Tested: Superteam Classic Series 38mm Carbon Wheels

They say upgrading your wheelset is the number one way to improve your bike’s performance – and whoever first came up with that gem of advice was absolutely spot on.

Having recently picked up a high-end second-hand Colnago from a mate – a classic, nine-year-young C60 for less than a tenth of the price of today’s top model – I was thrilled. But the bike had one significant flaw: the wheels. Sure, they were Zipps, but alloy, and they felt like they were holding the otherwise exceptional handmade Italian steed back.

So began the search for worthy replacements: carbon hoops to bring out the best in the bike. The list of requirements wasn’t long – I was after wheels that were:

Reliable, durable, and long-lasting
Stylish enough to complement the Italian lugged carbon frame
Rim-brake compatible with a quality brake track
Backed by a decent warranty and had positive online reviews
Weighing 1500g or less
And, cozzie lives and all, were reasonably priced

Simple, right?

Well, with hundreds (if not thousands) of manufacturers and resellers around the world, the options were overwhelming. But after spotting Superteam wheels on a friend’s bike and scrolling past them a few times on Instagram, I finally looked a little closer at this oddly named Chinese brand.

To be honest, the name ‘Superteam’ initially put me off. Like many Chinese cycling brands, the name is a mash-up of two words – often a Chinglish blend – and rarely do they roll off the tongue. Think Magicshine, Wheeltop, Speedlong, Futureeye … and yes, Superteam.

But superficialities aside, an increasing number of top-quality frames, wheels, and components now come from China and the bike industry is booming as you can see in our 2025 China Cycle expo article here. With brands like XDS racing in the WorldTour, and companies like Superteam quietly manufacturing wheels for major global brands, the China wave is well and truly building.

Putting aside the naming quirks, Superteam’s Classic Series 38mm carbon wheels caught my eye. They ticked every box, had over 100 positive user reviews, and scored well in several independent magazine tests.

Ordering and Arrival

I pulled the lever and ordered the wheels. About a week later, I received a courteous update: “Your wheels have been built and will soon be shipped.” A tracking number followed shortly after, and within five days, they’d landed in Sydney and were delivered to a nearby bikeshop.

Later that day, the tired Zipps came off. Tyres removed, cassette cleaned, new wheels fitted, rubber reinflated, and the beloved Colnago wiped down, polished, and rearing to go.

That First Ride

A couple of days later, I was rolling along West Head Road north of Sydney. The first thing I noticed was the ride feel – the smoothness and synergies between the wheels and the C-60 that – unlike other bikes – glides rather than rides.

These Superteams roll like many better-known wheels I’ve ridden and reviewed over the years. While they’re only about 200 grams lighter than the old alloy Zipps they replaced, the mid-range performance, responsiveness, and road feel were immediately improved.

Acceleration off the mark was noticeably sharper. They held speed better, felt more connected, and finally did justice to the 2016 Grand Tour-level frameset they were paired with.

A brisk 15–20 knot westerly blew across the road that day – hardly ideal, but a great test for how the wheels handle crosswinds. The verdict? Surprisingly well. The wind seemed to wash over them cleanly, without the twitchiness deeper rims often bring. The 38mm depth felt like the perfect sweet spot: stable, predictable, and composed.

At 25mm external width and featuring a flat-sided rim profile, these wheels look great and feel fast. Paired with the lugged carbon Colnago C60, they complete the bike’s aggressive, no-nonsense, performance-focused stance.

The Nitty Gritty

Crafted from T800 carbon fibre, the Classic Series wheels feature flat aero steel spokes, ceramic bearings, and lightweight alloy quick-release skewers. The hooked rims are 38mm deep, 18mm wide internally, and 25mm externally. The complete set weighs in at 1500g and carries a rider weight limit of 120kg.

They’re tubeless-compatible and arrived taped and ready to go for anyone looking to ditch the tubes.

Build quality is impressive, and attention to detail is high. It’s clear Superteam has years of experience building wheels – many of which, it turns out, are sold under other brands as OEM products.

What’s in the Box?

The wheels were securely packaged for the airfreight journey from China to Sydney. Inside the box was a smaller bundle containing carbon rim brake pads, valve extenders, alloy QR axles, spare spokes, and a user booklet.

Performance and Value

The standout features for me are comfort, crosswind stability, and overall ride quality – especially considering the very reasonable price. At $711 for steel bearings and $789 for the ceramic version (at time of purchase), the value is remarkable.

The freewheel is loud and a higher pitch, but I find that a plus – particularly when rolling through busy Sydney shared paths as I did on the second test ride.

Braking

The rim vs disc debate will rage on, but for dry-weather rim braking, these wheels surprised me. Paired with the supplied carbon pads and Shimano Ultegra 8000 callipers, stopping power was excellent – probably about 85% of what you’d get from discs.

More importantly, they felt controlled. I had a real-world emergency stop moment when a spirited (and slightly silly) pug darted across my path mid-ride. I stopped quickly and safely, without locking up or going over the bars. The braking surface even sounds great – almost supersonic while being crisp, and confidence-inspiring.

I’ve not yet used them in wet weather and will update this review when I do. Until then it’s happy days and blue sky riding.

Availability and Support

Superteam wheels are available via their official website and a handful of online retailers. Customer support is responsive via email or WhatsApp, and the wheels come with a generous warranty: a 30-day replacement policy (including return shipping) for manufacturing issues, and a three-year standard warranty.

Summing Up

Superteam delivers carbon wheelsets that offer serious performance at an accessible price. The Classic Series 38mm rims have transformed my Colnago – they’re quick, composed, and a joy to ride. This review will be updated after 6-months of use – stay tuned for the next instalment.