AERO 40II Road Wheels Review by Cycling unboxed
In today's increasingly competitive carbon wheelset market, the term "value for money" has been overused. But when an independent YouTube reviewer — completely free from brand influence — puts a wheelset under precision instruments and calls it "remarkable," we have reason to believe this is no ordinary unboxing.
Jason from the Cycling Unboxed channel conducted a full teardown, weighing, measurement, and tire mounting test of the ICAN AERO 40II. Here is every detail he uncovered.
Pricing Strategy: A Global Approach
The AERO 40II is officially priced in the U.S. market. However, he astutely noted regional price differences — in the UK and separate pricing for the EU market. This is because we implement localized warehousing and logistics solutions to optimize duties, VAT, and shipping costs. Wherever you are, we strive to offer the most competitive price in your local market.
Performance Rivaling Top-Tier Wheelsets
Weight is one of the biggest upgrades of the AERO 40II over its predecessor. The claimed weight is 1,177g, and Jason's calibrated scale read 1,190g — a deviation of only 13g (~1.1%), which is excellent tolerance control for mass-produced carbon wheels.
He particularly emphasized the weight-to-price ratio:"When you compare it to competitors, that weight is kind of like a standard nowadays. But then you look at the price again, and that weight for that price? Incredible."This means that if you're looking for a wheelset that significantly reduces overall bike weight without breaking the bank, the AERO 40II has virtually no rival in its price bracket.
U/V hybrid aerodynamic profile design
The AERO 40II adopts the increasingly popular U/V hybrid profile (UV-shape) seen in high-performance wheelsets. The core concept: the front half of the rim maintains a wider U-section for increased volume and lateral stiffness, while the rear half gradually narrows into a V-shape to help airflow reattach smoothly and reduce vortex shedding.
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Hub and Internal Structure: Deep Teardown
Jason didn't stop at the surface — he completely disassembled the hub for internal inspection. Here's what he found:
Ratchet System: 45-Tooth Engagement
The AERO 40II features a 45-tooth ratchet mechanism, providing an engagement angle of approximately 8°. Jason noted that unlike the DT Swiss-style design used in earlier models, the new hub places the spring behind the ratchet ring, allowing for a larger contact surface:"This side pushes back here and the spring is behind that. They've actually got 45 teeth on there now. It seems to give a much bigger surface area for these teeth to engage."
A larger contact area theoretically means more even stress distribution and higher durability.
Bearings and Seal Design
The end caps are internally greased — Jason praised this practice as it helps protect the bearings from moisture ingress. He also pointed out the seal design:"The plastic bits only have a single flange on here. That generally speaking doesn't protect the internals as well, but the tightness on them is very good. So maybe they are sealed enough if you do a lot of wet weather riding."
Additionally, the AERO 40II comes standard with steel bearings, with an optional ceramic bearing upgrade for an extra $60.
Spoke and Nipple Configuration
The wheelset uses Sapim CX-Ray bladed steel spokes — widely regarded as the industry benchmark, combining light weight, high strength, and aerodynamic advantages.
For nipples, we use Sapim Secure Lock aluminum self-locking nipples, anodized for enhanced corrosion resistance. Jason noted that aluminum nipples are more susceptible to corrosion than brass, but acknowledged that the anodized coating provides adequate protection.
Measurement data of wheel rim width
Official specifications list 23mm internal width / 28mm external width. However, Jason used a caliper for precise measurements:Internal Width 23mm 23.5mm/External Width 28mm 29.7mm
"Interestingly, when measuring the wheelset, they come out at more like 29.7 — nearly 30mm wide, which is closer to what I want and what I would expect, especially for the UK. We need to run wider tires in this country and therefore aerodynamically a wider rim fits a wider tire better."
Tire Compatibility Testing
Jason mounted 28mm and 30mm Vittoria Corsa Pro tires:
• 28mm tire: Measured approximately 29.5mm wide — nearly flush with the 29.7mm external width, creating an almost perfect aerodynamic transition.
• 30mm tire: Measured approximately 32.5mm wide, presenting a fuller profile.
This combination balances low front-end drag with rear comfort and grip — a proven classic setup.
Tire Mounting Efficiency,Zero Hassle
Jason timed the actual tire mounting process — it took less than 6 minutes with no difficulties.The only minor suggestion: the hub body lacks a bite guard, which could allow the cassette to dig into the lightweight aluminum freehub body. This is a valid recommendation, and we are evaluating incorporating it into future batches.
 
Complete Bike Weight: 58cm Frame 7kg
Jason installed the AERO 40II on his 58cm Seekerspear frame with an Ultegra groupset and Vittoria Corsa Pro tires (28mm front / 30mm rear). The total riding weight — including pedals, bottle cages, and computer mount — came to 7.07kg.
He noted that swapping back to Dura-Ace cassette and rotors would push the weight close to or even below the 7kg mark.Considering this is a large 58cm frame, the weight result is impressive.
Summary and Outlook
They're a very light wheelset and quite good-looking — maybe a little bit narrow, but overall a very compelling package." The value proposition of the ICAN AERO 40II can be summed up in three numbers:
• Less than $900 — an entry-level price accessible to most cyclists
• ~1,190g — a weight that would embarrass flagship wheelsets from five years ago
• 45T ratchet + Sapim CX-Ray + UV profile — hardware that withstands scrutiny under teardown
The AERO 40II may not be the lightest wheelset on the market, nor the widest, nor the most expensive. However, its pricing, weight, workmanship, complete accessories, and brand transparency make it worthy of attention from every rider who takes riding seriously.
