Our First Enve Fray Custom Build at Ride 24/7: The Ultimate Winter Bike for the UK?
We’re thrilled to showcase our first custom-built Enve Fray at Ride 24/7—a bike meticulously designed to tackle the challenges of winter cycling in the UK. Built for resilience, versatility, and high performance, this custom Enve Fray might just be the ultimate winter ride for riders facing unpredictable weather, slick roads, and varied terrains.
Let’s break down what makes this bike such a standout and why we believe it’s perfectly suited for the unique demands of UK winter cycling.
1. Core Build and Components: The Enve Fray
Our custom Enve Fray starts with a size 50 frame that was decided during our customers initial Bike Fit. Chosen in the eye-catching Salt colourway. The Enve Fray is known for its performance-oriented design and ability to handle both gravel and road conditions, making it ideal for a winter bike that needs to withstand wet, cold, and sometimes muddy rides. The Salt colourway adds a subtle, sophisticated look that pairs beautifully with the UK’s wintery landscapes, while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Before we started the build we used the Ceramic Coating from Gtechniq to help protect the paint and make the cleaning process easier.
Frameset weight (Inc rear axle) = 1060g
2. Precision Shifting with SRAM AXS 12-Speed Groupset
To ensure precision and durability, we equipped this build with a SRAM AXS 12-speed groupset. It’s a thoughtful mix that combines the SRAM Force D2 AXS 43/30 chainset with a 10/36 cassette—a perfect balance for maintaining cadence on steep hills and rapid flats alike. We upgraded this setup with SRAM Red eTap AXS shifters and calipers for smoother, faster shifting and enhanced braking control, essential for wet and unpredictable winter roads.
3. Zipp 353 NSW Wheels: Lightweight and Responsive
For this build, we selected the Zipp 353 NSW wheels. Known for their lightweight design, these wheels provide exceptional aerodynamics and agility, essential for winter rides where maneuverability and stability are key. Weighing in at only 1255g a pair this makes them one of the lightest set of carbon disc wheels available. Zipp’s innovative sawtooth rim profile minimizes crosswind resistance, helping riders maintain control even on gusty days. These wheels are also tubeless-compatible, an option many riders prefer in winter to reduce the risk of flats.
4. Pirelli Cinturato TLR Tyres with Reflective Sidewalls
Winter cycling in the UK often means low-light conditions, so safety is a priority. Our build features Pirelli Cinturato TLR 700x35 tires with reflective sidewalls, providing an extra level of visibility in low-light conditions while delivering superb grip and durability on wet or slippery roads. The 35mm width strikes a perfect balance between rolling resistance and traction - set up Tubeless using the Vittoria Sealant to help reduce unnecessary punctures.
The 35mm tyres measure as 38mm on these Zipps that have an Internal Rim Width of 25mm and External Rim width of 30mm.
5. Enve AR Bars and Aero Road Stem: Control and Comfort
For handlebars and stem, we opted for Enve AR (All-Road) bars paired with an Enve Aero Road Stem. These components provide a comfortable, aerodynamic riding position, helping riders stay in control while minimizing drag. The slight flare of the AR bars also offers enhanced control over rougher surfaces, a useful feature for winter gravel or mixed-terrain riding.
6. Kogel Ceramic Bottom Bracket: Optimized Efficiency
To reduce friction and boost efficiency, we added a Kogel Ceramic bottom bracket to this build. Ceramic bearings are known for their smoothness and longevity, providing a noticeable advantage in colder temperatures, where traditional bearings can stiffen up. For riders looking to maximize efficiency, particularly on longer winter rides, this upgrade makes a real difference.
7. Finishing Touches: Enve Bar Tape, Bontrager Saddle, and PDW Mudguards
A bike that’s built for winter should feel just as comfortable as it is durable. This Enve Fray build features Enve’s bar tape, offering grip and comfort even on cold, rainy days. The Bontrager saddle provides ergonomic support for extended rides, while the Portland Design Works Full Metal Mudguards keep the rider and bike cleaner in wet conditions. These mudguards are incredibly durable and offer full coverage, reducing the mess and spray that often come with winter rides.
8. Lightweight Performance: 8.5 kg Total Weight
Considering the robust design and all the winter-ready upgrades, this Enve Fray build weighs in at an impressive 8.5 kg. For a bike equipped to handle the demands of winter, this lightweight setup is a huge advantage, allowing riders to tackle climbs and longer distances with ease with its 43/30 Chain rings and 10/36 Cassette. It’s a true testament to the high-quality components and design philosophy behind the Enve Fray.
Why the Enve Fray Might Just Be the Ultimate Winter Bike for the UK
Whether you’re braving long weekend rides, commuting through winter weather, or planning multi-surface excursions, this Enve Fray custom build at Ride 24/7 has you covered.
Ready to see it for yourself? Visit us at Ride 24/7 in Cirencester to take a closer look at this custom Enve Fray build and experience firsthand why it might just be the ultimate winter bike for the UK.
This particular build is already sold but we have the other colours on display.
