Imaginative and prescient’s newest replace to its Metron line-up sees a giant overhaul to carry these wheels updated with the present crop of competitors. The brand new Metron 60 SLs are the wheels that had been utilized by Mark Cavendish to interrupt the Tour de France stage win report final yr and are utilized by a number of different WorldTour groups as effectively.
The development
Imaginative and prescient’s 60 SL wheels are utilized by a number of groups on the WorldTour stage.
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The important thing replace to the brand new Metron SL is a revised rim profile, which sees the interior width go from 19mm as much as 21mm. The exterior width is 32mm on the widest level and measures 29.5mm the place the tyre sits on the rim.
The hooked rim measures 60mm in depth.
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Each the entrance and rear rims characteristic the identical design profile with a 60mm depth, and so they stay hooked, resisting the development in the direction of hookless. For some, this can be seen as a scarcity of progressiveness, whereas others could rejoice on the continued use of a hooked rim. The profile has been designed to work most effectively with 28mm tyres, though Imaginative and prescient provides no claims on how aerodynamic the wheels are, solely stating that they’ve been designed utilizing CFD and wind tunnel testing to make them quick and steady.
Inside rim widths have been growing and the Metron SL has elevated by 2mm to 21mm.
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As with many new wheelsets, now the DT Swiss Star Ratchet patent has expired, Imaginative and prescient has moved to a ratchet hub design with their very own PRS Hub that includes a Helical Clutch Ratchet. That is completely different to most ratchet designs in that the enamel are organized at an angle. This hub makes use of 72 enamel for a 5-degree engagement angle, which is designed to supply fast chew and acceleration with minimal friction and decreased elements for servicing. Inside bearings are sealed cartridge bearings.
Imaginative and prescient’s PRS Hub and Helical Clutch Ratchet with its angled enamel.
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The entrance wheel makes use of 21 straight pull-bladed spokes with seven radial laced on the drive aspect, and 14 2-cross laced on the rotor aspect. The rear wheel makes use of 24 spokes with eight 1-cross on the rotor aspect, and 16 3-cross on the drive aspect. The claimed weight is 1590g, which seems correct as these overview wheels learn 1603g on my scales together with rim tape, valves, and a Shimano freehub.
The trip
First issues first in relation to wheels is becoming the tyres. At present, I’ve been utilizing the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS in 28mm for all my deep-section wheel testing, so I caught with them for consistency.
A used tyre fitted very simply onto the entrance, with minimal drive required, whereas a brand new one took a bit extra to lever onto the rear, which is pretty normal. As soon as on, they had been each in a position to be inflated utilizing a observe pump with out eradicating the valve and held strain effectively with a very good spill of sealant in them.
The measured width for the tyres was true at 28mm on the 21mm inner width. They sat flush into the rim profile, which expands outwards barely from 29mm on the rim edge to close 31mm halfway into the rim depth. Some might want hookless, which Imaginative and prescient would not supply, however I’m not set on that tech but as 70psi feels missing in responsiveness for me. That is simply private desire.
The rear wheel options 24 spokes and makes use of a 1-cross sample on the rotor aspect and a 3-cross on the drive aspect.
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Out on the street, they really feel fairly vigorous for a 1600g set of wheels. A part of that is doubtless right down to their spectacular stiffness. The spoke lacing is uneven on each entrance and rear, with a 2:1 ratio getting used. The entrance wheel makes use of extra on the rotor aspect, that are 2-cross, whereas the opposite is radial lacing. The rear makes use of extra on the drive aspect with a 3-cross and 1-cross on the rotor aspect. Each the interlacing of spokes and growing the quantity used on the aspect that experiences larger torsional drive usually results in a stiffer and extra balanced wheel, and that definitely feels to be the case right here. Relating to banking over in corners the wheels are laterally stiff, whereas braking and accelerating are on the spot with greater torsional stiffness.
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The hubs additionally impressed, with no brake rub on the rotor when accelerating. The acceleration is aided by the ratchet system, which picks up quickly due to the 5-degree engagement. There are questions in regards to the longevity of small enamel with a larger engagement charge, however I’ve but to expertise this subject. There are additionally questions in regards to the coasting resistance of those techniques, however I can’t actually assess that and there’s no tangible loss that I can really feel. Fewer shifting elements do make for simpler and hopefully cheaper repairs and replacements although.
Imaginative and prescient says the wheels have been designed within the wind tunnel and with CFD, however there are not any numerical claims relating to their efficiency. On the flats and downhills, they do really feel to carry their pace effectively and definitely roll properly.
Modifications in air strain, street floor, visitors, and terrain all affect day-to-day comparisons, so it is notoriously troublesome to evaluate wheel efficiency. What’s tangible is how they carry out in cross winds, and that is the place they impress as a result of sixty millimetres is the form of depth that may really feel precarious in windy circumstances. I’m tall and weigh within the mid-70kg vary, so can take care of crosswinds higher than lighter riders, however the Metrons are superior to most within the wind. Even after I was hit by a giant gust the wheels stayed steady, and I might really feel a level of sail impact when the wind route was aspect on. I’ve additionally seen impartial aero testing that backs this sensation up. Whereas I wouldn’t trip ‘no-handed’ in cross winds with the 60 SLs, they encourage confidence which results in larger pace.
The lacing sample helps to make the Metron 60 SLs a stiff proposition.
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At this value level, and barely greater, comparable wheels from different manufacturers are typically a contact lighter than the 60 SL’s 1,600 grams. I can’t say if this extra weight is on the hub or the rim; a heavier rim will really feel heavier than a heavier hub when altering pace, as extra rotational drive is required.
This distinction although just isn’t as perceivable at a relentless tempo, and I can’t really feel 100g of weight when climbing, even on steeper ascents. In consequence, these wheels really feel pretty much as good up inclines as many lighter wheels I’ve reviewed. That is doubtless helped by the spoke lacing sample, which gives a stage of stiffness well-suited to near-instant acceleration. Total, they’re a stable performer throughout the board.
Worth and conclusion
When it comes to worth, £2,000 is quite a bit for a set of wheels. HUNT affords a equally specced wheel, the 60 Limitless, which is similar depth however options ceramic bearings and carbon spokes. Saying that, they’re ever so barely heavier, however do use a bigger rim width. Aero wheels from Roval, Zipp and Mavic all are available a bit lighter – typically, the dearer they’re the much less they weigh.
In real-world driving, nevertheless, this distinction is negligible, as is the presence of ceramic bearings within the HUNT and Roval wheels.
A profit with Imaginative and prescient is its lifetime guarantee on manufacturing unit defects, and a lifetime crash alternative guarantee which provides homeowners 30% off a brand new set of wheels. HUNT additionally has excellent buyer care, however primarily based on my expertise testing each I want the Metrons due to their stiffness.