Vision Team 35 Wheelset: A Year of Real Riding

You want my honest opinion on the Vision Team 35 wheels? Pull up a chair, because I have been riding these things through every condition imaginable for the past twelve months, and I have thoughts.

First off, let me tell you how I ended up with these in the first place. My old Mavic wheels finally gave up the ghost after five years of abuse – spokes kept breaking, the freehub was making sounds that no amount of grease could fix. I needed a replacement, but I was not about to drop two grand on a wheelset when I could barely justify spending half that.

What Made Me Take the Plunge

Here is the thing that got me interested: my mechanic mentioned that Vision has been quietly building solid mid-range wheels for years. They are not flashy, they do not sponsor all the big teams, but the engineering is sound. He actually runs Team 35s on his personal bike, which says something.

So I ordered a set. And then I immediately second-guessed myself for about two weeks until they arrived.

Unboxing Day Thoughts

When I pulled them out of the box, a few things struck me right away. The finish was cleaner than I expected – no weird decal issues, smooth welds, hubs that looked properly machined. I spun each wheel in my hands and listened. Smooth. Quiet. Nothing rattling around.

I threw them on my scale (yes, I am one of those cyclists) and got 1,615 grams. Vision claims 1,590g, so we are talking about 25 grams over spec. Honestly? I have seen worse from more expensive brands.

The First Hundred Miles

Those initial rides were… interesting. The wheels felt different from my old Mavics in ways I did not expect. They accelerated faster but felt slightly less responsive in corners initially. It took about a week before everything clicked and I stopped noticing the transition.

What I did notice immediately was the aerodynamic benefit. On my regular flat loop – about 20 miles of exposed road – my average speed bumped up noticeably. We are talking maybe 0.5 to 1 mph faster at the same effort level. That is real, measurable, repeatable.

Where These Wheels Shine

After a full year, I can tell you exactly where the Team 35s perform best:

• Sustained efforts on flat roads. They slice through the wind better than any sub- wheel I have tried. The 35mm rim depth hits a sweet spot where you get aero benefits without crazy crosswind sensitivity.
• Long group rides. These wheels are comfortable over distance. Something about the compliance – maybe the spoke pattern, maybe the rim construction – soaks up road buzz better than expected.
• All-weather reliability. I have ridden through rain, cold, and even some light gravel detours. The braking stays consistent, the bearings keep spinning, nothing has come loose or worn out.

Where They Fall Short

No wheel is perfect, and I would be lying if I said these were flawless:

Climbing is acceptable but not exceptional. At around 1,615 grams, these are not mountain goats. If you live somewhere with serious climbs, you might feel the weight. I certainly notice it on our local test hill – about a 12% grade – compared to lighter wheels.

The freehub engagement is mediocre. Maybe 4 or 5 degrees of play before it catches. For normal riding, fine. For technical situations where you need instant engagement? Could be better.

Tire mounting requires patience. The bead seat is tight. Really tight. I have busted knuckles and bruised thumbs getting tires on and off. Bring good levers and some patience.

Long Term Durability Check

Here is what really matters after a year of riding: these wheels have held up remarkably well. I have put roughly 4,500 miles on them at this point. The bearings are still smooth with no play. I have had to true the rear wheel twice – once after hitting a massive pothole, once after a minor curb incident that was entirely my fault.

The spoke tension has stayed consistent. The rim brake tracks still work well despite being aluminum. The decals are starting to fade slightly, but the structure is solid.

Who Should Buy These

Look, if you are a weight weenie who obsesses over every gram, these are not for you. If you race at a high level and need every possible advantage, spend more money.

But if you are like me – someone who rides regularly, does the occasional group ride or local event, and wants reliable performance without breaking the bank – the Vision Team 35s are genuinely worth considering.

They are not exciting. They will not make you faster through some magic. But they work, they last, and they deliver solid value. Sometimes that is exactly what you need.

Got questions about these wheels? I have been riding them long enough to answer pretty much anything. Drop a comment below.