New ENVE MOG gravel bike: Details and ride impressions

The MOG is ENVE’s first gravel bike, but it is by no means the first gravel bike for the staff at ENVE, who have been not only riding and racing gravel for years, but also building gravel wheels and components for many brands and top riders. As a result, the MOG comes out of the gate swinging. There aren’t any gimmicks or outlandish designs; the MOG is just a well-balanced machine that can handle the full spectrum of gravel, from racing to bikepacking.
I rode the MOG with Campagnolo Ekar, ENVE SES 3.4 wheels and 40mm IRC Boken tires for a day on a portion of the Belgian Waffle Ride California, one of the original major gravel races and an event won multiple times by ENVE marketing manager Neil Shirley and last year by ENVE-sponsored athlete Alexey Vermeulen.
The MOG has fender and rack mounts, dropper-post compatibility, and internal routing. ENVE is pricing its MOG chassis - which includes the 950g frame, fork, headset, bar, stem and seatpost - at $5,500.
ENVE doesn’t sell complete bikes directly, but options built with Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo gravel components will be available through its retail partners. A Campagnolo Ekar bike with ENVE G23 wheels and 47mm tires weighs 17.5 pounds.
You can check out the MOG on
ENVE.com: alnk.to/60XgB6F
Competitive Cyclist: alnk.to/3y8ERCP
BikeTiresDirect: tinyurl.com/w2...
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The Ride is supported in 2023 by
Castelli clothing: www.castelli-c...
Giro helmets: www.giro.com
Feedback Sports stands & tools: www.feedbacksp...

[@mopedvieh]

I really like your channel and the way you approach reviews. Although the bikes might be 'sponsored' or at least made available to you, I never get a feeling that this influences your review. Unfortunately, you're one of the few creators out there to do so. Keep up the great work :)

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you very much. I appreciate you saying that. I realize there are a lot of different ways to do this, but I want to continue doing journalism. The bikes are certainly made available to me like they are to the more traditional media folks. And like my colleagues there, I am not taking money for reviews - as that would defeat the whole point. Thanks for your support.

[@outdoorbros_]

So dang good! I love the way you break down the specs, geometry and how it all translates to the road 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks. Wish I had more time on it before the embargo. I need to go check out yours.

[@robbchastain3036]

I saw the blurb about this at Cycling News and first thing I wondered was when would there be show-and-tell with Ben? And bingo, you are on it, Ben, thanks for crunchin' the gravel and crunchin' the numbers on this for us. And the chassis-only sales concept works, plus it makes it more attainable for most of us.

[@daniels.2720]

Ben D. > the reviewer that just doesn't sit & read Manufacturers Ad Script... Thanks Ben !!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

My pleasure. Thanks for your support.

[@jamessankey01]

Thanks Ben, you bring a professionalism sorely missing from your contemporaries content. Please keep them coming.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I appreciate your support.

[@againthebegin]

Official The Ride kit! Sweet!....Finally the KZbin racket is paying off. Just 10 subscribers away from that Lambo and motor yacht!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Getting that Lambo any day now... ha! Seriously though - Castelli, Giro and Feedback are helping support me for 2023 so I can keep this independent journalism thing going.

[@jmscheel]

Great review as usual,Ben. Love you honest take. Stay for the outtakes.

[@BikeTiresDirect]

Can't wait to get our demo built up so we can test it out! Great video Ben, as always.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you.

[@BenZCardiff]

Great review as usual Ben. But let’s be clear - this Ben is the local legend on these Hodges trails! Looking forward to ripping with you when you are back for BWR.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Haha. Great stuff, Ben. See you in May.

[@lazarosnikolaidis256]

Hello again Ben! Superb bike and review as always. I like the minimal aesthetic of the bike, something like Specialized did with Aethos & Crux. Would be nice to have two set of wheels, one for the road and one for gravel, by keeping the 1X transmission - AND SRAM ONLY!! On the other hand, matt finish is prone to spots, marks and sadness!! I prefer glossy finishes. Honorable mention #1: Good looking Castelli/'The Ride' outfit! (However I saw the wind and thought the garments are so good, they kill the cold, but at 11:28...hahaha!!!😄). Honorable mention #2: Your filming is going better and better and the footage from races, group rides, even jokes create a very interesting, honest and funny package. Thanks!😀

[@sandrochiavaro7831]

I ride a 2018 synapse disk with 35 tires. This sounds like an endurance road with full gravel clearance. Dream set up right here. Great review Ben!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

The Synapse is super comfortable, isn’t it? Thanks!

[@sandrochiavaro7831]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney yes it is, still more of a road geometry, but higher stack and longer wheel base. I think Eve may have cracked the code for that perfect and elusive one bike does it all .

[@ggcadc]

Wow they really cleaned that rocky step down section up on hodges. Previously the right hand thumb smashing boulder was tough (near impossible) to get around because of larger rocks down low, those have been moved as well as some dirt fill to smooth it out. I remember before bwr last year they did the same to some sections on raptor ridge. I too would like to speak to san diego's manager, more rain and wind this week.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I have only ridden that a couple of times so don’t really remember the changes. It still felt chunky to me! The original ride plan was Catalina, but the winds shut down the ferry. 🤷‍♂️

[@ggcadc]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney oh no doubt its chukny still, its now ridable in both directions for a larger percentage of riders.

[@envecompositesvideo]

Thanks Ben!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks for allowing me the chance to ride the thing and have access to the team for a couple of days. I'm honored to still be treated like media despite being - ahem - *outside* the traditional media these days.

[@Bogusuap]

Good looking bike

[@CM-ft9ep]

Ben loving that beautiful SoCal golden hour for filming.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Very grateful for the able assist from Avery Stumm here on the camera. And for a brief break from the foul weather...

[@bludog4657]

Came across your channel today at work. Love it!! I’m here in good ‘ol Albuquerque, thought was too cool when you said that in one of your videos. Got into gravel last summer, hoping to dive more into it this summer. 🍻

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Burque boiz!

[@kestralrider313]

great video, yes it is ALMOST always nice in San Diego, at least when you're near the ocean. The weather and lack of seasons is almost boring. I lived and rode there for years and many Euro road pros used to do winter training there. Sounds like you visited during the freak storms that we've been experiencing this year; it apparently snowed in SD for one day this year. I loved your MOG and Ventum reviews, two bikes on my shopping list. Any plans to ride and review the Factor Ostro Gravel in the future? That's the third on my list, but honestly I'm having a hard time justifying the cost for either the MOG or the Ostro.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks, Tyler. I do need to check out an Ostro... yes, on the list.

[@TheMirrorVision]

Great video, and love the production quality on this!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you. I had help from Avery Stumm filming my talking bits.

[@justinofboulder]

Five months in to riding gravel and am surprised how much time I am getting in and how much I am loving it, (despite being Winter). The hardest part was making a choice on what bike to buy, without having the opportunity to test ride many. "One bike to rule them all" is a great marketing tool, but I am already wondering if I want to have a few different setups?! As for So Cal cold temps....I remember that humidity feeling quite a bit colder than the dry air here in Colorado. Thanks for the video Ben!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Glad to hear you're loving it. The 'one bike to rule them all' was just me riffing on the Lord of the Rings. MOG made me think Smaug, etc... Anyhow, bikes are like cars - a jeep and a race car and a truck are different things with specific purposes. But most of us just have one vehicle, right? I just rode a monster gravel bike with 2.3in tires, and that is most certainly not a race bike! Or even a nimble everyday bike. But outside those outliers, most bikes are pretty darn capable. Just depends on what you like doing, right?

[@racerx40plus84]

Thanks Ben. Always value your insight and opinion.

[@swissride4k]

Awosem video attracts me too much, As I love cycling I want to say that: "Riding a gravel bike is not just a means of transportation; it's a way of life." "Gravel riding is about exploring the roads less traveled, pushing your limits, and discovering new horizons. The ENVE MOG gravel bike is a game-changer, providing riders with the perfect blend of speed, stability, and durability. It's not just a bike; it's a tool for adventure and self-discovery."

[@jeremymitchell8470]

Looks great! I was expecting a more competitive price since Enve chose to team up with a Chinese production facility.

[@blazacrew]

Sick kit

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you. Stoked to be on board with Castelli.

[@brianboschma]

Nice job on the website, however there seems to be a shortage of caps !!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks. I will do a reorder soon.

[@budlacombe]

Good stuff BD 👌

[@MacLeanWright]

Great video as always! Really loving your channel, you bring such a fun attitude towards gravel gear and reviews. How do you feel like the MOG compares to the Grizl? Both are in between race and slack. Both fit 50mm. Seemingly the big difference is that the Grizl is much much cheaper.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks very much. Good question on the ENVE v Canyon; they are quite similar. Canyon also sells a bunch of different options direct - which obviously helps with the pricing! Grizl doesn't have fully internal routing, which may or may not be a good thing in your book. I really like the VCLS seatpost on some of the top-end Grizls - comfy flex without causing the saddle to tilt way up like on the new Diverge. And some of the lower-end bikes are on blow-out sale now.

[@Ih8GoogleandApple]

$5.5K chassis. 😮 Looks like I’ll be shopping on Ali Express 😂

[@derekkuhl]

Looks sweet! Great review! This may be the one for me…

[@yumyumhungry]

Glad to see bike brands pushing ~50mm clearance. Seeing big bike brands max out at 40-42mm in this day and age is just sad. 5500, for a bike without wheels or a groupset is rather insane though.

[@whatwouldjacobdo]

I’ll be looking for you at Mid South! 🤙🏻

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yes, sir! What tires are you riding out there?

[@whatwouldjacobdo]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I'm not riding this year, but I'll be there supporting a couple of people. One will be on Pirelli Cinturato H 40s and I think Conti Terra Speed 38s for the other. If I was riding, I'd be on my trusty Panaracer GK SK 38s! I live south of Stillwater and I can't flat these GKs if I try.

[@wasupwitdat1mofiki94]

I bet your first impression was, Yup, I'm on something with two wheels. That's called a bicycle. I think most of them ride like that. The price for this frame coming from a Chinese mold doesn't justify that impression when you can get the same thing for a much lower cost. After that initial thought I can adapt to whatever.

[@marcowalther7867]

Thanks for the thorough and honest review! Can you compare it to the Cannondale Supersix Evo SE/CX, if you have ridden that one?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

EVO SE is a touch more plush. Cannondale is great at building in some flex to the rear end and seatpost. So that's a plus. The downside is Cannondale's integration means incompatibility - psot the post and the dish of the rear wheel. I had a bit of post slippage on the bike doing a cross race. Chalk it up to my lousy remount technique, but still, at proper torque spec and with carbon paste the thing still went down quite a bit.

[@marcowalther7867]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thanks already for sharing your experience. Would you say both bikes ride similarly? Given that both are having a similar geo from what I can see.

[@marciomvp9458]

Hi Ben, thank you for bringing us these quality videos. I have another question: what bike is more stable on lose-gravel downhill? ENVE MOG, BMC KAIUS 1 One or Ventum GS1?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

You're welcome. The GS1 is the slackest of the three; the MOG is the longest, and the Kaius is the lowest. All of those factor into feelings of stability. But I bet the Ventum would probably feel the most stable to you on the loose and fast - especially if you put it in the slackest setting.

[@marciomvp9458]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thank you so much

[@mikevannike]

Ley's talk numbers... I'm looking to buy a MOG for bikepacking. Not sure about the sizing. I'm 6"2 and 77 kilo's and not interested in following Alexy but would like a more relaxed fit. Should I go for a 56 with a longer stem or for the 58 and the shorter stem ? BTW I took a second and subscribed 😉

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Go bigger for more relaxed. Best is to work with a shop or a fitter if you are unsure. Or call ENVE!

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Great vid Ben, good details on the bike, so would you buy that bike? Hmmmm

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

If I could get a screaming deal on it, yes. 😁 I can’t afford many of the bikes I test. Which is one of the reasons I don’t do a “I would/would not buy this bike!” in videos.

[@jeremysweeten2792]

I see EKAR!!!

[@alexmurdock9101]

nice kit!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks!

[@gabrielmejias6094]

Great review! Hoping to get one. Which bar exactly you have on?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks. SES AR: alnk.to/28Pc2h4

[@jesuscruz836]

I'm a mog: half man, half dog. I'm my own best friend!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

John Candy FTW.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

So I just bought the complete top spec Revolt for the same price as the Mog frameset.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

And that is one of the reasons why the Revolt was my top gravel bike of 2023. 💥

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

This is one of the worst weather weeks we’ve had in a long time!

[@pizzathehut2001]

If the frame weight is metric please do they build as metric even if it's an afterthought or on screen, thanks

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Keep forgetting, dang it! 950g frame in 56cm; 7.9kg complete with Ekar.

[@racerx40plus84]

Ben - What size Mog did you test? How does that compare to your road frame?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

They put me on a 58 with a 100 stem. I'm a 56/58 'tweener, but I usually go 56 with a longer stem because I like the 172.5 that usually come on 56s - and I have short legs so I like how a longer post looks and feels. My road bike was built as a 'tweener, with a 57 top tube and a 115 stem. One cool thing ENVE has is a fit calculator were you put in your stack and reach coordinates and it spits out a few variation of how to get there, such as a 58 with a 100 and no spacers, a 56 with a 120 and XX spacers, etc. Please take a second to subscribe - it helps me out. Thanks.

[@racerx40plus84]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney thank you Ben. Subscribed and sharing too! I too am frequently between sizes. Used the calculator and … borderline. I appreciate your expertise and response.

[@kevinchang7693]

hey Ben, how tall are you ? I am a 54/56 'tweener looking for a gravel bike after BMC URS was stolen 2 month ago, appreciate your reply!

[@WayneCouyon]

I'm sure it's a good frameset. I'm not so sure how I feel about its price. A Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 (Di2, CXR 1 wheels, 53 mm tyre clearance, loads of mounting points etc.) costs barely more than just the MOG "chassis". And the Revolt is a damn good gravel bike.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

The Revolt is a damn good bike, agreed. Canyon has seven complete carbon Grizls (50mm clearance) for less than the ENVE chassis on its US site now. The top model with Di2 and DT Swiss GRC1400 is $4,999. This year will be interesting for pricing across the board, as supply has far surpassed demand in many sectors.

[@WayneCouyon]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Canyon has great prices both for Grizl and Ultimate SL. Until you actually want to buy a bike :), because delivery dates are 2023 September...

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

@@WayneCouyon Doh!

[@jubalvw3302]

What geo and features would make the ultimate modern gravel bike for you, Ben?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Good question. Could be a good video, eh? Thank you.

[@rapportbuilding3474]

coming out///////////

[@hanswolters1781]

Ben, what bar did you have on that bike? It kinda looked like the G bar, but you said it is not.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

SES AR. You can tell by the flat tops. G is round on tops (and has a wider flare).

[@HKRoad]

Have you ride the Melee also? If so, how would you compare the two on pavement? Just wondering whether this is the "one bike" that works for all surfaces.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I have not, no. I have ridden and raced the Custom Road on pavement and gravel. Max clearance there is 35mm, though. Three things to keep in mind when considering one bike for both: clearance and handling, right, but also the BB drop. Some gravel bikes have a low BB AND are built to be run with fat and therefore taller tires. If you put 28s on a bike meant for 40s, it will sit lower, and you might end up clipping your pedal on the ground. I had that experience last week with an Aspero with road tires, for example.

[@HKRoad]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney That makes sense thank you. So a Melee it is for me. All the best.

[@industryrule-4080]

You always get test bikes with Ekar! 😂

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Campy Ekar does have one strong selling point for brands now - it's available! Hehe.

[@galenkehler]

Gravel needs to be slacker than 71⁰ imo. You're going faster than DH bikes, on looser surfaces, so it makes more sense to have at least a head angle in the 60s My gravel bike has a 69⁰ head angle with 91mm of trail, and it feels fantastic

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Which bike do you have?

[@galenkehler]

​@@TheRidewithBenDelaneyXL BMC two-stroke, with a 27.5 fork to drop the front. Fits a 700x47c tire nicely. Rotor Aldhu cranks to keep the roadish (151mm) q-factor, and a 44t ring just fits. I'm a big guy at 6'1" so it's got a nice amount of reach, and a nice long wheelbase for stability.

[@galenkehler]

​@@TheRidewithBenDelaneydropping the front end with the 27.5 fork rotates the bike into a really nice gravel geo. BB drop increases, so it's about 75mm. Reach increases to 510mm (from 485 with the stock fork) so I don't need a long stem. Seat angle increases to 74⁰ so you can run a zero-setback post. All in all, a hardtail mountain bike has really nice geometry for gravel if you just drop the front end by a few inches.

[@marciomvp9458]

Hi Ben, regarding comfort, how do you rate ENVE MOG, BMC KAIUS 1 One and Ventum GS1?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

For something like that, I would love to get the bikes in a lab and test vertical deflection like we used to do back in the day at VeloNews. Obviously tires and saddle make a huge difference, as does bar width and positioning. But just going on my very nonscientific ride impressions, I'd say the Kaius has the most built-in flex. The Ventum's flex seems to be isolated just under the saddle rails. The MOG flex seems to be more evenly distributed across the post. Now help me out and please subscribe! :-)

[@marciomvp9458]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thank you. And I am glad you ask. I really thought I had previously 😂

[@jcooley]

Hey Ben, what size gravel bars are those? I’m stuck between 42 and 44 cm. Thanks!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

42, and they flare a bit.

[@jcooley]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney thanks for the reply! I’m counting on the flare for stability. I’ll go with 42.

[@pjohns8]

Diverge vs MOG? Which one

[@jonmc7583]

@the ride Ben, are there any plans to sell that The Ride kit??

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I will have hats for sale soon. I had not thought about selling the kit. Should I?

[@jonmc7583]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I really like it. I understand my 1 possible kit isn’t going to make or break. But it looks good and isn’t plastered with sponsors. If it’s a way to support you/channel, I like the idea! 😊

[@victordub]

doooope

[@whosspyingonme]

No motor? Drop the price 2 grande

[@iamlyam79]

Master Of Gravel? Made Of Glue? I can think of so many. LOL

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Man of Girth has been my favorite via Instagram so far.

[@bludog4657]

ENVE… proud of their product? 5500, ouch

[@GHinWI]

5500 for a made in china frame…that’s a nope.

[@0theom]

Alexey's got loose helmet straps

[@mikewarman315]

What everyday rider can afford this? The bike industry wonders why it is trouble and you don't have to look any further than here. Even most people who buy this bike can never bring it to its full potential. Wake up bike companies build a 1500 to 2500 dollar bike with mid level parts and they will fly off the shelf.

[@KOL630]

Nice video. Dang 5k for a bike made in a China. I’ll pass….

[@juanhidalgo7043]

Lol, forget gravel! ENVE make a hard tail and a full suspension MTB.

[@johnbravo7542]

All that money and it's still made in China

[@troyhamiltonwhite]

Mehhh

[@billwinnenberg2003]

For the 1%….

[@manuelrabelo6780]

Another overpriced bike

[@rcg9573]

That's pretty much all these outside paid marketing reps who pose as "independent reviewers" review these days. :-)

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I can’t speak for others, but I certainly am not an outside paid marketing rep. I am operating much the same as I did when I was an editor at VeloNews, BikeRadar, and other outlets; I do not take money for reviews. I am grateful to have the support of Castelli, Giro and Feedback Sports this year - and as such I am not reviewing any clothing, helmets or tools, as that would be disingenuous.