Transforming a Budget Gravel Bike: EBD’s Review Superteam Gravel Wheelsets

In his YouTube video titled How I Made a Cheap Gravel Bike Feel Expensive, the creator behind Everything’s Been Done (EBD) sets out to answer a simple question: Can a single upgrade—the wheels—turn a completely average gravel bike into something that feels genuinely premium?

The Bike: A Solid But Uninspiring Starting Point
The test mule is a $1,500 Scott Speedster Gravel 40. It’s the epitome of entry-level reliability: alloy frame and fork, Shimano Tiagra 2x10 mechanical shifting, and Syncros XR25 alloy wheels shod with wire-bead Schwab G1 Bite tires. It does the job—it shifts, it stops, it rolls over rough ground—but it’s anything but exciting. EBD humorously likens it to "if the Soviet Union designed a bike and called it freedom."

Riding it stock, he describes it as steady but uninspired on climbs, predictable but dull in corners, and weighed down by its wheels when accelerating. The entire setup weighs approximately 25 pounds (11.3 kg), leaving room for improvement.

The Upgrade: Superteam Gravel Classic PRO G31-38 DISC
Enter the Superteam Gravel Classic PRO wheels. These carbon wheels retail for just $600, a fraction of the price of many competitors that cost $2,000–$3,000. Despite the affordability, they use quality materials and design:
(1) Toray T800 carbon fiber construction
(2) Pillar Wing 21 aero spokes
(3) 36T ratchet rear hub for faster engagement

The wheels are tubeless-compatible (but not fully tubeless-ready out of the box—you'll need to swap the rim tape if you want to go tubeless). For the test, EBD runs them with the same tires and tubes to keep the comparison fair.

The Test Ride: A Noticeable Transformation
After the swap, the bike is immediately lighter. While the exact weight savings aren't specified down to the ounce in the video, it’s clear it drops significantly enough to change the ride feel.

On the road and trail, the difference is unmistakable:
(1) Climbing feels more lively and responsive.
(2) Acceleration is snappier, no longer held back by the heavy stock wheels.
(3) Comfort improves thanks to the carbon’s vibration-damping qualities.

As EBD puts it, these wheels turn the Speedster from something purely utilitarian into a bike that feels fun, more spirited, and closer to a "pro" experience without the pro-level price.

He likens the effect to drinking room-temperature tap water your whole life until someone hands you chilled sparkling mineral water—you don’t know what you’re missing until you try it.

Honest Limitations and Upgrade Advice
EBD is transparent about its limitations. These are not “the greatest wheels in the world.” But at $600, they’re an exceptional value with no weird proprietary parts and good, straightforward serviceability.

He also suggests two simple, affordable further upgrades that would maximize their benefit:
(1) Tubeless rim tape: Makes it fully tubeless-ready, and improves flat protection and comfort at lower pressures.
(2) Non-wire-bead, tubeless-ready tires: These would lighten the wheels even further and transform ride quality even more.
He notes the decision to leave the stock tires and tubes for this test was deliberate, to keep the comparison to the original setup fair.

Final Verdict: A Big Impact for a Small Price
EBD closes with a clear message: Wheels are the single most transformative upgrade you can make to an entry-level or mid-level bike. And with the Superteam Gravel Classic PRO wheels, that upgrade is more accessible than ever.

He praises Superteam’s approach: they sent him wheels with no demands about what to say. He already owned another pair and knew they were solid, and many viewers had also vouched for their durability in previous comments.
In a world where high-end wheels often cost many times the price of an entire budget gravel bike, Superteam’s offering delivers a real, tangible performance improvement for a fraction of the cost, making it a compelling option for riders looking to elevate their ride without breaking the bank.