We had the bicycle YouTube channel "Cycle Walk" actually use and thoroughly review ICAN's latest carbon wheels, the "AERO 40 II".

First, please watch the actual review video.

In the video, they meticulously review the wheels based on actual riding, covering cruising performance on flat roads, acceleration, climbing performance, stability against crosswinds, and even comfort on long rides.

We at ICAN have developed numerous carbon wheels to date, but with the AERO 40 II, we aimed to create an "all-around wheel that feels great to ride in any situation," rather than just a "lightweight wheel" or "aero wheel."

We are very pleased that this goal has been highly evaluated from a third-party rider's perspective.

What is the AERO 40 II?

The AERO 40 II is ICAN's newly developed next-generation aero road wheel.

Based on an easy-to-handle 40mm rim height, it features a rim shape optimized for the wide tires that have become mainstream in recent years.
With a 23mm inner rim width, it prioritizes compatibility with 28C to 30C tires, achieving a high-level balance of comfort, grip performance, and rolling resistance.

Traditionally, 40mm class wheels were generally positioned as:

• Lightness-oriented
• Good for climbing
• All-rounder type

This was the general perception.

However, with the AERO 40 II, we further enhanced its "high-speed cruising performance."
It was developed with a strong emphasis not just on being light, but on the sensation of "being easy to maintain speed" and "extending when pushed continuously."

On the other hand, we aimed for a balance that doesn't make it excessively stiff, thereby reducing fatigue accumulation on long rides.

In other words, the AERO 40 II is developed as:

• Hill climbs
• Flat cruising
• Long rides
• Group rides
• Races
• Regular weekend rides

a highly practical aero wheel that can handle all of these at a high level with a single set.

The "lightness" felt on first impression

What was particularly striking in this review video was the evaluation:

"Lightness unexpected for a 40mm height."

Many riders, when they hear "aero wheels," might first imagine characteristics like:

• Fast cruising
• But heavy
• Slow acceleration
• Scary in crosswinds

This might be the typical image.

Indeed, it's not uncommon for increasing rim depth to improve high-speed cruising performance but also lead to increased weight and difficulty in handling.

However, with the AERO 40 II, by re-evaluating the rim structure and carbon layup design, we achieved both a nimble feel during acceleration and stability at high speeds at a high level.

Especially during starting from a standstill or accelerating from low speeds, one can easily feel the "good response to leg input," with a sensation of moving forward smoothly the moment you push down.

This is a significant advantage not only in racing but also for stop-and-go city riding and routes with many ups and downs.

Impressive cruising performance

One of the great charms of the AERO 40 II is its stability during high-speed cruising.

In the video review, it received high praise for its "sense of glide" and "ease of maintaining speed" once it reached a certain velocity.

Generally, while lightweight wheels excel in acceleration, they can sometimes fall short of deep-rim wheels in maintaining high speeds.
Conversely, deep-rim wheels, while superior in cruising performance, can come with handling difficulties and a feeling of weight.

With the AERO 40 II, our goal was not to find a middle ground between the two, but to "achieve both at a high level."

The newly designed rim shape, in particular, prioritizes not only aerodynamic performance but also stability in actual crosswind conditions.

For road bikes, "can it be used safely in actual riding conditions" is much more important than aerodynamic performance in a laboratory.

No matter how high the aerodynamic performance, if a rider feels unsafe in crosswinds, they will unconsciously tense up, ultimately leading to fatigue and reduced speed.

The AERO 40 II is designed with ease of handling in mind, considering such real-world riding environments.

Comfort felt on long rides

In the recent road bike industry, "comfort" has become as important as "speed."

Especially with the popularization of 28C to 30C tires, benefits such as:

• Easier to lower tire pressure
• Improved road tracking
• Contributes to fatigue reduction

are gaining attention.

The AERO 40 II adopts a 23mm inner rim width, optimizing its compatibility with modern wide tire environments.

This enhances the stability, grip, and vibration absorption while maintaining the natural tire shape.

• Stability
• Grip
• Vibration absorption

This is how we achieve this.

In the review video, they also touched upon comfort during long rides, and "not too stiff, not tiring" was indeed one of our development concepts.

Simply increasing stiffness might feel fast for a short time, but it leads to fatigue over long distances.

Therefore, with the AERO 40 II, we emphasized balancing "providing stiffness where necessary while reducing unwanted harshness."

Recommended for first-time carbon wheel users too

The AERO 40 II is a model that is highly recommended not only for race-oriented riders but also for those introducing carbon wheels for the first time.

Many people have an image of carbon wheels as:

• Difficult to handle
• Scary in crosswinds
• Too stiff
• Too race-oriented

This is not uncommon.

However, the AERO 40 II has no extreme quirks and is extremely well-balanced.

Especially, for:

• Those who want to upgrade from aluminum wheels
• Those who want to enjoy riding their road bike more
• Those who want to enjoy both hill climbs and flat riding
• Those who want a versatile wheel that can be used for many purposes

This is a highly compatible wheel.

Indeed, when upgrading from stock wheels, you will likely experience significant improvements in:

• Lightness of acceleration
• Ease of maintaining cruising speed
• Overall nimbleness of the bike

I believe you will feel it quite strongly.

ICAN's philosophy: Aiming for "performance beyond the price"

At ICAN, we have always valued the idea of "delivering high-performance carbon products to more riders."

In recent years, prices in the road bike industry have continued to rise, and high-end wheels have become extremely expensive.

Of course, expensive products incorporate excellent technology and development capabilities.

However, we don't believe that "high price = optimal for all riders."

What's truly important is:

• Is it fun to actually ride?
• Do you want to use it for a long time?
• Does it change your daily rides?

We believe this is what truly matters.

With the AERO 40 II, while balancing aerodynamic performance, lightness, comfort, and stability, we also emphasized maintaining an "actually affordable price range."

As a result, we feel it has become a "high-performance wheel that is realistically easy for many riders to choose."

Finally

Many thanks to "Cycle Walk" for thoroughly reviewing the AERO 40 II in real riding conditions.

As a manufacturer developing products, receiving genuine feedback from actual riders is incredibly significant for us.

This review video very clearly introduces the "feeling of riding" that cannot be conveyed by spec sheets alone.

If you're interested in the AERO 40 II or considering a wheel upgrade, please check out the video.

ICAN will continue to develop products that deliver the joy of riding to more riders, pursuing "riding performance beyond the price."