What bike setup for ENVE Stone Circle?

Stone Circle promises to be a blend of singletrack, bridleways, tarmac and fast rolling gravel, so the ideal bike to ride it on will be one that can handle versatile terrain and runs the event-recommended 38mm tyre or bigger. A versatile offroad bike, such as the Cannondale Topstone, could be suitable, so too could a CX model or an adventure bike, such as the Pivot Vault.

We opted for the ENVE MOG, as it is aero enough the be fast over the smooth Salisbury tracks, compliant enough to offer cushioning for rocky or rutted sections, and customisable to fit your preferences, whatever they might be. Are you looking to drop your mates and achieve a PB? Experience a silky-smooth, super-comfortable ride? Or simply enjoy exploring the terrain, confident that you’re ready for every eventuality the day can throw at you? We have your dream build here.

Built for speed
Built for adventure
Built for all-road, all-rounder ability

Built For Speed

Our super-fast, light and aero but still practical MOG setup includes:

• ENVE SES 3.4 Wheelset
• ENVE SES AR One-Piece Handlebar
• ENVE In-Line Post
• ENVE Handlebar Tape
• ENVE C.I.M. Bottle Cage
• ENVE X Selle Italia Boost SLR Saddle
• Wolf Tooth Direct Mount Aero Chainring
• Wolf Tooth LoneWolf Aero Chainguide
• Wolf Tooth Anodised Bling Kit
• Trickstuff Power Brake Pads
• Kogel Kolossos Oversized Pulley Cage
• Kogel Wheel Bearings
• Kogel T47i Bottom Bracket
• WTB Vulpine S rear tyre
• WTB Vulpine front tyre

The SES 3.4 wheelset is fast but forgiving, so you won’t be rattled the way you might if the rim was less high-volume. The profile is 38mm front and 42mm rear, with a 25mm inner width, so it feels stable on uneven ground and there’s room for wide, confidence-inspiring tyres, but the rims are still light enough for velocity. Tubeless compatibility also means less chance of a flat marring your day.

Kogel bearings in the wheels help them to roll smoothly, lowering corrosion and friction while increasing the life of the setup. Meanwhile, the Vulpine S/Vulpine tyre combination offers swiftness with just enough grip. The Vulpine S is WTB’s fastest gravel tyre, with its slick centreline propelling you on your way, while tight knobs and a round profile allow you to corner safely. The Vulpine has more texture in its centreline, to prevent you from sliding out, while short knobs at the edges offer traction for braking and climbing.

The SES AR One-Piece bar not only has an aero cross-section but flared drops, for added stability and control, and comfortable, ergonomic shaping, perfect for epic rides. The addition of the In-Route System means cables are hidden, both from the wind and for a clean look, while ENVE bar tape is grippy even in wet weather and will soak up vibrations.

The zero-offset carbon post is light, but also strong, absorbent and super easy to adjust, while the Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring is available in large sizes, enabling faster speeds at the same pedalling cadence, and the chainguide prevents chain drop at critical moments.

The Trickstuff Power Brake Pads are conducive to speedy riding with confidence, since they will stop you at a critical moment without overheating, while the Kogel Oversized Pulley Cage again helps you go faster with less effort by minimising friction within your drivetrain and optimising your shifting. The T47i Bottom Bracket, meanwhile, maximises the efficiency of power transfer to the pedals, with the same result.

The rest of our chosen components will add practicality and a touch of class to your build. The strong C.I.M. cage will hold your vital water supply safely, even on rough singletrack, but being made from carbon, is very light and tuned for the perfect grip.

The ENVE X Selle Italia Saddle has a cutout that both minimises weight and relieves pressure, for all-day racing comfort. It is also perforated, so you’ll stay dry, and can be accessorised with feather-light carbon or titanium rails. Last but not least, the light aluminium bling kit will add a fun pop of colour to your build but isn’t just for show. The anodising will protect it from wear if your route is muddy and littered with debris.

Built for adventure

Our luxurious MOG build that prioritises all-day comfort includes:

• Chris King GRD23 Wheelset
• ENVE G-Series Gravel Integrated Handlebar
• ENVE In-Route Aero Road Stem
• Wolf Tooth Integrated Headset
• ENVE G-Series Dropper Post
• Wolf Tooth Seatpost Clamp
• Wolf Tooth Morse Bottle Cage
• Wolf Tooth Asymmetric Chainring
• Wolf Tooth LoneWolf Aero Chainguide
• Wolf Tooth Supple Lite Bar Tape
• Trickstuff Power Brake Pads
• WTB Riddler rear tyre
• WTB Raddler front tyre
• WTB Gravelier Saddle
• Wolf Tooth T47i Bottom Bracket

The Chris King GRD23 Wheelset has a bit more flex than other carbon all-road wheels, which means it absorbs vibrations better, while still being stiff enough to roll efficiently. It’s built around one of King’s own hubs which gets faster with age and is easily serviceable.

We chose the ENVE G-Series Handlebar since the carbon layup delivers all-day hand comfort, while the degree of flare in the drops has been perfected by ENVE’s experts to provide optimal control, while minimising upper body fatigue.

The ENVE In-Route Aero Stem is compatible with most drivetrains on the market and is a great option for gravel bikes. It conceals all cabling from the shifters and integrates it into the frame, which means you get a lovely, clean-looking cockpit, reduced drag and less chance of debris and mud buildup causing sluggish shifting. The Wolf Tooth headset, meanwhile, was developed for setups using the ENVE In-Route system and continues to conceal the cables on their way from the cockpit to the frame.

A dropper post is vital to help lower your centre of gravity and boost your confidence as you ride technical sections, which you’ll find plenty of on Salisbury Plain. The light alloy G-Series Dropper Post offers a hefty 40mm of drop and can be trimmed by 130mm to cut 50g of weight, should you be looking to ride light. Meanwhile, the Wolf Tooth Seatpost Clamp will add a bit of bling to your frame, while clamping your seatpost firmly and consistently.

We’ve chosen the Wolf Tooth 110 BCD Chainring as it’s great for 1x setups and primed to shed mud while holding your chain firm. The chainguide is again included for security on what could be a very gritty or muddy route. Another part of the setup we’ve included on both models is the super-reliable and forceful Trickstuff Power Brake Pads.

For this build, we’ve opted for the Wolf Tooth T47i bottom bracket over the Kogel, as although it’s a little less speedy, it comes with Wolf Tooth’s ‘Right to Repair’ promise, so it will be long lasting and you’ll be able to easily source any parts that do wear out.

The Riddler and Raddler setup is perfect for adventure riding as these tyres are more heavily treaded than the Vulpines, which means they offer improved grip and snappier cornering, especially on loose gravel. The centrelines, though, are still semi-slick, limiting drag. Both builds included the wider 45 x 700c size over the fast 37 x 700c option, for added stability, comfort and confidence over very mixed terrain on this full-day challenge.

The Gravelier Saddle was chosen for the adventure build as it’s comfortable and supportive, while also sporting a wide nose, perfect for when you shift forward as you ride. There’s still a pressure-relieving perineal cutout, and this saddle’s Fusion Form base cradles the pelvis in a forward leaning position, while simultaneously optimising power transfer and diffusing unwanted shocks. There’s also an integrated storage solution mount for essentials.

Once again, Wolf Tooth’s bling kit adds style, while this time we’ve opted for Supple Lite Bar Tape, a slightly softer option for your hands, and the Morse Bottle Cage, which is marginally heavier than the C.I.M. cage but offers more versatility when it comes to mounting positions.

Built for all-road, all-rounder ability

Our most practical, versatile build, for equal measures of speed and comfort, includes:

• ENVE G23 Wheelset
• ENVE SES AR Handlebar
• ENVE Seatpost
• ENVE C.I.M. Bottle Cage
• Wolf Tooth Direct Mount Aero Chainring
• Wolf Tooth LoneWolf Aero Chainguide
• Wolf Tooth Anodised Bling Kit
• Trickstuff Power Brake Pads
• WTB Exposure 36c tyres
• WTB Solano SL Saddle
• ENVE Handlebar Tape

Optimised for grippy, confidence-inspiring 35-45mm tyres, the ENVE G23 Wheelset is light enough to be fun, fast and a great climber, but is also tough, with protection against pinch flats, resistance to chatter and a profile that effectively absorbs impacts.

We chose the SES AR Handlebar for this build, since it delivers the best of a road and all-road handlebar, with aero shaping proven in the wind tunnel and concealed routing to keep cables out of the draft, alongside wider flares that provide support for riding over rough ground and easy access to the brakes, dropper lever and other critical cockpit elements.

The ENVE seatpost, meanwhile, is created from unidirectional carbon fibres for a combination of strength with low weight. Despite its lightness, it secures your saddle in a vice-like grip, while allowing easy adjustments to the angle and tilt to suit the terrain, and absorbs vibrations like a champ.

The bottle cage, handlebar tape, bling kit, brake pads, chainring and chainguide are the same as on the speed build, all delivering performance with light weight and style, but the Exposure Tyres are unique to this build. They feature a totally slick centreline, for out and out speed, but also a hatched outer tread and high volume that together bring control and cornering confidence.

Finally, this build includes the Solano SL Saddle. It’s comfortable and supportive, with enhanced padding around the sit bones and a comfort zone for perineal pressure, but also has thinner padding around the perineal and frontal areas for improved support over long distances and during hard pedalling, not to mention lower weight. It’s short, with a rounded tail, for easy movement on the saddle, and features an integrated tool mount.

Get ready to MOG

Whatever the length of your chosen route and your personal ride preferences, we’re confident that the MOG is the right bike to see you safely through Stone Circle, with two of our team of four riders having opted for it last year.

Its geometry, with a slacker front end than many bikes in its class, ensures the MOG holds the trail beautifully, descends adeptly and will fill you with the confidence needed to ride at any speed you choose. Both riders raved about its capabilities, with our faster rider describing it as ‘faultless’ and talking about how much trust he had in it, while our gravel event newbie credited it with helping him to keep pace with fitter, stronger riders on the road.