ENVE HEX Tire / Tire Review
“The HEX gravel tire combines the elements required for those seeking a performance option that doesn’t sacrifice traction. A novel tread design features hexagonal blocks that allow a three-way flex pattern to add suppleness to the casing, allowing the tire to conform to varied surface conditions for consistent handling.” – ENVE Composites
ENVE HEX Tire Review Video
Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew reviews the ENVE HEX Gravel Tire, available in 700c x 40mm, 700c x 44mm, 700c x 48mm, and 700c x 52mm.
Written Ride Experience of the ENVE HEX Tire (or see video above)
Cutting straight to the chase here, the ENVE Hex 48mm variant is a very fast tyre across all surfaces, barring those times you roll it onto billiard table smooth pavement. In that situation, you’ll hear the distinctive howling sound of rolling resistance, but even so, they are still pretty quick on pavement all things considered.
Forgetting about those times riding pavement to bridge to mixed surface road sectors, the ENVE Hex’s just lap up virtually anything you can throw at them, and with their decently light casing weight, they don’t feel like a boat anchor when accelerating from a stand still, or a lower speed. It’s difficult to impart the feeling of a speedy gravel tire, but you won’t be disappointed with the Hex’s, and their propensity to play nicely with a sweet high end, light weight wheelset.
Regarding the casing, it measured just shy of 50mm when mounted to the Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels. As for the ride quality, absolutely sublime. I rode these tyres at low pressure, some may think too low, I’m talking about 18psi front, and about 21 psi rear for someone of my body weight. I firmly believe way too many gravel cyclists types over inflate their tyres, and wonder why they need complicated suspension devices to make the ride bearable. No matter what, be sure to check out my handy recommended tyre pressure chart that was supplied by ENVE.
I don’t like the word supple, it’s mostly a marketing BS word, but the comfort derived by these tyres is fabulous. A very plush ride but without the feeling of an underinflated tire. With ENVE’s interesting hexagonal block tread pattern, traction is ample riding in a straight line, cornering, and so on. Like with everything gravel, don’t lean hard into corners, it’s way too easy to lose the front wheel no matter the tyre. The HEX 48 is very confidence inspiring in this regard.
The HEX 48’s hold air quite well, but expect to lose a few psi over the space of a week. I would not recommend the HEX 48 as a mud tyre, there’s better optoins for that, but it did well across surfaces I would typically think riding about a more aggressive tread pattern. Honestly, the HEX 48 falls into the category of high performance all rounder gravel tyre.
During the period of the review, hopefully I’m not jinxing myself for later, no punctures of any kind, and no cuts or physical damage to the tyres. Adding to that, tire wear has been good, the Hex’s aren’t a one hit wonder.
Wrapping up, the Hex’s will cost you about $US 75 a tire, and since this video was launched, there’s a 52mm size available as well. Absolutely love the ENVE Hex 48, the 52 has to be extra sweet if you’ve got the frame clearance.
Learn more at the ENVE Composites Website
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Links of Interest:
- ENVE Composites Website
- ENVE Fray Review
- 2026 Hell of the NorFla Video
- North Florida Freeride Gravel Series
- How to Create Amazing & Fun Gravel Routes!
- Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library
- Gravel Bike Tire / Tyre Pressure Recommendations
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