Back in 2021, the North American brand unveiled its Enve Custom Road Bike project, and at Raw Magazine, we were fortunate enough to be the first to test the initial unit that arrived in Europe. Since then, the platform has evolved significantly. Some time later, Enve introduced the Melee model—a road bike designed to deliver peak performance and capabilities, while also establishing the brand’s market position.

Today, we are pleased to present the evolution of this bike, one any cyclist would love to own, and a project that represented a major challenge for the company. It is an improved version of the Enve Melee with a clear identity: lighter than its predecessor, faster, and—most importantly—achieved without compromising the bike’s performance or capabilities.

Only seemingly alike

While it is true that, at first glance, the Melee v2 might not appear to feature revolutionary changes, once you get up close and examine the details, you gradually discover what this new version keeps semi-hidden.

As we mentioned earlier, improving something that is already close to excellence is a complex and tedious task. This evolution focuses primarily on two pillars of high performance: aerodynamics and weight. The bike continues to sit between an aero bike and an all-rounder, offering high-end capabilities and performance. Minor geometry adjustments have been made to ensure consistent (or nearly identical) handling across the entire size range.

In its quest to build a better bike, Enve has managed to reduce the frame’s surface area by 7.5%; this not only makes it lighter but also improves its aerodynamics. The total frame weight for the UL Black version (featuring exposed carbon and minimal graphics) comes in at just 791g for a size 56. In line with this approach, the brand has also switched from a T47 bottom bracket to the classic, widely known BSA standard, while also reducing tire clearance from 35mm to a maximum of 33mm.

Continuing with the updates to the revamped Melee, there is a new seatpost featuring an improved design that replaces the brand’s signature saddle rail clamping system with a simpler, lighter alternative. The down tube features an innovative water bottle setup: aerodynamic bottle cages positioned at the bottom of the frame’s main triangle. This design accommodates standard bottles while reducing air resistance compared to other solutions on the market.

Focusing on the front end of the Melee v2, we see two significant changes. First, the head tube has been refined to reduce both size and weight, accommodating a new headset with smaller (yet equally efficient) bearings. Second, the cockpit now features the new SES Aero Road Bar. This integrated handlebar and stem combo introduces several improvements, including a new Aergonomics drop design for a more aerodynamic profile, comfort-enhancing pads, and a lightweight handlebar tape that is just 1.2mm thick.

Finally, the innovative Enve SES 4.5 PRO wheels deserve special mention, as they are truly exceptional. With carbon rims, ceramic bearings, silver finishes, and a weight of 1,295g, there is little more to say about a wheelset of this caliber. The new Enve Melee is available in two colors: the “Ultralight Black” version, which leaves most of the frame’s carbon exposed, and a white version that adds between 250 and 300g to the bike’s total weight.

First rides

For the bike test, we traveled to a region in France with stunning scenery that also offered the ideal terrain to put the Melee v2 through the kind of test it deserved.

The unit we tested was the black version, size 54 (specifically, 387mm reach and 547mm stack), equipped with SES 4.5 PRO wheels, the new cockpit, and a SRAM Red groupset (48/35t chainrings and 10-33t cassette) with an integrated power meter. We didn’t have a scale on hand during the test, but we can tell you it weighed in under 7kg including pedals, a computer mount, and bottle cages.

From the very first pedal stroke, the bike handled beautifully, yet it responded perfectly whenever we pushed it hard. Thanks to its excellent stiffness, power transfer was immediate, with no sensation of wasted watts.

On flatter, faster sections while riding in a group, it felt like the bike was moving forward on its own. If you moved to the front to pull from the peloton, it was easy to adopt an aerodynamic position and fully exploit the bike’s capabilities. The wheel performance is truly impressive, offering a sensational balance of weight, rim depth, and stiffness.

Its lightness on climbs is tangible, and the stability and confidence it inspires on descents invite you to grab the drops and fly downhill like a rocket. In this regard, we want to highlight the new handlebar drop design; we really liked how they narrowed the section where your hands rest when riding in the drops. This change offers both aerodynamic and ergonomic benefits, hence the concept of “Aergonomics.”

Evolution or revolution?

Rather than a radical revolution, the new Melee represents a bold strategic move by the company. We call it a “bold move” because, with the v2, Enve is heading in a direction that partially contradicts industry trends. Reducing the maximum allowable tire width, rather than increasing it or maintaining the 35mm standard, and switching the bottom bracket from T47 to BSA are just a few examples of the company’s strategy.

At the bike’s launch, we saw a slogan: “Every gram saved. Every watt saved. The Melee v2 is designed for cyclists who demand maximum performance and speed at minimum weight.” While this is certainly true, we are also convinced that it is an excellent bike for any type of rider. It is comfortable and easy to handle. It is fast, stiff, and responsive, yet suitable for a wide range of cyclists.

We wouldn’t want to finish without mentioning two interesting points. First, the new handlebar and bottle cage system, as well as the wheels, are compatible with the first-generation Melee. Second, with this new version, Enve has upgraded its warranty from five years to a Limited Lifetime Warranty; this is yet another reason to seriously consider this bike for a potential purchase.