As you research rim brake wheels and disc brake wheels, you'll notice several differences.

A typical example is the spoke pattern.

Rim brake wheels often have radial spokes on the front and various patterns on the rear, with one side often being radially laced and the other cross-laced.

　On the other hand, disc brake wheels have more spokes than rim type wheels, and many have cross-lacing on both the front and rear.

　The rim shape also differs.

Disc brake wheels naturally lack a braking surface and are finished in a wider type. While the mainstream for rim brake wheels is C17, it's not uncommon for disc brake wheels to extend to C19, and some even to C21.

　Let's take a closer look at these designs.

Why have wider rims become popular?

As I mentioned earlier, the mainstream for rim brake wheels is C17, while C19 and C21 are mainstays for disc brake wheels. Why is that? The biggest reason is the move to tubeless and wider tires. Disc brake wheels don't require a braking surface, allowing for lighter rims. By widening them, tires can go from 25C to 28C, which significantly enhances safety and comfort for downhill riding and overall ride quality.

Why do spoke patterns change?

With disc brake wheels, a twisting force is applied to the hub. The pattern is changed to reinforce against this. Rim brakes use a brake caliper to stop the wheel, while disc brakes stop the wheel by twisting the spokes from the hub. Therefore, the number of spokes is increased, and a cross-laced pattern is used to create a structure resistant to twisting.

Is there a difference in rotor mounting?

There are two types of rotor mounts: Center Lock and International Standard. International Standard uses six bolts for attachment, while Center Lock uses a center lockring. For road bikes, over 90% now use Center Lock. Since the hub structure doesn't change significantly, both types have nearly the same weight. However, International Standard is said to be less prone to loosening. While Center Lock requires regular checks to ensure the rotor isn't loose, the tightening process is a single step, making it easier to work with.

Is there a difference in rotor diameter?

The mainstream rotor diameters for road bikes are 140mm and 160mm. 160mm tends to offer higher braking power. Various combinations are used, such as 160mm front and rear, 140mm front and rear, or 160mm front and 140mm rear. Racers and professional teams often use 140mm front and rear, while gravel bikes tend to use 160mm front and rear combinations.

Disc brake wheels don't require a braking surface, allowing for lighter rims. However, the hub where the rotor attaches becomes heavier, so the overall weight often remains similar. This is only for the wheel itself; when the rotor is added, disc brake wheels become heavier. While the increased number of spokes may slightly worsen aerodynamics, the significant advantage is that the rim no longer wears out.

ICAN Disc Brake Carbon Wheels

Now let's take a look at the Aero Disc Brake Carbon Wheels offered by ICAN.

ICAN's flagship disc brake carbon wheels, the Aero series, are refined and lightweight wheelsets designed based on the Fast Light (FL) series. They possess all the excellent qualities of the FL series, making them highly compatible wheels for all-around riders who enjoy aggressive braking.

What are the improvements from the FL series?

By changing the carbon fiber layup, the AERO series aero wheelset achieves a weight reduction of approximately 100g per wheelset (front and rear). While the FL series used only Toray T700 carbon fiber, the Aero series has been upgraded by combining Toray T700 and T800 carbon fiber.

The Aero series adopts the same tubeless-ready specification as the FL series. Designed to accommodate wider tires, it allows air to flow smoothly around the wheel, minimizing aerodynamic drag to the extreme. The design focuses on reducing air resistance to enable faster and more comfortable riding.

To complement the new rims, these wheels are equipped with the new ICAN D01 disc brake hubset. With 24 spokes, they are also compatible with thru-axles. The front hub has a 100 x 12mm end width, and the rear hub is 142 x 12mm. Using thru-axles ensures a very stiff wheelset, providing sufficient effectiveness with any disc brake. The hubs can be used with either Center Lock or International Standard, securely fastening the rotor.

ICAN's key characteristic is its exceptionally high cost-performance, offering superior quality at a very reasonable price. To ensure excellent riding performance, it uses high-grade spokes like the reliable Sapim CX-ray, and skilled craftsmen meticulously hand-build them, showcasing the manufacturer's advanced技术. Once you experience ICAN's running gear, it's often addictive, and many customers become repeat buyers. Experience a higher level of riding with ICAN's disc brake carbon wheels!