ENVE is pleased to introduce the Fray, a highly versatile performance road bike aimed at expanding the terrain and capabilities of those who seek aspirational rides. Ample tire clearance, World Tour inspired construction, and ENVE’s aerodynamics distinguish the Fray as the benchmark for modern all-road performance.
With the introduction of the Fray, ENVE rounds out their drop-bar road bicycle lineup, which includes
the Ogden, Utah made fully customizable Custom Road, the road race specific Melee, and the gravel
race/offroad optimized MOG. With these platforms, ENVE continues their evolution from aftermarket
wheel and component specialists to a full-service bicycle brand.
“At its core, the Fray is a performance road bike, with incredible versatility that lends itself to forays
onto mixed surfaces. In the absence of the Fray, there were those looking for an “all-road” solution from
ENVE amongst our Melee and MOG offering. ENVE products are purpose-built, and the Fray embodies
this ethos. As we’ve presented the Fray to our sales channels, the question of ‘who is the Fray for?’
often comes up. I answer by stating that at ENVE, the Fray is the bike we take home with us on the
weekends and when we travel to ride. Outside of pure gravel events or road races, the Fray is always the
‘right’ bike,” stated Jake Pantone, VP of Product and Brand.
Fitting into the all-road category, the Fray blends elements of the Melee’s performance race features
such as aerodynamics, lightweight, and power transfer efficiency, along with some of the MOG’s design
details to create one of the most capable bikes on the road. Through geometry optimization around 31
to 35 mm tires, max clearance up to 40 mm, progressive endurance geometry, and the ENVE Cargo Bay
for in-frame downtube storage, the Fray brings road race performance to those seeking a wider range of
surfaces and terrain. In terms of aerodynamics, the Fray features and all-new fork design and tube
shapes borrowed from ENVE’s aerodynamically optimized Melee. As is standard for all ENVE frame
models, the Fray’s hoses and wires are hidden via ENVE’s IN-Route System.
The Fray is made from a mixture of medium, high, and super-high modulus uni-directional carbon fibers
following ENVE’s Material Optimized Design (M.O.D.) process. “Material Optimized Design means
designing and manufacturing products that play to the strengths of carbon fiber. The materials, fiber
weights, and fiber angles used in the laminate are selected and manipulated to achieve zone specific
performance within the part. “Carbon is the key ingredient, and we use the best we can get our hands
on, but ultimately the process it is subjected to is what makes it an ENVE product,” stated Pantone.
Fit and geometry are another area that ENVE has paid special attention to with their bicycles. As done
with their other models, consistent handling is assured across the Fray’s seven frame sizes, from 47 to
60 cm, thanks to four fork rakes that allow the smallest and largest sizes to receive size appropriate trail
numbers.
To aid in the fitment process and ensure the customer has the full range of fit possibilities, ENVE created
the Best-Fit Calculator. “Our goal with every one of our bikes is to help a customer achieve that seamlessfeel from the first pedal stroke. Our calculator aims to simplify the fitment process for the fitter and customer alike. The calculator functions simply by pairing a rider’s fit stack, fit reach, and saddle position numbers with a frame geometry, stem length, stem rise, spacer stack, and saddle offset. The output provides the rider with several frame and component configuration options that the rider, along with their fitter, can analyze to determine the rider’s “best-fit” option,” stated Pantone.
ENVE will offer the Fray in three color options – Ash, Venom, and Salt. These are available globally
through ENVE Ride Centers and retail partners as a “Chassis” which includes the frame, fork, headset,
handlebar, stem, and seatpost. The bar, stem and seatpost are selected à la carte to ensure that
customers get the exact fit spec they need from the start. This allows the retailer to work closely with
the customer and ensure the parts and wheel selection is best suited to their riding needs.
The Fray is immediately available in all sizes and colors globally. The ENVE Fray Chassis retails for US
$5,500/ €5,995/ £5,500/ AUD $9,999 and includes the frame, fork, headset, stem, handlebar, and
seatpost.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
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