ENVE spent years making the parts that went on other people's bikes before building their own. The Melee is the result on the road side: a dedicated race platform aimed at efficiency, precise handling and the demands of modern racing.

The frame and fork are ENVE M.O.D carbon, with continuous fibres run through the structure, a tapered laminate and material removed where it earns nothing. A 56cm frame comes in at 850g painted without hardware. Tube shapes were developed in CFD and the wind tunnel specifically to complement ENVE's own SES rim profiles, and the Integrated Front-End routes wires and hoses through bar, stem and headset to keep them out of the wind. Geometry and handling are tuned around a 27 to 32mm tyre, with clearance to 35mm when the road calls for more.

Key features

• ENVE M.O.D carbon frame and fork, 850g in a 56
• Seven frame sizes with five fork rakes, matched to size
• Integrated Front-End with fully internal routing
• Threaded T47 inboard-bearing bottom bracket
• Maximum tyre clearance 35mm, optimal 27 to 32mm
• ENVE aero seatpost with twin-bolt saddle rail clamp

The Melee is sold as a chassis: frame, fork, headset, stem, handlebar and seatpost. Bar width, stem length and seatpost setback are chosen individually, which is where a proper fit session earns its keep. Two things to know: SRAM and Campagnolo mechanical 2x are not compatible, since the Melee needs continuous housing to the front derailleur, and the fork takes a 160mm rotor only.