As with every of our purchaser’s guides, we do our greatest to cowl the complete vary of choices in our checklist of the finest highway bike wheels. On condition that the market consists of quite a lot of wheel depths and makes use of, that signifies that the choices symbolize an enormous vary of wants. In relation to fashionable wheels although, some of the vital segments is that of deep carbon wheels. Â
Tech specs: Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SL
Value: $2,205 / €2,209
Rim Dimensions: 60mm deep, 21mm inner width, 32mm exterior width
Weight: 1580g wheelset weight as measured with rim tape, valves, and Shimano suitable freehub
Hubs: PRS Hub (Helical Clutch ratchet with 72T and 5 diploma engagement angle)
Spokes: 2:1 aero bladed spokes 21F / 24R
Tubeless Prepared
If we slim our focus a bit, we nonetheless have plenty of choices however there is a totally different unfold that begins to develop into clearer. There are premium manufacturers that sit on the prime of the marketplace for specs whereas commanding large costs. There are additionally funds choices the place you may search for nice efficiency with some small sacrifices for value. The Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SL is a type of wheels that sits proper within the center in probably the most aggressive vary.Â
There is no headline-worthy characteristic that instantly grabs your consideration nevertheless it’s simply as onerous to provide you with a adverse. On condition that center zone, it is a straightforward one to miss. Naturally, that meant I needed to present them a try to see in the event that they held their very own. In case you are curious to know what this newest technology of wheels from one of many best-known part manufacturers is wish to journey, maintain studying. I’ve put these wheels to the take a look at and are available away impressed.Â
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Design and aesthetics
I reviewed the earlier model of the Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SL Disc manner again in 2020 and I used to be late to the get together. The oldest evaluate I can discover is from 2018 and that is doubtless not when that earlier technology first hit the market. Regardless of the case, on the earth of high-tech fashionable biking wheels, they’re virtually fossils. Besides that for those who take a look at these wheels and journey them, you will see that they’re completely affordable on a regular basis wheels. When Imaginative and prescient introduced the Metron 60 SL two years in the past the model did not come to market claiming to alter the trade with a groundbreaking new design.Â
What we now have with the Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SL Disc clincher is a strong on a regular basis wheel that is gotten the mandatory updates. Foremost amongst these updates is a brand new rim form with a wider inner channel. It is nonetheless a hooked rim nevertheless it’s grown from 19mm to the present casual customary of 21mm. Touchdown at a claimed 1460 grams for the wheelset, the up to date model can be considerably lighter than the outgoing wheelset.Â
The truth is, that new 60mm depth is perhaps one of many extra radical design selections. We have but to see the complete crop of 2023 wheel releases however the theme for 2022 was undoubtedly the identical aero with much less depth and by extension much less weight. Regardless of that pattern although nobody is claiming a deeper wheel is slower. Having already “added lightness” Imaginative and prescient was free to additionally add depth, in addition to a slighter wider and blunter profile, to scale back drag.Â
From an aesthetics standpoint, that new depth is what drives the visible assertion this time round. Final time, Imaginative and prescient went heavy on the flashy graphics. This time issues have gotten a giant improve of subtlety with black-on-black graphics. There’s even a definite lack of uncooked carbon or carbon weave with a easy clean black setting the tone. The one highlighted element is the “SL” textual content that butts up in opposition to the quantity designating the rim depth of both 60 or 45mm.Â
The opposite new element is an entire replace to the hub system. Pull off the SRAM or Shimano suitable freehub and you will find a helical clutch ratchet design. On the floor, it is harking back to a DT Swiss system nevertheless it’s distinctive to Imaginative and prescient. As an alternative of the extra vertical association of DT Swiss, or Cadex, the 72 enamel interact on an angle whereas the freehub inserts by the centre of the service. That doubtless dodges some patents however, Imaginative and prescient claims it is about sooner engagement with the brand new PRS hub claiming a 5-degree engagement that’s 24% sooner than earlier than.Â
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Efficiency
When the Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SLs got here to me, I did not have a lot time to get to know them. I had just a few take a look at rides left earlier than packing the bike and heading to California. The plan was to journey north from Los Angeles to Monterey over the course of two days. That is round 273 km / 170 miles every day and there could be severe headwinds. It was a take a look at of the brand new FSA Okay-Pressure We 12s groupset in addition to a take a look at of my means to do an extended early-season journey. I wanted quick, snug, and aero.Â
An enormous a part of that equation, for any wheel, goes to be tyres. On that entrance I went with my favorite possibility, the Cadex Race tubeless tyres, and I selected a 28mm width. I might have completed this regardless however immediately I used to be pleased with the aero charts for the Imaginative and prescient wheels. Not solely did Imaginative and prescient design and take a look at for 28mm tyres however there is a vital aero benefit in comparison with operating a 25mm tyre. I am not going to assert that you could really feel that nevertheless it’s clearly there and I respect it.Â
The opposite element I can not declare to really feel is the brand new hub design. I can let you know that it is in regards to the center of the highway for noise. It would let a pedestrian on a motorcycle path know you might be there however different riders will not touch upon it. Except for that although, I can not really feel a bonus whereas using. What is good in regards to the new design is that there are not any finish caps to cope with and there are not any instruments wanted to swap freehubs. For most individuals that is most likely not an enormous concern nevertheless it’s a pleasant improve.Â
In relation to what I might really really feel about these wheels, my first impression was merely how fantastically day by day they felt. Coaching rides main as much as, and after, the large journey demonstrated that these are a set of full of life and cozy deep carbon wheels that go about day-to-day using with out a lot fuss. They’ve been designed for basic use within the World Tour and that’s what they really feel like.Â
Masking low wind and rolling hills I might be hard-pressed to assert I might really feel anybody distinctive characteristic of those wheels. On the day of the large journey, when the primary large hill got here, I spent some time considering how good fashionable wheels are moderately than the specifics of what Imaginative and prescient is providing. My scale put the Metron 60 SL wheelset at 1580 grams with tape and valves and in case you are nonetheless on the fence about deep wheels for on a regular basis use, let these be your lesson. You could find lighter wheels, with an identical price ticket, however these climb in addition to your legs. Nonetheless, that is not the place these wheels actually shine.Â
What most impressed me in regards to the Metron 60 SL wheels was how they carried out within the wind. Late within the day I got here out of the mountains and hit an absolute wall of a headwind. At moments when the highway turned 90 levels, there was good stability. After I requested, Imaginative and prescient went into some element about how a lot the model had labored on that. Particularly, engineers optimised the stress zone such that in a crosswind the stress is in the direction of the again of the wheel the place it’s much less grabby and extra steady.
What I discovered extra distinctive and spectacular although was the flexibility of the Metron 60 SL to offer a sail impact at excessive yaw angles. I went on the lookout for knowledge to again me up however, ultimately, all I can do is relay what I felt. At instances when the highway angled me round previous 90 levels, even a bit, I might begin to get the impact of a tailwind. It is a phenomenon that I’ve heard totally different manufacturers discuss infrequently however the Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SL appears to do a very good job. As a lot as something, it is extra proof that these are nice all-around, on a regular basis, wheels. Â
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Verdict
There is a temptation to gravitate in the direction of merchandise of all types with attention-grabbing particulars. The Imaginative and prescient Metron 60 SL is not that type of product. From the graphics to the specs, understated is a becoming description. As an alternative, that is the type of product that you could journey for years and by no means take into consideration. Our personal wind tunnel testing put these in the midst of the pack for aero efficiency and the Imaginative and prescient charts say that you will be sooner operating a 28mm tyre. My very own time testing them confirmed not solely that they’ll climb simply high-quality but in addition that they’ll deal with a crosswind with out drama. I additionally discovered they had been good at offering the push of a tailwind even when the wind was manner out to the facet.Â
There’s one other piece of the puzzle although and that is value. Deep carbon wheels aren’t low cost however on the earth of what is out there, Imaginative and prescient is offering a relative discount. Out of the wheels we examined, solely two had been each sooner and cheaper and so they each sit on the scales at proper round 1670 grams with no tape or valves. Hunt does provide the identical wheel with carbon spokes however by the point you spec it to match the burden of the Imaginative and prescient, the value is identical. At that time, you may must flip a coin however I do want the design of the Imaginative and prescient freehub to that of Hunt.Â
The one draw back I might discover is the continued use of a hooked rim. I might most likely additionally drop a 21 mm inner width into the combination however both manner, I believe you may discover, these aren’t actually negatives. There’s nonetheless a vocal group of consumers who’re in opposition to hookless wheel designs and 21mm is, as I mentioned above, the present casual customary. Nonetheless, large large hookless wheels are the longer term so Imaginative and prescient is enjoying it secure with these specs.
| Design and aesthetics | The scripty Imaginative and prescient textual content is subtly however busy. There are higher wanting wheels on the market. On the design facet it’s good to see wheels that target 28mm tires are objectively sooner when utilizing them. | 8/10 |
| Journey high quality | Imaginative and prescient does a superb job preserving compliance but in addition feeling responsive. Once more 28mm for the win on this regard. Deep wheels are about aero although and the high-yaw efficiency is spectacular. | 9/10 |
| Weight | For a 60mm wheelset weight is nicely managed however not class main. Enve wheels are wider and lighter although they’re additionally dearer. | 7/10 |
| Hubs | I’m a fan of this fashion of hub and these are extremely tunable for sound based mostly on the quantity of grease you pack in. They’re barely heavy although. | 8/10 |
| Worth | There are lighter wheels and there are sooner wheels however none of them are cheaper. | 10/10 |
| General | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 84% |
