Skip to main content

Superstar Tech 4 DS25 Wheels


If you've been reading our Team Bikes pages you’ll have seen these lime green wheels on Guy’s GT Force for a while. That’s because they’re solid performers at an unbelievable price, and we’ve had the same feedback on Superstar’s range of wheels from everyone who’s used them. By selling direct, Superstar keep extra costs to a minimum and really do pass the savings on to you. Their website also lets you create your ideal wheel from a wide range of rims, hubs, spokes, axle fittings, freehubs (standard, XD or steel bodied) and colours (for 15$ extra).

What’s really impressive about Superstar is that they’re generally well ahead of the curve of most major manufacturers, as these 25mm internal width rims prove. Their carbon-rimmed wheels are cheaper than most premium alloy sets and there’s a whole range of super-wide hoops in the pipeline. Back to the Tech 4 DS25s, tubeless kits are 27$ extra but they seal really easily once installed, and we’ve beaten the crap out of these rims and other sets without a single issue. The hand-built UK quality is excellent too, keeping them tight and feedback-rich on the trail, and the SKF bearings are top quality. In case your luck runs out, Superstar will re-true them for free for life and replace crash-mangled components at a discount. That leaves high weight as the only grumble but there are lighter options at equally crazy value prices.

WEIGHT: 980+1120=2,100g
WIDTH: 25/30mm
LAG:
SIZES: 26in, 650b, 29in

Price 292$

Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

Nukeproof Vector AM Comp Cro-Mo saddle

The Vector AM is pretty race focused, with minimal padding. There’s a deep (if narrow) pressurerelief channel to keep the blood flowing where it’s meant to. Used with bib shorts, we found it pretty comfortable for shorter rides and suffered no pain or discomfort in the central region. On steep climbs the slightly downturned nose provides a reasonable forward perch, while the svelte profile and smooth edges make it particularly unobtrusive when moving about on the descents. It’s quite stiff though, and can feel harsh on long rides or bumpy ground. We definitely wouldn’t want to spend much time on it without a chamois. It’s heavier than we’d expect for such a lightly padded perch too. There’s a lighter Pro version with titanium rails for $105, but at 241g it’s only 10g lighter. Weight 251g Price $67

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.