Imaginative and prescient Wheels has slowly revamped its highway providing over the previous few years. The change has garnered wider tubeless prepared rims, up to date hubs, and total versatility. With this variation, the higher-end wheels obtained the replace first, after which the tech slowly trickled down. The Imaginative and prescient SC (Service Course) 30 AGX wheelset is the newest on the receiving finish of the tech updates. Imaginative and prescient didn’t change a lot from the higher-end SL model. Nonetheless, they gave this wheelset its personal path, with a deeper rear rim and gravel functionality.
What’s it? Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX Disc Wheelset
Imaginative and prescient’s latest low-profile carbon wheelset, the SC 30 AGX, gives practically the identical rim because the SL variations however at nearly half the value. How? They swap out the PRS hub (reviewed right here) for a much less superior (however strong) pawl-driven hub. If this sounds acquainted, thats as a result of it’s. We reported on this at Sea Otter Basic, and the wheels even obtained a “better of” award.
The Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX Disc wheelset is the newest addition to the Imaginative and prescient AGX (gravel and all-road succesful) line. It’s the first to make use of two totally different rim depths on the identical wheel.
The entrance of the SC 30 AGX is 30mm deep, and the rear is a barely taller 35mm. Each use the identical 24 straight pull spokes and lacing sample. The interior rim width is fashionable and measures 22.55mm with a strong hooked bead wall.
I’m new to the up to date graphics bundle of the latest Imaginative and prescient wheels. It’s basic however with a contemporary twist of overblowing the emblem. It’s adequately subtle that it doesn’t name out a lot and received’t throw off your bike motif.
Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX Weights
Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX Wheelset Particulars
- Entrance wheel: 30mm depth rim
- Rear wheel: 35mm depth rim
- Inside Rim Width: 22.55mm
- Outer Rim Width: 30.11mm
- Tubeless-ready – Clincher rim
- Centerlock rotor mount
- TA-12 and X-12
- Six sealed cartridge bearings (2F + 4R)
- DP Spokes – 24F / 24R
- Consists of rim tape included
- Artisan-built, solely by hand
- Alloy freehub: Shimano 10-11sp, SRAM XDR
- Weight: 1547g (with tape and valves)
- Value: $1,298
Experience Evaluation: Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX
I used to be very excited when the Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX got here throughout my desk. I’m a fan of Visions wheels, having raced their tubulars for years in cyclocross and deep-section wheels on the highway.
Most riders know Imaginative and prescient wheels and elements, however they principally come from numerous World Tour groups and OEM merchandise that arrive on their bikes. I really feel Imaginative and prescient generally will get a nasty wrap, and riders write them off because the “gear that comes inventory” on the bike they bought, not because the improve gear that riders take a look at for a efficiency enhance and pace. The brand new Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX wheels show you’ll be able to have efficiency, reliability, and rational pricing in an all-around wheelset.
So, are they gravel wheels? Good query, and the reply is… Sorta. The Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX suits that area of interest of all highway and gravel that floats between classes. The rim width is sufficient to fill out a 40-45mm tire effectively with out getting the lightbulb impact. The identical applies to fashionable highway tires; the SC 30 AGX works very effectively with a 26-30mm highway tire. So, they’ve a progressive highway really feel and a barely conservative fashionable gravel really feel. For cyclocross and something within the 33-40mm vary, they’re excellent (rim-wise).
On the All-Street
For the highway and all highway portion of my time on the SC 30 AGX, I opted for a thicker casing Teravail Telegraph 30mm tire. It’s a tire I wouldn’t flat on gravel exploration and one which rolls fairly effectively on the tarmac.
My first impression of the SC 30 AGX wheels was, “These really feel mild.” When really — they don’t seem to be. At 1547g, they’re nearer to the load of XC mountain bike wheels. Nonetheless, the general weight of the wheelset was within the hub. That is much like my sensation after I lately reviewed the FSA KFX i28 MTB wheels.
The wheels really feel good and calm on the open highway. They’re solely 30/35mm deep, so that they don’t catch a lot wind. They do have a pleasant roll, barely rounding out the tough spots and delivering a punch when wanted on a steep climb.
The dimensions of the 30mm tire paired with the 30mm rim boosts confidence in cornering with out feeling boring, like some wider rims.
Acquainted Shade Palette
Relating to aesthetics, the SC 30 AGX adheres to a well-recognized fashion information that the top-tier Imaginative and prescient wheel follows. The graphics are subdued, pale gray, and pop barely within the solar. The edges have a matte end, with UD carbon and a slight rise within the center.
To Gravel and Past
Most, if not all, of my time on the SC 30 AGX was spent using gravel and cyclocross. Gentle gravel is the place the wheels shine. The quantity of abuse and energy washing (cyclocross is superb on your tools) is value noting. I’ve flatted a number of occasions whereas on the SC 30 AGX wheels however have but to see rim injury. I’ve usually thought, “There goes the rim,” solely to discover a sliced tire and an unscathed rim.
Some (most) flat tires occurred from experimenting with the bottom pressures I may get away with whereas coaching in our cyclocross course. The 30mm rim width permits for a wonderful contact patch with out reducing the strain a lot to get the specified really feel. Paired with the 30/35mm depth, the wheelset has some pure give that helps soften the roughest roads and grassy fields.
To me, the wheelset shines as a real all-arounder, permitting riders to roll from highway to gravel as shortly as they’ll swap tires. The $1,298 price ticket put the SC 30 AGX on the bubble of accessible efficiency carbon wheels.
Lengthy Haul Hubs
The hubset on the SC 30 AGX is one piece that I each beloved and have some gripes about. The bearings (six in complete) are tremendous reliable. After many washes, creek crossings, and dust baths — they got here away rolling clean. Plus, because of the hub building, they’re easy to service and entry.
The place they fell brief for me is engagement. Since I’ve ridden the Imaginative and prescient wheels with the brand new PRS hub many occasions, the engagement gulf between the PRS and the 3-pawl design on the SC 30 AGX is a bit a lot. It’s not unhealthy, and those that don’t swap mountain bikes and highway wheels usually would have issue noting a distinction. Nonetheless, those that admire a excessive engagement hub will.
Is it sufficient to wreck the wheels’ efficiency? No, however once you’re used to that instantaneous engagement, it may possibly really feel like it’s.
Lasting Impressions
The Imaginative and prescient SC 30 AGX is a large step in the proper route. It’s fast-rolling and fairly accessible to those that need an all-arounder improve. The graphics are slight sufficient that they might pair properly with any bike.
The longevity of the bearings and rims throughout my testing makes me suppose the SC 30 AGX can be nice for anybody who is difficult on gear. They’re nonetheless operating as clean as I keep in mind from opening the bundle, with solely superficial scratches on the edges.
Would I modify something on the wheels? No, however I’d like to see a higher-end model of the SC 30 AGX (SL30?) with the PRS hub. That will be a highly regarded gravel and cyclocross wheelset, particularly now that tubeless cyclocross tires are acting at an all-time excessive. However one can dream.
