Since its founding in 2009, ICAN has released numerous bicycles, mainly road bikes, gravel bikes, and MTB bikes, with a strong focus on providing carbon bicycles. Today, it has grown to receive UCI certification and has created fans around the world. Today, we will introduce the long-awaited carbon mini velo "F1" from ICAN.

The F1 series released this time comes in two types: a standard model and a high-end model. The high-end model is equipped with aero-shaped carbon baton wheels and carbon handlebars, achieving a top-class lightweight design with a total weight of 8.92kg. The high-end model is truly a step above, pursuing the agility unique to mini velos. While there is a difference in weight between the high-end model and the standard model, both strongly reflect ICAN's concept of "quality first." Let's take a closer look at the features of the F1.

Sporty Performance to Meet the Needs of the Times

The first feature I want to tell you about the F1 is its specialized sporty performance. While conventional mini velos are designed for short distances, the F1 is designed for medium-distance travel. One of the features that enables medium-distance riding is disc brakes. With the increase in outdoor activities and delivery demand, mini velos, which are easy to carry and highly maneuverable, are now required to have performance for medium-distance use. Therefore, the combination of mini velos and disc brakes has become a recent trend.

The F1 incorporates disc brakes to meet such needs of the times. The disc brakes adopted by the F1 are hydraulic disc brakes made by Tektro, a company that has been manufacturing bicycle brakes for over 30 years. This maintains stable braking force even on rainy days and steep downhill slopes, demonstrating braking performance that can handle all conditions.

And we must not forget the 11-34T wide-ratio gear as a factor that determines the F1's sporty functionality. Wide-ratio gears are generally equipped on bicycles for long rides and hill climbs, and the fact that the F1 is equipped with this wide ratio indicates that rides of medium distance or more were anticipated. ICAN's challenge to break the stereotype that mini velos are for short distances can be seen in its deliberate equipping of a wide-ratio gear on a mini velo, which is inherently not good for long-distance travel.

Among the components that make up the F1, the carbon baton wheels, which are synonymous with ICAN, are particularly eye-catching. The F1, benefiting from the baton wheels, boasts an overwhelming lightness. Generally, the disadvantage of installing disc brakes is increased weight, but the F1's standard model weighs 10.18kg and the high-end model weighs 8.92kg, achieving a lightweight design that doesn't feel like a disadvantage. The lightness of the frame created by the baton wheels provides strong acceleration when starting and also has the "ease of riding" inherent in mini velos.

The F1 can also be carried by folding it compactly. By pressing the "gold button" in the center of the frame and pulling the "lever," the frame folds in half, becoming compact. The gold button is designed to be large so that even women and small children can easily fold it. The improved operability when folding has also greatly lowered the hurdles for indoor storage and carrying it on trains.

Fusion of Lightness and Durability

While the F1's lightness is largely due to the baton wheels mentioned earlier, we must not forget the carbon fiber frame and joints. One cannot talk about ICAN bicycles without mentioning carbon fiber, but first, let's discuss mini velos and carbon.

Recently, carbon fiber mini velos are not uncommon and are even becoming a trend. However, not long ago, many people doubted the compatibility of mini velos and carbon. The reason lies in the properties of carbon fiber; while it boasts lightness, its strength is a weakness, and it is prone to damage if a certain impact is applied. In addition, it is more expensive than other materials when it appears on the market.

These characteristics of carbon often mismatched the functions of a mini velo, which is a popular-priced bicycle for city riding and often folded.

It is no exaggeration to say that the F1 has overcome the compatibility issues between carbon and mini velos. This is because the F1 is a bike that combines "sturdiness" with lightness. The special carbon fiber that combines TORAY's T700 and T800 has achieved both lightness and sturdiness. This technology makes it easier to transmit pedaling power and increases strength, resulting in a frame that is less prone to damage. To maximize weight reduction, the frame joint parts, which often use aluminum, are also full carbon.

Design that suits any scene

The F1 comes in two color variations. The high-end model is black, which goes well with the carbon baton wheels, and features a sharp and stylish appearance. The standard model is blue, a friendly color that also exudes a metallic sheen and a sense of luxury. Both are designed with colors that blend into both outdoor and urban environments, making them suitable for any usage scenario.

Lightness and sturdiness are extremely important when going on long bike rides. Lightness makes it easy to carry the bike on trains, and its sturdiness provides ample durability against shaking during transport. All this might give the impression that the F1 is a luxury car, but the price has been kept well under control.

On ICAN's official website, the high-end F1 model, originally priced at 163,736 yen, is currently discounted to 150,000 yen, and the standard model, originally 152,747 yen, can be purchased for 115,800 yen. The fact that it's carbon yet reasonably priced is another strength that only ICAN can offer.

The F1 is a mini velo that meets the needs of any rider, whether they are serious cyclists who want to ride hard outdoors or everyday users who want to ride it daily for commuting or school. If you don't want to compromise on performance, design, or cost, we highly recommend ICAN's mini velo. Take advantage of this discounted opportunity to experience the performance of the latest mini velo.