ICAN has just released Alu27, an aluminum wheel with outstanding cost performance. It's a challenging model that achieves a class-above performance at an entry-level price. While carbon wheels seem to be getting a lot of attention these days, ICAN believes that aluminum wheels are still a very valuable and realistic option. We hope you'll bear with us for a bit as we discuss aluminum wheels.

 Road Bike Wheels: A Look at Price Ranges

Let's examine the current prices of road bike wheels. The price range is astonishingly wide, from as low as 10,000 yen to over 500,000 yen.

• Around 10,000-20,000 yen: This price range is for entry-class aluminum models. They come with entry-grade complete bikes and typically weigh just under 2kg for a pair, making them heavy.
• Around 40,000-100,000 yen: This range offers mid-class aluminum wheels. They weigh around 6kg and are suitable for use as training wheels for professional racers. ICAN also offers carbon wheels in this price range, which are gaining attention.
• Around 100,000-150,000 yen: The highest level of aluminum wheels can be found in this price range. Also, carbon wheels become available starting from around 150,000 yen. The weight boundary between aluminum and carbon seems to be around 1400g.
• Over 150,000-200,000 yen: Some can exceed 500,000 yen, but the more expensive they are, the more race-oriented they become. Excellent racing wheels are incredibly specialized, designed to have just enough durability for one race and then focused solely on performance. From the perspective of an ordinary person, you'll understand that the idea that "more expensive means better" is not always accurate.

What we can gather from this is that, generally, around 150,000 yen is the dividing line between aluminum and carbon, and mid-range aluminum wheels priced between 40,000 and 100,000 yen are popular.

Advantages of Road Bike Aluminum Wheels

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・ Affordable Price

They are inexpensive to manufacture and can be acquired at a relatively reasonable price. This is a significant advantage of aluminum wheels.

・ High Practicality

Compared to carbon wheels, not having to be overly careful with them is another major advantage. Of course, unlike aluminum wheels on utility bikes, they are lightweight and delicate, so appropriate handling is still necessary.

・ Easy to Achieve Rigidity

Since the material has inherent strength, it's easy to create highly rigid wheels without excessive effort. High rigidity offers various benefits, such as efficient power transfer and increased stability in corners.

・ Easy to Achieve Precision

Aluminum material is extruded into a linear shape and then processed into a circular form. This means there is less material irregularity, making it easy to maintain a high level of quality in terms of precision and weight balance.

Disadvantages of Road Bike Aluminum Wheels

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・ Heavier than carbon

Compared to carbon, the weight disadvantage is undeniable. However, high-end aluminum wheels have achieved significant weight reduction comparable to carbon.

・ Difficult to achieve the same flex as carbon

This could be considered a trade-off with high rigidity. For cyclists who appreciate the flex of carbon as a "flavor," this might be a surprisingly important factor.

What are aluminum wheels suitable for?

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Aero wheels with high rim height cannot be made from aluminum because it would lead to a significant increase in weight. The standard height for aluminum rims is typically around 20-30mm. For this reason, manufacturers who prioritize both aluminum's rigidity and aerodynamics sometimes employ hybrid designs combining carbon and aluminum.

As such, the rigidity of aluminum is highly valued, to the extent that even professional racers occasionally use aluminum in actual competitions. The crisp feeling of direct power transfer to the ground is something truly unique. As this example shows, aluminum wheels are still very much in use. As mentioned in the advantages, their ease of handling is a major draw. While there isn't a significant difference in durability between aluminum and carbon, carbon requires more care regarding UV exposure and heat. Of course, that "care" itself is part of the fun and depth of cycling as a hobby.

The conclusion here is that aluminum is excellent for practicality, delivers satisfactory performance, and is perfectly suitable for everyday touring.

The Amazing Features of ICAN's Alu27

　　　　　ICAN Aluminum Wheels Alu27 　See Details

At ICAN, our main product focus is on carbon wheels. Our price range, from 40,000 to 130,000 yen, impresses both the industry and users alike. At the same time, we have been researching aluminum materials to meet user expectations in the 10,000 to 30,000 yen price range. We are thrilled to finally release the Alu27 aluminum wheel.

Of course, coming from ICAN, it's not just any aluminum wheel. It boasts the following features:

• An affordable price of 21,435 yen (including tax).
• A weight of 1660.4g for two wheels, comparable to mid-range wheels.
• Compatible with both clincher and tubeless tires.
• The brake track of the rim is finished in black with an anodized treatment.
• Achieves ICAN quality in terms of precision, strength, and texture.

Further details can be found on ICAN's product page.

Click here for product details →ICAN Aluminum Wheels

Read the article introducing aluminum wheels here →here

　　　　　ICAN Aluminum Wheels Alu27 　See Details

The Alu27's rear derailleur is compatible with 9 to 11 speeds, making it suitable not only for entry-class road bikes but also for cross bikes. If you are capable of changing tires and tubes, you can install them yourself. For an entry-class bike, you can achieve a weight reduction equivalent to 1.5 smartphones. This offers benefits such as a noticeably smoother start and feeling 1 to 2 gears lighter on climbs. And the sleek all-black appearance will further enhance the impression of your beloved bike.

Summary

What do you think? We hope you've recognized the unique merits of aluminum wheels. Within our company, there's a growing excitement about the renewed appreciation for aluminum wheels following the launch of Alu27. Some staff members have already tried them on their road bikes, while others have installed them on their daily-use cross bikes. After all, the price is so accessible.

We would be thrilled if this article conveyed even a little of that happy feeling. Thank you for reading to the end.

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