ENVE’s new Innerdrive hubs are their first-ever 100% in-house designed hubs, they usually introduce attention-grabbing tech that makes them extra sturdy than prior variations.
The apparent change is a transfer to straight pull spokes, which allowed them to utterly redesign the hub shell and drop 60g from the prior J-bend mannequin. Claimed weight is simply 326g for the pair, however the brand new design permits for stiffer wheel builds with spacing between every spoke in order that they don’t creak or rub on one another.
It additionally makes servicing simpler. Constant spoke lengths on each side of the hub imply you solely want one measurement spoke per wheel.
An anti-twist design make wheel constructing and truing simpler, too, they usually say this improves trip high quality as nicely.
They use stainless-steel bearings and races with non-contact seals on the inside bearings to cut back friction, however full contact seals on the outer bearings for improved longevity.
What’s ENVE Innerdrive?
The true magic occurs inside, although. They follow a ratchet ring design, which they like higher than pawls, however transfer it just a few millimeters additional inboard, deeper contained in the hub shell.
Then they outsized the ratchets to 42mm in diameter and positioned them immediately over the inner bearings. They are saying this reduces stress on the axle and bearings by centralizing the torque and eliminating twisting hundreds (and thus put on & tear) on these bearings.
The ratchet rings are comprised of a proprietary hardened metal. Select from 4 tooth counts relying in your most well-liked noise stage and desires:
- 40-tooth (9º engagement)
- 60-tooth (6º engagement)
- 80-tooth (4.5º engagement)
- 100-tooth (3.6º engagement)
All street, gravel, SES, and G Collection wheels will come inventory with 60-tooth ratchets.
Which begs the query, why supply a 40-tooth downgrade? In all probability as a result of they are going to license the system to others, so it’s good to have a primary, extra inexpensive choice to extend potential adoption of this expertise.
Excellent Preload retains it easy
The hubs additionally use their Excellent Preload system, which eliminates bearing preload adjusters through the use of a tuned wave washer to offer simply sufficient facet load on the bearings with out stressing them…or leaving it open to person error when adjusting (or ignoring) the hubs.
The brand new Innerdrive hubs have been examined underneath UAE Workforce Emirates all through the 2023 season. They’re out there now on SES and G Collection wheels, and as a standalone hubset for $750. They maintain 24 spokes per wheel and have HG, XDR, MS, and N3W freehub physique choices with 12×100/12×142 thru-axles solely.
