When you're building a dream bike, every component matters. It's not just about brand name or performance specs - other things, like the visual appeal of the carbon, the angle of the stem, the logos on the crank...or getting that just right matte finish...matter. In other words the overall aesthetic of the component has to pair well with your frame and paint color of choice. And for us, nobody's doing it better than Vision.
Let's talk about the Vision 5D EVO handlebar first.
Big picture: it’s a one-piece bar/stem that cleans up your front end with fully internal ACR routing, a compact 80mm reach/125mm drop, and a -6° stem that keeps the position racy without slamming the stack into the floor. Vision trimmed it down to around 320g in common sizes. It looks fast, it feels fast, and it turns cable spaghetti into a single carbon wing.
The 5D Evo doesn’t stop at just looking good. It's actually set up to be quite comfortable. The 10° forward angle opens your chest and puts your wrists in a neutral spot on the tops, so long tempo efforts feel less cramped, and sprinting from the drops is planted thanks to the subtle 5mm outward offset. Stiffness is race-bike stiff (no vague steering when you’re wrenching the bars), but the layup does a nice job muting high-frequency buzz so you’re not shaking fillings loose on your local chip seal. If you live on the hoods, you’ll notice how easy it is to transition down and back up again—quick, confidence-building, and very much “set it and forget it."
The caveats are what you’d expect from any fully integrated cockpit: installation is more involved, and you’ll want the right ACR headset bits for a seamless fit. The good news is Vision broadened compatibility and stack options with the Evo update, so getting that tidy, fully-hidden setup on modern frames is a lot more realistic than it used to be. If you want maximum front-end clean, real aero gains, and ergonomics that make long days feel shorter, this bar belongs on the shortlist.
But what about the wheels?
I put a set of the new Metron 45 RS's on my Scylon. TLDR: it's best all-around road wheelset I've ever owned, and I've had them ALL. Imagine the weight and stiffness of a tubular Lightweight or Cosmic Carbone Ultimate with the easiest-install tubeless rims you've ever used, and a ride quality that feels like a traditional spoked wheel.
For the all new 2025 Metron 45 RS, Vision finally went all-in: carbon rims, carbon aero spokes, and the new V-1000 PRS hub with a 72T helical ratchet and 5° engagement. The rims are hooked, tubeless-ready, sit at 45mm deep with a 23mm internal (about 31.1mm external on the 45), and the whole set tips the scales around 1,290g. They’re disc-only (Centerlock), run 21f/24r in a 2:1 pattern, and roll on ceramic bearings. MSRP lands at about $2,899 - which is about a GRAND less than comparable wheels with carbon spokes and ceramic bearings.
On the road, the RS 45 hits that sweet spot: light enough to climb, deep enough to slice, and plenty stable when quartering into a breeze. The carbon spokes give it that snappy, jump-to-speed feel without beating you up, and the PRS hub engagement makes punchy efforts feel immediate. Vision optimizes the aero for 28–32mm tires, and with the hooked bead you’ve got broad tire compatibility; the ~31mm external mates nicely with today’s 28–30s for a clean profile. One note: the freehub? LOUD. Loudest I've ever heard —some will love it, some won’t but in a big group where everyone else's wheels are buzzing - it recedes into the cacaphony.
Caveats? Two practical ones. First, internal nipples—true-able, yes, but adjustments happen from inside the rim bed, so plan your workshop time accordingly. Second, while the hub is tool-free to service, it’s still a proprietary ecosystem, so keep the docs handy. None of that is a deal-breaker. If you live on 30mm tubeless, want a legit sub-1300g mid-depth wheel with real engagement and modern aero, the Metron RS 45 is The Way. Or if you prefer deeper wheels, the Metron 60 RS is ready and waiting.
Translation: on paper, this is Vision’s most modern “one-set-does-everything” aero wheel and if you're building a Scylon - this one should be at the top of your list. But what if you don't have budget for the RS? We've got you covered with the SL version.
The Metron 45 SL is around $800 less, and delivers a hooked, tubeless-ready, disc-only all-rounder with a 45mm rim depth, 21mm internal, and ~31.1mm external that plays perfectly with modern 28–30mm tires. It rolls on Vision’s PRS ratchet hubs (72T / 5° pickup), uses a 2:1 aero-bladed spoke pattern (21F/24R), and weighs right around 1400g. MSRP sits near the $2.1k mark, which undercuts a lot of “halo” options without giving up much on paper.
On the road, the 45 SL hits that sweet spot: quick to spin up, planted in crosswinds, and noticeably “free” on fast, shallow descents. The PRS hub’s engagement gives punchy efforts that snap you back onto a wheel, and the rim shape plus width keep a 28c measuring just right for aero (hello, 105% rule). Translation: it feels fast without the nervous, skittery vibe you sometimes get from deeper hoops. If you’re coming from budget carbon, you’ll feel the stiffness-to-comfort balance right away—no vague steering, no dental work on chipseal.
But let's not forget our best seller: the value-minded sibling to Metron, the Vision SC 45 SL. Built as a modern all-rounder—45mm deep, hooked & tubeless-ready, 23mm internal (great with 28–32s), and disc-only/Centerlock. Spoke layout is the practical 2:1 pattern (21F/24R) on Vision’s PRS (V-600) ratchet hubs with a 54-tooth drive for quick pickup. Claimed/retail weights land around ~1540–1590g/pair, which is respectable at this depth and price.
On the road, the SC 45 SL does exactly what you want a mid-depth wheel to do: it spins up cleanly, holds speed on rolling terrain, and stays calm when a crosswind hits you at an angle. The wider 23mm internal shapes a 28–30c tire into that aero-friendly, sure-footed profile—more grip in corners, less twitch on chip seal. Engagement from the PRS hub feels immediate enough for punchy efforts and small gaps, and the overall ride sits in the “stiff but not dental work” zone—no vague steering, no wooden chatter. If you’re coming from older 19–21mm internals, you’ll notice the extra stability right away.
Caveats are practical: these use traditional metal aero spokes (easier service, a touch less snap than carbon spokes), and some builds list internal nipples, so plan your truing sessions accordingly. Otherwise, it’s an easy wheel to recommend if you want a hooked rim for broad tire compatibility, modern width, and a hub that doesn’t sleep on engagement—without the Metron price tag. If you live on 28–30mm tubeless and want one set to do most things well, the SC 45 SL is a killer choice.
