If you ride a bike, you're a cyclist

Don't sell yourself short. But I know what you mean.
For 'short' leisure rides, you should be fine with them

Based on my experiences I'd just really dread doing a 4h marathon or stage race on them. It might also be that these chinese ones aren't quite as bad, although I think the ride characteristics are inherent to the construction. Also, just for the record, I have seen other riders riding those wheels in competition, so there's that.
But for longer gravel rides, you'd probably be happier with some elite wheels offering more compliance, yes

Don't completely discount your old bike though, at least I've seen it written numerous times how comfortable steel frames are supposed to be - although I don't think anywhere near what today's wider tyres offer.
Also, please be careful with the wheels since they are hookless - too high a pressure and you'll blow the tyres off the rim which can be quite catastrophic (if only for your ears, if it happens in the garage). For MTB tubeless that is mostly run below 1,5 bars, that's not issue, but for narrower road tyres it can be.
I haven't dealt with Ican myself, maybe someone else can chime that has. But I'd probably try to just contact them via their homepage.