Vision Sc 55 Carbon Clincher 12x100 Front Sc 55 Carbon Clincher 12x142 Rear Review
Our Verdict
An affordable wheel option that aims to bring speed and performance to a broader audience
For
- Two affordable toll points
- Lightweight
- Bachelor in both rim- and disc-restriction configuration
- Tubeless compatible
- Aerodynamic properties
- 19mm internal rim width for improved traction and low pressures
Against
- Rim graphics could be bolder
Every bit far as road bicycle wheels become, Vision is one of the oldest manufacturers in the world - the company is besides one of the leading proponents of carbon wheel applied science with a lineage that dates dorsum to the '90s.
Its current wheel portfolio is all-encompassing, brimming with alloy and carbon options to sate all schools of thought, traditionalists included. In fact, despite the global move towards disc-brake actuation, Vision still offers a comprehensive range of rim-brake wheel options in a variety of material choices and rim profiles.
The brand's latest range is called SC or Service Grade - a carbon only option that is available in both rim- and disc-brake guises as well as two rim depths, 40 and 55mm. Starting at $999/£969 for the SC xl and peaking at $i,099/£i,059 for the range-topping SC 55 version, Vision is aiming to boss the lower rungs of the carbon clincher market.
Nosotros tested the entire four-model lineup across the rolling topography, mixed road surfaces and windy expanses of the UK's Surrey Hills and came abroad impressed by what they offer in terms of all-circular functioning and value.
Vision SC 55 rim restriction wheelset
The SC 55s are the range's top-tier offering and feature a contemporary 19mm internal width (25mm external) - an attribute that aids in running wider tyres and lower pressures. Adult in the wind tunnel with existent-world feedback from professional riders, the SC 55 wheelset has aerodynamics at its heart and accept been built around the tubeless concept.
I ran these wheels using inner tubes at showtime and then after every bit a tubeless setup. Both formats impressed me but the added compliance and tailorable nature of tubeless tyres meant I favoured the latter. Switching from 25mm Veloflex 'open tubular' rubber to 28mm Hutchinson Fusion five tubeless tyres unlocked the hidden character of the wheels - the result of which allows you lot to trust the front more confidently and unlock extra speed through the corners.
The same goes for braking. It'due south commonplace to feather the stoppers more in a flowing downhill situation when using rim brakes as they simply don't perform too equally their disc-brake counterparts. That said, the new carbon 'camouflage' restriction track of the SC 55 wheels offer offset-course stopping functioning that is modular in feel and feedback. According to Vision, information technology has achieved this by using a new weave pattern on brake track by only strengthening the necessary areas to go on weight to a minimum. This unique pattern as well looks intriguing and adds a premium, if not intriguing, aesthetic to the wheels.
Out on the road, the SC 55s perform well and are naturally very quick in a straight line, maintaining speed effectively when traversing rolling topography. At this rim profile, crosswinds will e'er pose an issue at times but it's more the sudden gusts funnelling out of side roads that you demand to guard against.
- RRP: $1,099 / £1,059.95 / €1,169
- Weight:1,671g (actual)
- Depth: 55mm
- Internal width: 19mm
- External width: 25mm
- Spoke count:sixteen/21 front/rear
- Tyre format: Clincher, tubeless
- Brake:Rim
Vision SC 55 disc brake wheelset
The SC 55 disc brake wheelset is very much like the rim-brake version sans the decorative brake track. At i,710g (bodily) they're marginally heavier but offer pretty much the same aerodynamic qualities, operation levels and internal/external rim specifications. With the constant influx of disc-brake-equipped examination bikes passing through my doors, I've used these wheels extensively over the past iii months, regardless of the axle standard. The hubs can exist converted to accommodate a host of axles by using spiral-on end cap adaptors.
I also experimented with various tyre brands, sizes and pressures. Of the sampled tyres - Vittoria, Schwalbe, Maxxis, Bontrager and Hutchinson - the latter (Fusion 5 28C) seemed to provide the happy medium every bit far as installation, durability and functioning went. Equally mentioned previously, the SC range comes tubeless-ready but withal requires some DIY work to get them prepped and prepare for action. I used Muc-Off'southward Ultimate Tubeless Setup Kit - everything is included in this parcel and the entire process tin accept as footling as v minutes per bicycle. Just ensure you've got 80mm valves as you need to compensate for the 55mm profile.
The SC 55 disc-brake wheels feature a 24/24 front/rear spoke design using direct-pull aero-bladed spokes as opposed to the sixteen/21 pattern of their rim-brake sibling. Save for the hubs, the rim shape and carbon-fibre layup is identical to the brand'southward more than superior Metron line of wheels and they perform but every bit well. While we've already established the SC 55 is ameliorate suited to flat and rolling terrain, they're not likewise bad when it comes to the hills either. Sure, they aren't the lightest options around but the weight penalization is worth the extra speed yous gain on the flats.
- RRP: $1,099 / £1,059.95 / €1,169
- Weight: one,710g (actual)
- Depth: 55mm
- Internal width: 19mm
- External width: 25mm
- Spoke count: 24/24 front end/rear
- Tyre format:Clincher, tubeless
- Brake: Disc
Vision SC 40 rim brake wheelset
Weighing in at 1,400g (actual) for a set, the Vision SC forty rim-brake wheels are made for those who enjoy overcoming gravity but, with a 40mm rim profile, they're more of an all-rounder than a genuine lightweight wheel. Like the SC 55 RB version, the SC 40s also employ that kaleidoscopic, 'camouflage' brake runway to maximum consequence. In fact, at 15mm the brake rail takes up a large portion of the rim profile's real estate.
A few extras are included in the box: a prepare of brake pads and two quick-release skewers. Vision recommends setting the pads up and then that they are positioned in a toe-in layout with 3mm clearance to ensure optimal stopping performance. Fitting the pads in this way also helps thwart whatever noises acquired when the brake rails heats up under friction - my first few rides delivered a couple of squeals but were apace resolved using this technique.
Performance-wise, the SC 40s are a quality option and provide a pretty decent mix of aerodynamics and climbing efficiency. In fact, depending on the terrain, they might very well be the faster choice of the two rim depths in the range. Like the SC 55 RB, they are spoked with 16 aero blades at the front and 21 at the rear which is fashioned in a 2:1 lacing pattern. The wheels, on the whole, are generally well behaved and track predictably through corners - even when the air current blows from the side.
If there'south i area, notwithstanding, that could do with some sprucing upward it would have to exist the decal graphics. While we appreciate the rim profile is somewhat limiting when it comes to design, a bolder, punchier motif would eternalize the overall aesthetic.
- RRP:$999 / £969.95 / €1,069
- Weight:i,400g (actual)
- Depth: 40mm
- Internal width: 19mm
- External width: 25.5mm
- Spoke count:16/21 front/rear
- Tyre format:Clincher, tubeless
- Brake:Rim
Vision SC 40 disc restriction wheelset
Bar the 190g weight penalty and lack of brake track the Vision SC 40 disc restriction wheelset is largely the same every bit its rim-restriction counterpart. That said, weighing in at fraction beneath 1,600g, the SC 40 DBs are anything but podgy. The one thing that stood out (across both SC 40 wheel formats) is the rim contour'southward propensity to bargain with windy conditions. The shallower rim depth means they're not every bit easily influenced by gusts which adds a sense of predictability and trust to the riding experience - particularly at the front end which is generally more affected by wind.
Every bit has become the norm for contemporary route wheels, every model in the SC lineup has a 19mm internal rim width, which can accommodate a host of contemporary tyre widths. While I did experiment with 25C tyres, the ride quality and performance levels were not quite upward to the standards of the 28C equivalent.
Out on the road, the SC forty DB wheels accelerate with alacrity cheers to the added stiffness of the 24/24 forepart/rear lacing configuration. The rear hubs are identical across the range and are compatible with both Shimano x/11-speed and SRAM 12-speed XDR systems. Comprising a iii-pawl system with 30 points of date (an engagement angle of 12-degrees) pickup is naturally crisp assuasive you lot to become on the power instantly. Their relatively low weight make them platonic for areas where hills dominate the topography while the 40mm profiling ensures a sure caste of aerodynamic proficiency - they feel pretty fast and mostly deport momentum fairly well. Again, unlocking the true potential of these wheels comes in the fashion of finding a tyre force per unit area that all-time suits your riding style.
- RRP:$999 / £969.95 / €1,069
- Weight: 1,590g (actual)
- Depth: 40mm
- Internal width: 19mm
- External width: 25.5mm
- Spoke count: 24/24 front/rear
- Tyre format:Clincher, tubeless
- Brake: Disc
Verdict
The performance road bike wheel market has become flooded with then many options that it's easy to make the wrong determination. For many, however, making a purchase on a new wheelset is every bit much an investment equally it is an upgrade and price is always going to be a deciding factor hither. With two distinct options for both the rim-brake purist and disc-brake adopter the Vision SC range not only features technology passed down from the brand's Metron range simply also comes in at a price point that belies its talents.
Which is the better of the ii wheelsets - the SC 55 or SC 40? I reckon it's more than a question of which wheel you ride and what topography your local road takes in. For me, the SC 55 ticks all the right boxes based purely on the rolling terrain that makes up the Surrey Hills where I spend a lot of my fourth dimension grooming. Regardless of the brake setup, the SC 55s provide a granular experience that is rich in performance and speed and compliant enough to deal with road imperfections.
That said, the SC 40s are as up to the task. I consider them the all-time option if y'all're sticking to a strict budget and require a wheelset that can punch well higher up its weight. Coming in at under the $i,000/£i,000 threshold they deliver just as much speed as the SC 55s and play nicely in the current of air.
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Aaron is Cyclingnews' tech editor. Born and raised in South Africa he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Equally the former gear and digital editor of Bicycling mag and acquaintance editor of TopCar, he'due south been writing about bikes and anything with wheels for the by 16 years. A competitive racer and Stravaholic, he'southward twice ridden the Cape Epic and completed the Haute Route Alps. When not riding, racing or testing bicycles in and around the UK'southward Surrey Hills where he now lives, he'due south writing nigh them for Cyclingnews and Bike Perfect. Top: 175cm Weight: 61.5kg Rides: Cannondale SuperSlice Disc Di2 TT, Cannondale Supersix Evo Dura-Ace Rim, Cannondale Supersix Evo Ultegra Di2 Disc, Trek Procaliber 9.9 MTB Follow Aaron on Twitter
Source: https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/vision-sc-wheel-range-ridden-and-reviewed/
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