Campagnolo Hyperon Review: A 37mm Carbon Wheelset Built for All-Round Road Riding

Introduction

The Campagnolo Hyperon name returns to the road wheelset market after its original run in the early 2000s, when factory-built carbon wheels were still rare and most wheels were assembled from separate hubs, spokes and rims. The new Hyperon sits at 37mm deep, deliberately placed between low-profile climbing rims and the 45mm to 60mm deep-section wheels that dominate performance riding.

That positioning is the entire pitch: a single wheelset that climbs well, holds speed reasonably and stays composed when the wind picks up. Whether that middle ground actually works comes down to how the wheels behave in the conditions most riders meet week to week.

Who This Wheelset Is For

This is a wheelset for riders who would rather own one good set of wheels than two specialist sets. The 37mm rim depth is light enough to feel responsive on long climbs and deep enough to avoid the twitchy, unsettled feel of a very shallow rim on fast descents and exposed roads.

It also suits riders on mixed terrain and in changeable weather. The combination of a lively climbing feel, reasonable flat-road efficiency and stable handling in gusty conditions means the wheels rarely feel like the wrong choice for the day, which is a genuine benefit for anyone who does not want to swap wheelsets before every ride.

Climbing Feel and Stiffness

The Hyperon feels nimble and agile on climbs, and especially lively when standing out of the saddle. It reacts more quickly than a heavier deep-section wheelset, which makes rolling terrain and repeated short climbs feel noticeably less laboured.

There is plenty of stiffness on tap when sprinting and when powering out of hairpin bends to hold speed on steep gradients. The wheels have a taut, connected feel through the bike, and they made a stiff road frame feel more lively without adding harshness.

Crosswind Stability and Ride Comfort

On exposed coastal roads and in gusty, changeable wind, the bike stayed calm and predictable. The handlebars were not pushed offline and the front end did not feel unsettled, which is one of the clearest advantages of a mid-depth rim over a deeper one.

Comfort and durability on rough road surfaces also held up well with tubeless tyres fitted. Over two months of riding on local roads and a trip to Girona, Spain, the wheels stayed true and needed no spoke adjustments, so they behave like a set that is easy to live with rather than one that demands constant attention.

Build Quality, Finish and Durability

The glossy finish is a standout. Rather than coming from lacquer, which adds weight, it is produced by the carbon layup process itself, using a single joint construction intended to increase stiffness and improve durability by removing potential weak points in the wheel.

The rims are laced with flat bladed spokes and external nipples, which keeps truing and maintenance straightforward. The spokes run into the brand’s own aluminium hub shells with stainless steel bearings. The overall impression is of careful assembly and a premium, classy look that suits a high-end road frame.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Weight is the first thing to weigh up. The new Hyperon comes in at 1,340g on the scales, heavier than the original early 2000s version at around 1,250g. Lighter carbon wheelsets are available, so riders chasing the lowest possible number should look closely at what they give up in return.

The 21mm internal rim width is narrower than the current trend towards wider rims. Wider is not automatically better for every rider or every tyre choice, but it is worth checking against the tyres you plan to run. The rims are hooked rather than hookless, which many riders prefer because they stay compatible with both clincher tyres running inner tubes and tubeless setups.

Rim Width, Weight and Aerodynamic Trade-offs

Tyre fit worked well in practice: 28mm tyres seated cleanly and performed as expected on the hooked rim profile. The wheelset is also straightforward to set up tubeless, which matters for riders who want lower pressures and fewer punctures on rough roads.

Aerodynamically, the 37mm rim sits in the middle of the market. It is not the fastest option up the steepest gradients, and it does not deliver the outright speed advantage of a deep-section wheel in flat sprints. Deeper wheelsets of similar weight offer more aerodynamic benefit, and wheelsets under 1,200g exist if minimum weight matters more to you than all-round balance.

Price and Value

These are not budget wheels. Carbon wheelsets are far more common and far more affordable than they were two decades ago, and cheaper options are widely available, so the Hyperon has to justify itself on more than rim depth alone.

The finish, the quality of the construction, the attention to detail and the fact that the wheels are made in Europe all contribute to the price, as does the heritage of the company behind them. Value is subjective, and for riders who want to spend more than the cheapest carbon wheelset in exchange for a higher grade of finish and build, that context is part of the decision.

Buying Advice

If you want one wheelset that climbs well, feels lively under power, stays stable in crosswinds and looks the part, the Hyperon delivers on that brief. It is a simple, elegant, fit-and-forget set that will not hold you back on most roads you ride.

If your priority is minimum weight or maximum aerodynamic efficiency, other options will serve you better, and it is worth being honest about which of those matters most before buying. For riders who value all-round performance and a premium finish over a single headline number, the Hyperon makes a convincing case, and it pairs especially well with 28mm tubeless tyres run at moderate pressure.

Conclusion

The Campagnolo Hyperon is a well-executed all-rounder. Its 37mm rim depth, lively climbing feel, stiffness under power and calm behaviour in gusty crosswinds add up to a wheelset that works in most situations without asking much of the rider.

The trade-offs are real but specific: it is not the lightest option available, it is not the most aerodynamic, and the 21mm internal rim width sits behind the current wider-is-better trend. Riders who need the lowest weight or the deepest aero advantage should look elsewhere. Riders who want a high-quality, versatile wheelset with a superb finish and no obvious weak point will find this one easy to recommend.