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If you think ENVE wheels are expensive then take a look at the carbon offerings from DT Swiss - crazy money!!
Roughly the same price (RRPs) for a set of 1200 XMC DT's wheels as a pair of Enve rims...
I have some Enve AMs on my Stereo 29er....Im shit - which they don't alter in the slightest, but they look rather smart and im in the very fortunate position of having a found a set on STW at a very reasonable (by Enve standards obviously) price. Would I buy a set at RRP?? No, there is no way to justify 2.5k on a set of wheels, no matter what you tell yourself.
OP
Nope
If you can afford them and the crash replacements then buy them, who gives a toss what other people think.
I tend to buy stuff that matches my riding ability, so SLX chainsets as opposed to carbon XO...likewise Deore, SLX or maybe XT brakes as opposed to XTR, Saint etc....it just feels 'right' for the kind of rider I am and the riding I do.
I would want the ground to open up if I turned up at BPW on my new boutique carbon Evil resplendent with ENVE wheels, carbon XX everything running gear...and then proceeded to get passed by everyman and his dog, no matter how good the kit may make me feel when I'm sat (mug of tea in hand) staring at it in my garage it would ultimately mean sod all if it didn't make me a better rider....and we know simply putting an average rider on pro level kit does not give them pro level performance....training, technique...dare I say it skills courses and coaching make you a better rider not a £1000 set of wheels....but people like to justify their ludicrous purchases so inevitably we are subjected to the nonsensical 'im 5% faster on Strava since fitting my new whatever'....it smacks of all the gear no idea.
When I'm finishing in the top 3rd of races I enter then I'll start taking a long hard look at my kit and seeing if I really do need to start spending serious money looking for those final few seconds that separates the winners from everybody else in the top-30....but I'm not, I'm very much midpack so the midpriced, mass produced gear I buy suits me fine.
My attitude may be old fashioned but I think your kit should reflect your ability, if you're a newby and don't want all eyes in you then ride basic but decent stuff, if you're a good rider and getting some reasonable race results buy a decent bike and adorn it with suitable upgrades...if you're a highly skilled rider and winning local races, placing well in regional and national stuff and maybe carrying some sponsorship then ride flashy bikes, £1000 aftermarket wheelsets etc....I just find consumerism and ostentatious wealth a very American thing and ultimately distasteful.
xiphon - MemberOn the topic of high running costs (like marketing), isn't Redbull one of those companies? Huge turnover, but their running costs are insane too.
Red Bull say they define themselves as a media and events company that just happens to be paid for by selling energy drinks. Could just be part of their image management to be fair but it seems pretty plausible, when your business is selling 5.6 billion tins of dirty water for a pound why not put a man into space with a balloon? Some companies are motivated by pure profit, they don't really seem to be, the marketing is just too OTT and too expensive.
I appreciate what you say, deviant, but I have two similar hardtails. One is a decent but pretty basic one with alloy frame and wheels; the other is a carbon framed, carbon wheels job which has just had XT 11 speed fitted. The fancy one is probably 4 or 5 x the price of the alloy though the alloy one is definitely enough bike for my standard of riding. I use both on rides from home and the time taken is very similar, but the carbon feels light and quick, whereas the alloy one feels heavy and sluggish. The times say there's no real difference in performance but there's a big difference in enjoyment.
try before you buy, deposit refundable off wheel sets, unlike that there mojo nicolai thing
http://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/enve-partners-with-bikepark-wales/
Mojo Nicolai is payment for the day is refundable off the cost of the bike.
Wheels require no man hours or anything else. The payment for Mojo is for 2 peple, swopping parts, and a whole day of tweaking and review of rider preferences/setup. Hardly a comparison.
I work hard overseas & could afford them but wouldn't go for them, I did however after reading some good reviews & liking the warranty go for Roval fattie SL carbon wheels at 1200 squids & they really made a difference in rolling resistance the bike carries more speed be it through light weight or just the hubs I'm not sure & the other benefit is 30mm width spreading the tyre out & more grip, bottom line for me, it was worth it, nothing against Enve just not my choice.
I'd never buy a product branded as 'enve', the logo is as large and vulgar as the name 😉
I wouldn't also wouldn't define the level if kit I buy by my perceived skill level either.