Vision Metron 55 SL Disc Clincher Wheels

Vision's Metron 55 SL Disc carbon clincher wheels are a good choice if you're all about riding fast all of the time, though they could be lighter and the hub axle adapters easier to use.

• Pros: Fast
• Cons: Heavy, fiddly end caps

The wheels feature a full carbon fibre rim featuring the now ubiquitous blunt rounded profile, with a generous 25mm external width, 17mm internal, that ensures good compatibility with 25-28mm tyres. Measuring 55mm deep, the wheels are a natural choice for cyclists who love to ride fast or racers on a flatter course. The rims are clincher tyre compatible, but not tubeless-ready.

> Find your nearest dealer here

FSA has designed its own hubs with compact flanges and straight-pull bladed spokes in a 2:1 lacing pattern with external nipples. It uses an adjustable preload system called Preload Reduction Assembly designed to reduce bearing drag from over-tightening the axles. The hubs turn on sealed cartridge bearings — two in the front hub, four in the rear — and they are now angular contact bearings and larger than those used in previous Metron wheels.

The hubs are compatible with a regular quick release and 12mm thru-axles, but they arrived with the former installed. No problem I thought, as all the adapters are supplied to swap the hubs over to the thru-axle configuration. Trouble is, the process of swapping the end caps over is mightily complicated and not in the least helped by woeful instructions. It was as tough a job as the Ikea daybed I recently lost most of a day to trying to assemble.

I did eventually get the wheels converted and running on a thru-axle disc brake road bike, but other wheel brands make it much easier to swap the end caps. One solution would be if FSA just supplies them in the 12mm thru-axle configuration from the factory, given it's just about standard now on most disc-equipped road bikes.

Thankfully, fitting tyres was much easier. I tried several different brands – Pirelli, Continental, Specialized – and they all went on just fine. The rims aren't tubeless compatible so it's inner tubes only I'm afraid, which is a shame and doesn't future-proof them.

What are they like to ride? Just like you'd expect a deep section carbon wheelset: fast!

I've ridden Metron wheels of various types and depths in the past and always been impressed by their performance. They go about their business with no fuss or drama, just lots of speed and dependable durability. These are no different.

These are exceptionally fast, but I can't make any claims about how they compare to other wheels without direct comparison testing in a wind tunnel. They did feel faster than the Zipp 302 wheels they replaced on the chosen test bike and power data backed up this feeling.

Where deep-section wheels tend to falter is in how they deal with crosswinds, but the Metrons handled them very well, being very controllable when the wind was coming in from the side and when caught by a sudden gust in a break in the hedgerow.

At 1,750g they are heavier than some similarly priced rivals and you do feel the weight blunting their performance at lower speeds and becoming really noticeable on steep gradients. It means these wheels are best saved for flatter terrain or races with few hills, or time trials and triathlons.

The wheels do feel solid, stiff and responsive. They're snappy when sprinting out of the saddle, and firm feeling when powering up a steep climb out of the saddle. They're robust, too, surviving a few accidental impacts with unsighted potholes. Spoke tension remained good throughout the test period, and with external nipples it's easy enough to make any adjustments you might need to.

On flat and undulating roads, and on my local Tuesday evening chain gang route, they performed well. Their weight does make them feel a little sluggish at lower speeds but once up to a higher cruising speed, they do that thing that all good deep-section wheels do and maintain momentum really well.

The choice of rim depth is a key decision you'll have to make if buying a carbon wheelset. Traditionally, shallow rims are best for climbers and mountain riding, with deeper section wheels favoured by time triallists, fast roadmen and sprinters. The 55mm rim gives a noticeable benefit over shallower rims at higher speeds so if you're racing, or just interested in riding as fast as you can all of the time, these are a good pick, but the penalty here is the high weight.

> Buyer's Guide: 26 of the best road bike wheelsets

The bearings are as smooth as you like and they've not shown any signs of distress, but I should add they've not been subjected to real British weather (rain) so I can't comment on how well the bearings are sealed. They've been keeping out dust just fine. The freehub provides quick engagement, certainly not feeling slower than any other major brand's wheelset, and the whizzzz sound they make is tolerable.

The rim decals are loud and proud which some people will love, but I know plenty will hate. They certainly look good when rolling along at a steady speed. It would be nice to see a more subdued option for people who like their wheels less shouty.

Rivals

When it comes to rivals and price, the Visions occupy a middle ground between the cheapest and the priciest. For about the same money you could choose the excellent Roval CLX 50 Disc wheels, probably one of the best wheels I've tested in the sub-£2k category. Or you could save a wad of cash and choose the Hunt 3650 Carbon Wide Aero Road wheels. Both of these options are tubeless compatible as well.

Verdict

Fast and stable aero wheels but heavy and with fiddly hub endcaps