ComparisonsFoundation 45 vs Foundation 65

ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE

ENVE Foundation 45 vs ENVE Foundation 65

The ENVE Foundation 45 is 100 g lighter (1,535 g vs 1,635 g claimed per pair); the ENVE Foundation 65 costs €289 less (€1,309 vs €1,598) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 45 mm on the Foundation 45 and 65 mm on the Foundation 65. Both share the internal width (21 mm) and the listed tyre range (25–32 mm).

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Both on the same bike.

Drag the handle to switch between the Foundation 45 (left) and the Foundation 65 (right) on a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS. Black tyres shown for context.

Foundation 45 Foundation 65

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SIDE BY SIDE

Specifications.

Rows with different values are highlighted. Weights are manufacturer claims per pair.

ENVE Foundation 45 and ENVE Foundation 65 specifications
SpecificationENVE Foundation 45ENVE Foundation 65
Claimed pair weight1,535 g1,635 g
Price per pair€1,598€1,309
Price checkedOctober 2026October 2026
MSRP€1,649€1,649
Rim depth · front45 mm65 mm
Rim depth · rear45 mm65 mm
Internal width · front21 mm21 mm
Internal width · rear21 mm21 mm
External width · front28 mm28 mm
External width · rear28 mm28 mm
Listed tyre range25–32 mm25–32 mm
Rim typeHooklessHookless
Spokes · front / rear24 / 24 · Steel24 / 24 · Steel
BearingsSteelSteel
WarrantyLifetime; conditions applyLifetime; conditions apply
Crash replacementFree replacement, later 30% discount Conditions ↗Free replacement, later 30% discount Conditions ↗
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What the differences mean.

General context for the specifications where these two differ. Numbers in superscript link to the sources below each topic. How much each point matters depends on your riding, tyres and bike.

Weight: what the grams mean

The Foundation 45 is 100 g lighter per pair (1,535 g vs 1,635 g, manufacturer claims).

On a steady climb only total weight counts: a gram in the wheels costs the same as a gram in the frame or a bottle.1 A common rule of thumb is about 2 seconds per 100 metres of climbing for every kilogram, so 150 g works out at roughly 3 seconds on a 1,000 m climb.2

Rim weight matters somewhat more when you accelerate, because the rim spins as well as moves forward; physically that effect is at most about twice that of frame weight, and only while speeding up.1 Claimed weights are measured differently from brand to brand: some include rim tape and valves, others do not, and tolerances of around ±30 g are common.3 Independent weighing usually lands close to the claim once tape and valves are accounted for.4

  1. University of Illinois physics Q&A: rotating weight
  2. Cycling Uphill: time saved per kilogram
  3. Elitewheels: what claimed weights include
  4. BikeRadar: claimed vs weighed (Shimano RS710 review)

Rim depth: aerodynamics, weight and crosswinds

Rim depth: 45 mm on the Foundation 45, 65 mm on the Foundation 65.

Foundation 45 28 mm21 mm45 mm Foundation 65 28 mm21 mm65 mm

Cross-sections drawn to scale from the catalogue values for outer width, internal width and depth. Simplified shape, not the manufacturer's exact profile.

Deeper rims generally reduce aerodynamic drag, which pays off most at higher speeds on flat or rolling roads, but they tend to weigh more and can be more affected by gusty crosswinds. In a BikeRadar comparison, 60 mm aero wheels were about a second per kilometre faster on the flat but slower on steep climbs than a considerably lighter set.1

How a wheel behaves in crosswinds depends on the rim shape as well as its depth,3 which is why TOUR measures steering torque in the wind tunnel, not just drag.2 Shallower rims are generally easier to handle in gusts, something lighter riders and riders on exposed roads tend to notice first.1

  1. BikeRadar: aero vs lightweight wheels
  2. TOUR: how wheels are tested in the lab
  3. road.cc: what wheel designers care about
WHICH ONE FITS

Choose by what matters to you.

Derived from the specifications above. This is not a performance rating.

Choose the ENVE Foundation 45 if…

  • Low weight matters to you: 1,535 g, 100 g less than the Foundation 65
  • You want the shallower rim: 45 mm against 65 mm
Full Foundation 45 profile →

Choose the ENVE Foundation 65 if…

  • You want to spend less: €1,309, €289 below the Foundation 45
  • You want the deeper rim: 65 mm against 45 mm
Full Foundation 65 profile →

Common questions.

How much lighter is the ENVE Foundation 45 than the ENVE Foundation 65?

100 g. The ENVE Foundation 45 has a claimed pair weight of 1,535 g, the ENVE Foundation 65 1,635 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.

Do both take the same tyre widths?

Yes, the range is 25–32 mm for both. ENVE approves tyres from 25 mm for both wheelsets and publishes no maximum. The 32 mm in our catalogue is a Show My Bike assumption, not a manufacturer figure. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your exact tyre and pressure.

What is the price difference between the ENVE Foundation 45 and the ENVE Foundation 65?

€289 at our October 2026 price check: the ENVE Foundation 45 cost €1,598 and the ENVE Foundation 65 €1,309 per pair. Prices change; check the current offer with the retailer or manufacturer.

Which of the two has hookless rims?

Both. Use tyres the manufacturer approves for hookless rims and respect the pressure limits.

Your next step.

ENVE Foundation 45 Check my Fit → Product profile ENVE product page ↗
ENVE Foundation 65 Check my Fit → Product profile ENVE product page ↗

Sources & data notes.

All values come from the Show My Bike catalogue, the same records used on the product pages. Prices checked October 2026. Some model-specific details were reviewed against the manufacturer pages. Manufacturer claims are identified as such. No independent product test is claimed, and no winner is declared.