Components
In 2022 my goal was to climb 1,000,000 feet (accomplished). So, while climbing about 3,000 feet per day I broke three of these chains in four months (and was fastidious about checking their stretch). Switched to a Red 22 chain and had no problems thereafter. I love this KMC chain, but the minimally constructed links just don�t work, for me, with considerable daily climbing. In a normal year, say 500,000 feet of climbing they perform flawlessly. Also, my experience is that they stretch a bit more quickly that a Red 22 or SRAM PC11 chain, but given its lightweight and minimal design this isn�t a surprise. All that said, it is still my preferred chain (unless on a long term climbing mission).
Purchased an Enve Melee after a high speed crash destroyed my S-Works Tarmac. Sz 52, 40cm bars, 100mm stem, built up with SRAM Red AXS with a Quarq power meter. Rolling on Carolina 50mm wheels, Industry 9 hubs and GP 5000 TL 28mm tires. I currently have approximately 400 miles on it both trainer and outside. If I compare it to my Tarmac the geometry is almost exactly the same, matter of fact, the only difference is a 4mm longer top tube and about 150gms heavier.
This thing is stiff...but in the right places. I think that is mostly a function of my going from QR skewers to thru axles. Fully built it's about 1.5lbs heavier than my Tarmac but I went from rim brake 11 speed to disc brake 12 speed and I think that is the main reason. It doesn't feel like it has the same snappiness as my Tarmac did when climbing but all out sprinting and cornering at speed I don't notice a difference.
My only complaint if I had one is that it is only available in one color. I typically build my own bikes because I don't want anyone to have the same bike I do and with only a single paint color that significantly increases the odds I will see another that is at least similar.
Long story short, I don't have any regrets and I am happy with my purchase, would definitely buy it again and recommend the Melee to the serious cyclist!!
Solid pedals at a great price. I�ve got bikes running these and another with the XT�s which are quite a bit more expensive and only a handful of grams lighter. I have no need to buy a weight savings so little when really a couple of rides and a couple fewer beers will be a cheaper and easier way to lose those grams. In practice I cannot tell any difference and have since bought more of these 520s when needing to add pedals to the quiver.
