Andres’s ENVE Fray Venom

For this week’s bike of the week you might say something wicked this way comes… it’s an ENVE Fray in the incredible ‘Venom’ colour way that Signature Cycles’ bike technician Andres will be riding this winter. 

“Most of my bikes have had rim brakes,” says Andres, “which I love, but it was definitely time for discs. I didn't want a full race bike, but I wanted something that would give me an option for wider tires during the winter.”

Disc brakes of course can do exactly that, and the all-road Fray has clearance for 40mm rubber when mixed-terrain missions call. But there’s a lot more to this extraordinary machine than that. With design cues taken from the ENVE Melee race bike, it cheats the wind with tube shapes based on the premium brand’s Real-World Fast aero optimization philosophy. The difference is that where the Melee prioritises pure speed, the Fray balances speed and versatility. Along with the bigger tyre clearance it features Cargo Bay integrated down tube storage for stashing your flat tire repair kit, windbreaker, or anything else you choose to carry, with room for 36 cubic inches. And a down tube mount stores an extra water bottle, tool kit, or pack to help ensure adequate storage on longer rides or multi-day adventures.

As a strong rider, it has everything Andres needs: “I have been using the bike since June, and it shows its pedigree in every situation. I ride in a race-pace group ride every Wednesday with an average speed of 25mph and also take a weekend fondo ride to my favorite coffee shop in Bethel with friends.”

The Fray is set up for speedy riding with a 2x Shimano Ultegra 12-speed groupset, Partington R-series MKII wheels with Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x30 tyres. Andres has additionally got those delicious, watt-saving upgrades: the CeramicSpeed OSPW cage, waxed chain and bottom bracket.

There’s not a cable in sight thanks to the ENVE IN-Route System that routes wires and hoses through the bar, stem, and headset, where they’re secured using ENVE’s anti-rattle finishing kit – allowing them to remain silent, out of sight, and out of the wind.

And for a super-clean finishing flourish, Andres has Arundel stainless steel bottle cages and pristine white bar tape.

“I never stop riding even during the cold season,” says Andres, “and I’m eager to ride the wider tire configuration.” He sums up: “I couldn’t find a better bike to suit my riding characteristics than this one. It fills that empty spot in my heart.”