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TECH NEWS

Enve launches Gravel Road Disc fork with integrated carbon mudguard

Enve’s new gravel fork with integrated carbon fender is now available

Enve’s new Gravel Road Fork (GRD), which we first spotted last year, is now available. It's aimed at the growing number of gravel and adventure bikes, and features an integrated carbon mudguard, 12mm thru-axle and a flat mount for the disc brake caliper.

- Buyer’s guide to gravel and adventure bikes

enve grd fork 14.jpg

The fork is made from carbon fibre and weighs 750g and is provided with a carbon mudguard (150g) that clips into the fork at the fork tips and via two small recesses on the inside of the fork blades. The fork has space for a 35mm tyre with mudguard and 38mm without.

enve grd fork 16.jpg

“Creating a road fork with an integrated carbon fender system that offered tool-free installation and removal is something we’ve wanted to do for years,” said Marketing Director Jake Pantone. “We wanted a fender that was so simple to install that you wouldn’t avoid riding in nasty conditions just because the fender was overly challenging to quickly install. 

enve grd fork 11.jpg

“Additionally, once the fender is on the bike, we wanted fender removal to be equally simple.  The rapidly emerging adventure, all-road, gravel road market provided the perfect platform for a fork with this functionality.”

Enve produces road and cyclocross forks (which we've reviewed) but this new GRD fork slots in between the two. It's purpose-built for the growing number of gravel bikes, and splits the difference in terms of length and clearance between a road and ‘cross fork. It has a 382mm axle to crown length and 47mm rake.

enve grd fork 1.jpg

The fork is completely made from carbon fibre and features a 12mm thru-axle. Most disc-equipped road bikes released so far have used quick releases while the few thru-axle models have opted for a 15mm thru-axle, derived from mountain bikes. The 12mm axle is reputed to be the future standard for disc-equipped road bikes, as it's a bit lighter than 15mm and is plenty stiff enough for road use.

A change for production is a switch to a flat mount disc caliper fixing. This method of attaching the caliper to the frame/fork is rapidly becoming a standard and offers a much cleaner appearance as no adapters are needed. 

enve grd fork 9.jpg

The carbon fibre mudguard can be easily fixed to the fork with no tools required. It can be removed with the front wheel still in place. There’s a clip for the front brake hose, which is routed externally. 

The fork comes with a 400mm tapered steerer tube and weighs a claimed 450g. The fender adds 150g. The fork is compatible with 140 and 160mm disc rotors. It’ll cost $750 - we’re waiting for a UK price. 

http://enve.com/

 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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5 comments

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Rhode_Long | 8 years ago
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I really love the look and am definitiely a "fender fan" for practical cycling. I sense some issues here though. Most mudguards have a quick release to allow the guard to disconnect in the event of an object that would otherwise jam the wheel.

What would happen here? Best case for safety I sense is that the guard stay would break but then you would need to replace the entire fork.

 

Avatar
srchar replied to Rhode_Long | 8 years ago
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Rhode_Long wrote:

What would happen here? Best case for safety I sense is that the guard stay would break but then you would need to replace the entire fork.

Article wrote:

clips into the fork at the fork tips and via two small recesses on the inside of the fork blades

Avatar
amazon22 | 8 years ago
0 likes

But are they going to do a matching rear guard?

Avatar
David Arthur @d... replied to amazon22 | 8 years ago
1 like

amazon22 wrote:

But are they going to do a matching rear guard?

 

When I spoke to Enve last year, they pretty much let on that they are working on one, but that it would be a thru-axle compatible design, just like the front one is. The way the mudguard attaches to the fork tips is very smart and simple, with no bolts or tools required. Enve isn't exactly known for rushing new products to market so don't hold your breath

Avatar
kamoshika | 8 years ago
3 likes

That makes an awful lot more sense than that monstrosity with integrated mudguards that was seen a couple of weeks ago. Looks pretty good too.

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