Having ridden the Vision’s Metron 45 SL Disc wheels for a few hundred miles now, it’s clear how much of an improvement they are over my old wheelset, the Vision SC 40’s. I was looking for an upgrade from an already reasonable wheelset, whilst also not breaking the bank. That’s easier said than done these days, where a set of something from Lightweight’s catalogue can set you back ~$7,000. The Vision’s Metron 45 SL Disc Wheels then, seem like a steal at $2161 (at time of writing).
What Makes the Vision’s Metron 45 SL Disc Wheels Special?
A balance of lightweight, stiffness, and aerodynamic performance.
Like most people these days, I was looking for something that was both light and stiff, whilst also being aero; so good at everything. Aerodynamics have come such a long way in recent years, that you can generally find lots of options in the ‘do it all’ category, and that’s where the Metron 45’s sit. They’re light, coming in at 1392g for the tubeless set (and 1308g for the tubulars), but the 21mm internal width and 31.1mm outer width means that they’re most aerodynamic with a 28mm tire, if you abide by the 105% rule. That’s a pretty sweet spot with today’s level of understanding where you can enjoy either the rolling comfort of the 28’s, whilst also maximising aero efficiency, or if you’re racing, you can take advantage of the lower rolling resistance whilst maximising cornering grip. On top of that, Vision have used aero bladed spokes to fully optimise the aerodynamics.
Handling in Crosswinds
Strengths and minor drawbacks in real-world conditions.
One downside that I’ve noticed is that for all the aerodynamic goodness mentioned above, the wheels feel a little excitable in crosswinds. This could just be the increased depth over my previous wheelset (40mm vs the now 45mm Metrons), but it’s certainly apparent when descending on exposed roads, where you’re travelling >60kph. If a lorry overtakes, or you come across a gusty section, the bars will twitch and pull – it’s not enough to cause concern, but just enough to wake you up if you were nodding off or daydreaming. One thing I’d have liked to see from the Metrons is a staggered rim depth, whether that be a shallower front or a deeper rear. The latter would be for an even further aero benefit of course, but the former might help settle the wheels in the corner-conditions mentioned above.
Design Features: PRS Hub and Engagement Improvements
How the new Power Ratchet System transforms responsiveness and power transfer.
With a few hundred miles in the bank, I can confirm that they’re hitting all the marks. They feel like they roll fast. I always laugh when I read that in reviews because it’s a very subjective assessment of what is really a very measureable performance output of a wheelset. However, short of doing a full objective comparison, either in a wind tunnel or on a set piece of tarmac, I can only go by the fact that it’s December and I’ve been setting PR’s on flatter roads that I’ve ridden hundreds of times. They also feel stiff and responsive when putting down the power. This is down to 2 separate design features; the rim itself and the new Power Ratchet System (PRS) hub. The PRS hub uses a 72 tooth ratchet vs the older 6 pawl hub. This results in a 5deg engagement angle, which in turn improves engagement time by 24%. This is really apparent when jumping out the saddle to follow a move, or simply ramping up the power and I think it’s one of the biggest improvements I’ve noticed when moving over to this wheelset.
The Competition and Value Proposition
Comparing the Vision Metron 45 SL Disc Clincher / TL wheelset to other wheelsets in its category.
There are choices a plenty at and around this price point, but I would pick these again out of the lineup given the chance. Of course they’ve been a big improvement from the SC40’s I just left behind, but they also compete with well-regarded wheelsets like the Roval Rapide CLXs (rim brake) that I’ve owned in years prior – high praise then. Not to mention, these wheels have gone on to win stages at the 2024 Tour de France, with Richard Carapaz taking the honours whilst riding Metron 45 SL’s. If they’re good enough for him…
Video – Vision Metron 45 SL Disc Wheels
Technical Specs
Description
Features
- Full carbon rim
- 45 mm depth rim
- 21 mm inner width
- P.R.S. Hubs with DP spokes CL
- 6 sealed cartridge bearing (2F + 4R)
- ABS self locking nipples
- Artisan built, entirely by hand
- 2:1 aero bladed spokes 21F / 24R
- Compatible with SHIMANO and SRAM freehub
Accessories (included):
- Front End Cap TA12 + TA15
- Rear End Cap X12
- Wheelset Bag
- Spoke Protector
- Tubeless Kit
- Inner Lock-Ring
Pricing
- Suggested MSRP – $2,161
Where to Buy
Pricing and more information can be found at fsaproshop.com and shop.visiontechusa.com.
Reviewed by Luke Lynch / SoCalCycling.com Team
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