Wide tyres need a solid foundation; only then can they reach their full potential. On the 30-millimetre-wide carbon rims of the new Vision wheelsets, 55-series tyres can easily be ridden at 1.4 bar. Maximum comfort. Grip like a rally car. A ride as smooth as gliding on a cushion of air. And despite their wide design, the wheels are engineered to cut through the air aerodynamically.
With the new SC 45 i30, Vision presents a wheelset that has already proven itself at The Rift gravel race in Iceland. And, as is well known, the wind sweeps particularly mercilessly across the rugged volcanic landscape there. However, Vision has deliberately chosen not to develop a wheel set designed solely for gravel racing. The new SC 45 i30 is designed to excel across a wide range of conditions: tarmac, gravel, forest tracks, bikepacking routes and, occasionally, more challenging terrain.
Conclusion from the editor’s perspective
The demands placed on a gravel wheelset are extreme: hardtail bikes are ridden on narrow tyres over rock-hard tracks. The wheels have to take the brunt of this, first and foremost. With the SC 45 i30, Vision is heading in exactly the right direction: wider, more robust and more versatile. In particular, the enormous internal width of 30 millimetres sets this wheelset apart from many of its competitors and should work superbly with modern high-volume gravel tyres.
30 millimetres for maximum volume
Arguably the most striking feature of the new wheelset is its 30 millimetres wide inside. Whilst traditional gravel wheels often have rims between 21 and 25 millimetres wide, Vision is following the current trend towards significantly wider rims. This gives modern gravel tyres greater volume and a flatter profile. According to Vision, this offers several advantages: greater traction on loose surfaces, improved cornering stability, better control at low tyre pressures and a larger contact patch for greater comfort.
It is precisely with the increasingly popular tyre widths of 50 to 55 millimetres that the wide rim is likely to show its strengths.
45-millimetre rim height for gravel racers
As well as the width, Vision has opted for a rim height of 45 millimetres. This places the SC 45 i30 in a category that was long reserved primarily for aero road bike wheelsets. However, demand for aerodynamic wheels is growing in the gravel segment, particularly for fast gravel races and long marathon events. The use of so-called direct-pull aero spokes is also said to improve aerodynamics.
It is striking that, during development, Vision did not focus solely on speed. Above all, durability, reliability, ease of maintenance and impact resistance played a key role in the development process.
This reflects the reality for many gravel cyclists. Unlike with road bikes, the stresses on the bike are significantly greater, whilst rides often take place far away from a cycle shop or support services. A sudden breakdown can therefore have much more serious consequences.
Tried-and-tested technology inside
When it comes to hub construction, Vision relies on its in-house V-200 hubs Featuring a classic three-pawl freehub system. Six sealed industrial bearings are designed to ensure durability and ease of maintenance. When it comes to the standard brake disc mount, Vision relies on Shimano’s Centre Lock mount. Furthermore, the wheelset is compatible with the most common freehubs: Shimano HG and Microspline, as well as SRAM XDR. This means Vision covers virtually all current gravel drivetrains.
Vision SC 45 i30 – Information & Price
- 45 mm rim height, carbon rim construction
- 30 mm internal diameter / 38.5 mm external diameter
- Tubeless-ready
- Vision V-200 hubs with 3-pawl freewheel
- 2:1 Aero direct-pull spokes
- 6 sealed industrial bearings
- Centre-lock mount
- Compatible with Shimano HG, Microspline and SRAM XDR
- Weight: 1,542 g per set
- Price: 1,249 euros
Stefan Frey
Editor