This time, we'll discuss customizing sports bikes such as road bikes and cross bikes, specifically focusing on a slightly more advanced level of customization.

Purpose of Customization

While the possibilities for "customization" are endless, this time we'll focus on "lightening the weight," specifically for the purpose of cycling faster.

The ultimate method is to replace everything with lighter components, but for most people (including the author), this is a high hurdle.

Therefore, I will introduce a method that is less expensive yet dramatically lighter.

That is "wheel replacement."

Simply replacing the wheels can completely change the look and performance of your bike.

Weight Changes

I believe the biggest difference between a utility bike and a road bike is weight.

There are countless other differences, such as shape, ride comfort, and materials, but by making a bike lighter, you can pedal and ride faster with the same amount of effort.

In other words, by making road bikes and cross bikes even lighter, you can ride them even faster.

For example, the weight of ICAN's A9 road bike (complete bike) is, according to the catalog, 7.98 kg (excluding pedal weight).

The weight of a carbon wheel set (front and rear) is about 1.3 kg.

Aluminum wheels weigh around 1.6 kg, and steel wheels weigh around 2.0 kg (both based on the author's own research).

If you switch from steel wheels to carbon wheels, it will be 0.7 kg lighter by simple calculation.

Since the weight varies depending on the manufacturer's product, there can be a difference of 1 kg or 1.5 kg.

That much lighter, and the ride will change.

The resistance of the pedals when you start pedaling will also change.

Appearance Changes

Steel wheels, aluminum frames, and carbon frames have different designs due to their different materials.

This is because each material has its own characteristics.

Besides being heavy or light, there are also characteristics such as being easy or difficult to bend, easy or difficult to break, and it is common to design them to take advantage of these characteristics.

Finished products are recommended

While you can assemble wheels yourself by gathering your preferred hubs, spokes, rims, etc., we recommend finished products.

You can see how difficult it is by watching the video of ICAN actually assembling them.

ICAN AERO 40S Carbon Wheels

Even if you could assemble it like a plastic model, the adjustment is difficult.

It's probably best to leave this to the experts.

Tires may have different mounting methods, so please choose tires that match your wheels.

You need tires that match the rim shape.

There are types such as clincher rims, tubular rims, aero rims, downhill rims, disc rims, and tubeless rims.

Prepare tires and tubes that match the rims you purchase.

There are also tire and tube sets available, which I personally recommend.

Since they are already assembled, there is no possibility of making a mistake.

Making a mistake would lead to a significant loss of effort, time, and money.

There are also points to note when replacing wheels.

Sprocket width

Sprockets usually have a certain number of gears.

If you try to use the chain you've been using, you might find that it's a different thickness and doesn't fit.

If you use the same type of sprocket as before, there shouldn't be any problem.

In addition, it might be a good idea to check the wheel diameter as well.

Most road bikes are 700C, but occasionally you might see a different size.

If you're making assumptions, it's hard to notice, so please check the size just in case.

The axle has the same diameter, so I don't think there will be any problems.

Types of Brakes

One of the very important items to check when replacing wheels is the brakes.

Broadly speaking, there are "disc brakes," "rim brakes," and "hub brakes," but if you try to stop a disc brake rim with rim brakes, it will damage the rim and won't stop.

On the contrary, there is a possibility that the rim itself will be damaged.

Hub brakes are the rear brakes of utility bikes.

I haven't seen them on sports types, so I don't think there's a chance of making a mistake.

Disc brakes won't stop without a disc, so the rim and brake types must match.

Chain Pitch

Chains have a pitch.

A chain consists of an "outer link" and an "inner link," with one of each forming a set.

This overall length is called the chain pitch, and since there are several lengths, choose sprockets and chains of the same type.

In addition to that, there is also a "inner width" in the thickness direction of the chain.

There is an "outer link inner width" and an "inner link inner width."

This width differs depending on the type, so if you choose a sprocket with many gear changes, the chain may not fit.

Is the depreciation of the yen disadvantageous for imported goods?

Recently, the yen has been depreciating, and as of the day this article was written (July 17, 2022), the exchange rate between the yen and the US dollar is said to be 1 dollar to 138 yen.

This makes it disadvantageous to buy overseas products. (See image)

Here's a secret trick I found.

This page on ICAN seems to have products shipped within Japan.

ICAN Japan Warehouse

If you order this, it will arrive in about 2 days at the earliest, but you should deliberately choose the shipping from China option.

I don't know why, but it's slightly cheaper than the stock available in Japan, so it's a good target.

Due to the weak yen and shipping costs, this price difference may disappear.

Hurry before the person in charge changes the price.

ICAN Wheel Product Page