45D hubs with stainless steel bearings, you are investing in a wheelset that is as durable as it is fast, designed to be serviced and ridden for decades.

Why this Custom Build is the Industry Benchmark:

• Real-World Fast (SES): ENVE’s Smart Enve System (SES) optimizes the rim shapes specifically for the airflow differences between the front and rear of the bike. The result is a wheelset that is faster in the wind tunnel and more stable on gusty, real-world roads.

• Chris King R45D Hubs: Hand-machined in Portland, Oregon, these hubs are world-renowned for their tight tolerances and the iconic "Angry Bee" sound of the RingDrive™ engagement system. With 45 points of simultaneous engagement, your power transfer is instantaneous.

• Stainless Steel Bearings: While ceramic gets the headlines, Chris King’s in-house manufactured stainless steel bearings are the choice for riders who want peak performance and legendary longevity. They actually get faster and smoother as they wear in, and with proper maintenance, they will outlast any other hub on the market.

• Wide Hookless Bead: The 25mm internal width is optimized for 28mm to 32mm tubeless tires. This creates a high-volume air chamber that drastically lowers rolling resistance and allows you to run lower pressures for a "magic carpet" ride over rough asphalt and chip-seal.

• Puncture Protection: ENVE’s wide bead acts as a buffer between the rim and the tire, significantly reducing the chance of "pinch flats" or "snake bites" when you hit a pothole or a sharp edge.

• Lifetime Incident Protection: ENVE stands behind their carbon with a robust lifetime warranty and incident protection, giving you the confidence to push your limits on every descent.

Technical Specifications:

• Rim Depth: 50mm (Front) / 56mm (Rear)

• Internal Width: 25mm

• Hubs: Chris King R45D Centerlock Disc

• Bearings: Chris King Precision Stainless Steel

• Engagement: 45-Point RingDrive™

• Tire Compatibility: Tubeless Only (27mm minimum, 28-30mm optimized)

• Build: Hand-laced with Sapim CX-Ray spokes

The Alegro Perspective: This is the "Dream Build." In our shop, we see a lot of high-end wheels, but there is something special about the pairing of ENVE and Chris King. It’s the perfect balance of Utah-born aero innovation and Portland-born mechanical perfection. It’s a wheelset that transforms the way your bike feels. It’s stiffer in the sprints, quieter on the road, and has a mechanical soul that mass-produced wheels just can’t replicate.

Aerodynamic Mastery. Legendary Engagement. Own the Road with ENVE x Chris King.