Wide tyres need a solid base; 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 wheelset designed solely for gravel racing. The new SC 45 i30 is designed to excel in all kinds of riding 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: hard-tail bikes are ridden on narrow tyres over rock-hard tracks. It is the wheels that bear 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. Whilst many manufacturers continue to prioritise weight or aerodynamics, Vision is seeking to place greater emphasis on riding stability and control. In particular, the enormous internal width of 30 millimetres sets this wheelset apart from many of its competitors and should work exceptionally well with modern high-volume gravel tyres. Although the weight of 1,542 grams isn’t quite at the top end, it seems acceptable given the wide rims and the robust design. Stefan Frey, BIKE editor
An internal diameter of 30 millimetres at its heart
Arguably the most striking feature of the new wheelset is its 30 millimetres wide internal width. 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 really come into its own.
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 wheels. 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 from a workshop or support team. A sudden breakdown can therefore have far 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 freewheel 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
Conclusion from an editor’s perspective
The demands placed on a gravel wheelset are extreme: hard-tail bikes are ridden on narrow tyres over rock-hard tracks. It is the wheels that bear 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.
Whilst many manufacturers continue to prioritise weight or aerodynamics, Vision is seeking to place greater emphasis on riding stability and control. In particular, the enormous internal width of 30 millimetres sets this wheelset apart from many competitors and should work exceptionally well with modern high-volume gravel tyres. Although the weight of 1,542 grams isn’t quite at the top end, it seems acceptable given the wide rims and robust design. Stefan Frey, editor at BIKE
Stefan Frey
Editor