Dissimilar-depth rim engineering defines the SES philosophy, and on the rear wheel it means running deeper than the front. The ENVE G SES 4.5 Pro rear wheel carries a 55mm carbon rim depth compared to its 49mm front counterpart, capitalizing on the aerodynamic shelter created by the rider and frame to recapture airflow passing from the front of the bike to the back. With a 30mm internal rim width purpose-built for gravel tires between 44 and 52mm, the rim shapes airflow around higher-volume rubber at the speeds where gravel racers actually spend their time. The Pro designation applies the same weight-reduction strategy ENVE developed for its World Tour road wheels: a refined carbon laminate, the Innerdrive Pro hubset, and ceramic bearings working together to reduce both mass and friction.

Wide Hookless Bead technology addresses the pinch-flat vulnerability that plagues deep-section gravel wheels when pressures drop on rough terrain, distributing impact forces across a broader surface area at the bead seat. That 30mm internal width means the tire casing sits at the volume it was designed for, maintaining the rolling-resistance characteristics and cornering profile the tire manufacturer intended. Tubeless setup uses 34mm tape matched to the internal rim width, and the 72mm valve length accounts for the 55mm depth with clearance for pump head engagement.

The Innerdrive Pro rear hub weighs 194 grams and carries the heaviest loading demands in the wheelset. Ceramic bearings with hardened stainless-steel races handle those forces while non-contact seals on the interior-facing bearing reduce drag. A 40-tooth ratchet paired with a light-action spring delivers positive engagement without the parasitic drag of higher-tension springs. The rear wheel ships with your choice of Shimano HG or SRAM XDR freehub body, and the tool-free freehub swap means switching drivetrains down the road requires no wheel re-dish.... Read More