Once you've been riding a road bike for a while, choosing wheels suddenly becomes much more difficult.
Lightness, aerodynamics, crosswind resistance, price... which to prioritize, and which to compromise on?

When I first tested the ICAN FL 38 / 52 MAX,
I honestly had my doubts.

It has an asymmetrical rim profile with 38mm in the front and 52mm in the rear.
While this configuration is common nowadays,

"Is there really that much difference in feel?"
"Isn't it just marketing?"

I went into the actual riding test with those suspicions.

To cut to the chase—
it was a "wheel with real meaning" more than I expected.

About the ICAN brand (briefly)

ICAN is a rather old name among Chinese carbon wheels.
I've known the name since I started road cycling.

In the past, their position was "cheap, but how good are they?",
but in recent years, their direction has clearly changed.

• Doesn't just blindly follow trends

• Realistic part selection

• Good balance of price and performance

The FL 38 / 52 MAX, which I'm reviewing this time,
I felt really embodies this "new ICAN identity."

Why asymmetrical? My honest impression before riding

First, the configuration is as follows:

• Front: 38mm

• Rear: 52mm

I understand the reasoning behind it.

• Front for crosswind resistance

• Rear for aerodynamics and propulsion

However, before actually riding them,
my honest feeling was "will it really make that much difference?"

Especially for me, I've had several scary experiences with crosswinds
on full 50mm class wheels.

So, this time, the main thing I was curious about
was how effective the 38mm front would be.

Weight and specs are honestly excellent

The measured weight is as follows:

• Front (38mm): approx. 580g

• Rear (52mm): approx. 760g

• Total: approx. 1,340g

At 1,340g for this configuration, they are simply light.

What's more,

• Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray

• Hub: Star Ratchet type (36T)

• Internal width: 21mm

• UCI certified

Honestly, the fact that CX-Ray spokes are included at this price point (around 110,000 yen) already makes me raise an eyebrow.

Looking at the specs alone,
they don't compare unfavorably to much more expensive wheels.

Riding impression: The first thing I felt was "simply easy to handle"

The setup this time was:

• Tires: 30C Clincher

• Tube: TPU

This is a common combination these days.

Initial pedaling and acceleration

First, the initial pedaling.

Rather than feeling "light!",
the impression was that there was no strange heaviness whatsoever.

Even with 30C tires,
there's no feeling of drag,
and it smoothly picks up speed.

I think the 1,340g weight
is really effective in this regard.

Crosswind resistance: This was the biggest surprise

The test location was Arakawa.
The Arakawa in winter is, needless to say, very windy.

Let me get straight to the point.

The 38mm front wheel is truly effective.

Even when sudden gusts hit,

• The handlebars don't suddenly get pulled away

• Minimal steering correction is needed

• Mentally, there's more leeway

Those moments of "ah, that's a bit scary" that I felt with full 50mm wheels
are clearly fewer.

It's not completely calm, but there's no doubt that the sense of security is a notch higher.

Cruising and the rear's presence

Regarding the 52mm rear.

This is clearly:

• Easy to cruise

• Easy to maintain speed once it's up

• Feels like every pedal stroke translates into forward motion

Since the rear is solid,
the bike as a whole feels stable.

The front is light,
and the rear supports it.

I believe this balance is why it's less fatiguing to ride for long periods.

Handling and Cornering

In corners,

• The front feels nimble

• Entry is natural

• Changes in direction are smooth

The rear's stiffness is also sufficient, and there's no feeling of lag when you pedal again.

It's tuned in a way that can be used comfortably by both
race-oriented riders and endurance riders.

About the ride comfort

Due to the influence of CX-Ray (stainless steel spokes),
the overall ride feel is "not harsh."

• Road surface irregularities are softened

• Arms don't get tired even on long rides

For those who dislike stiff racing wheels,
I think this will leave a very good impression.

Honestly, are there any concerns?

If I had to mention anything,

• Not suitable for those who want to use 25C or narrower

• Rim design may be a matter of taste

However, these are not fatal flaws.

Rather, the fact that it's "not too extreme"
is one of this wheel's strengths.

Overall evaluation: A "wheel that's hard to go wrong with"

If I had to sum up the ICAN FL 38 / 52 MAX in one phrase, it would be:

"Deep rims you don't have to overthink"

• Not scary in crosswinds

• Sufficiently light

• Easy for cruising

• Realistic price

Can be used as your first deep rims,
or as your main wheels.

Honestly, with this content at this price,
I think it's a pretty strong contender for purchase.

It's not flashy,
but it's the type of wheel that convinces you once you ride it.

If you're interested,
you're unlikely to regret giving it a try.