Affordable, wide and underrated, the SC 45 i30 sees Vision put width ahead of weight in a competitively priced gravel wheelset. Hooked rims built for generous tire widths and proven hub technology promise strong performance at a modest price. The question is whether such an understated package can hold its own in our big gravel wheel group test.This wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.Vision SC 45 i30 | 1,605 g | 1,249 | Manufacturer websiteBest known on the road for their Metron aero wheels, Vision are part of component manufacturer FSA. In September 2026, they added the affordable SC 45 i30 gravel racing wheelset to their range, and it already has a strong result to its name: Marius Rren rode it to fourth place over 200 km at The Rift in Iceland.The design clearly prioritizes width over low weight, targeting riders who favor particularly wide tires. On paper, the relatively shallow rims and conventional steel spokes make the Vision look rather unremarkable. Out on the course, however, it reveals an entirely different character.Budget Beater! The Vision Carbon Gravel Wheelset in DetailThe SC 45 i30 makes Visions priorities clear on the scales, weighing in at 1,605 g and ranking among the heaviest wheelset in this test. Both rims are 45 mm deep, which makes them shallower than most competitors. However, with a 30 mm internal width and 38.5 mm external width, theyre exceptionally wide.Vision have designed the rims for tires of at least 50 mm, while ETRTO compatibility stretches from 47 all the way to 71 mm! Our 45 mm Continental Competition control tire measures 46.5 mm at the front and 46.6 mm at the rear, retaining a nicely rounded profile and behaving exactly as youd expect. The tyre is secured by a conventional hooked rim.Keeping it shallow At 45 mm deep front and rear, the Vision rims are shallower than almost every other wheelset in this test field.Room for more The wide rims are designed to deliver their full potential with tires measuring at least 50 mm.Hooked The conventional hooked rims offer plenty of freedom when choosing tires.Vision forgo carbon spokes in favour of bladed steel, using 21 at the front and 24 at the rear in a 2:1 lacing pattern. Wed have liked to see carbon spokes here, but the V-200 hubs are much more convincing. They feature high flanges, a three-pawl freehub mechanism and six sealed cartridge bearings. The freehub produces a satisfying, relatively subdued sound.Visually, the Vision is clean and understated, with the distinctive high-flange hubs providing a welcome highlight. At 1,249, its among the cheapest wheelsets in this test, making carbon rims accessible for comparatively little money.High flange The V-200 hubs are the visual highlight, producing a rich, satisfying sound without being particularly loud.Steel in the wind Bladed steel spokes in a 2:1 lacing pattern are intended to improve aerodynamic performance.Understated Performance The Vision SC 45 i30 on TestThe Vision quickly proves that it feels considerably lighter than its weight suggests. It accelerates surprisingly easily, is genuinely fun to ride and climbs better than expected. Stiffness is good, although it sits in the middle of the test field. That actually suits the Visions uncomplicated, well-rounded character rather nicely.Comfort is where the Vision shines. Its steel spokes and relatively shallow rims deliver noticeable compliance, soaking up impacts and smoothing out rough surfaces, although the ENVE goes further, with rims that spread the tire significantly wider. That comparison comes with a caveat: Vision designed these rims for tires of 50 mm and up, while we tested every wheelset on the same nominally 45 mm tires. Through corners, the Vision steers predictably and directly, and on the trail, its a lot of fun. Nothing it does is spectacular, but almost everything it does is good.Underrated? The Vision SC 45 i30 in the Wind TunnelThe Vision certainly delivers on fun and comfort, but how efficient are its relatively shallow rims in the wind? Subjectively, not particularly. Themodest rim depth means it feel especially aerodynamic, and compared with the competition, the Vision seems to offer little in terms of aerodynamic efficiency. The wind tunnel, however, tells a very different story. With a rider on board at 36 km/h, the Vision requires 2.3 W less power than our reference wheelset, the DT Swiss GRC 1100. That equates to a 16.5-second advantage over 40 km. The tire may help explain the result. We always measure the wheel and tire as a complete system, and at 46.5 mm wide, the Continental Competition has a comparatively compact profile on the Vision rims.Conclusions about the Vision SC 45 i30Unremarkable on paper, entertaining on the course: the Vision SC 45 i30 is the surprise package of our test. It accelerates more freely than its weight would suggest, climbs well, rides comfortably and gives nothing away in the wind tunnel. Weight is its main weakness, and the rims need tires of 50 mm or wider to show their best. But for wide-tire riders who prioritize fun, the Vision delivers far more than its 1,249 price tag implies.TopsSurprisingly lively accelerationExcellent comfortPredictable, enjoyable handlingExcellent value for moneyFlopsHigh weightFull rim potential requires wider tyresMore information at visiontechusa.com.The Test FieldThis wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.All wheels on test: CADEX Max GXR | DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro | Fulcrum Sharq GR | HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD | Leeze CH 60 PRO GX | Light Bicycle AG48 | NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | OQUO RP50LTD CS | Reserve 48|53 GR | Roval Terra Aero CLX | Vision SC 45 i30 | Zipp 303 XPLR SWDer Beitrag Vision SC 45 i30 Gravel Wheelset on Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.