ICAN Graro Frame Review By Lorenzo Del Sant
ICAN Graro Frame Review By Lorenzo Del Sant
Let’s be real: building a high-performance gravel bike usually feels like a series of expensive compromises. You either drop five figures on a "Big Brand" nameplate or you roll the dice on a budget build that might leave you questioning the layup quality at 40mph on a descent.
The "Gravel Project" was born out of a specific challenge: Can we build a 100% Chinese-sourced bike that stands toe-to-toe with the pros without cutting corners? After months of vetting factories, I landed on the ICAN TRIAERO GRARO. I’ve been in love with this design for a while, and honestly, ICAN is currently the best economic alternative when you're looking for that sweet spot of high-tier engineering and sensible pricing. This isn't just a budget frame; it's the foundation of a dream build.
If shipped from ICAN's European warehouse in Germany, you'll even enjoy free shipping and tax-free benefits, reducing transit time.
This is a video review of the ICAN carbon fiber gravel frame Graro by Italian cycling enthusiast Lorenzo Del Sant:
Pro-Level Materials in a Budget Frame
Don’t let the "economic" tag fool you. ICAN is pulling from the top shelf of the carbon catalog. The TRIAERO utilizes a strategic blend of high-modulus fibers from Toray—the same stuff used by the industry giants.
● Toray T1000: Used in high-stress zones to maximize power transfer and stiffness.
● Toray T800 & T700: Balanced throughout the rest of the frame to keep the weight down while maintaining vertical compliance.
This isn't just theory, either. ICAN’s ecosystem has genuine racing pedigree. Their road-focused sibling, the Quick Pro R1, was recently ridden by Harry Ozon to a World Junior Championship title. Knowing this factory’s tech is winning on the world stage gives you a level of confidence you just don't get with anonymous "open mold" frames.
Radical Customization (From Pro-Tour Replicas to Cats)
One of the most "tanta roba" (impressive) aspects of the ICAN experience is the customization. While mainstream brands force you into two or three stale colorways per year, ICAN’s paint shop is essentially limitless.
I was originally eyeing a replica of the EF Education First style—that iconic pink and white—but it was out of production. However, a quick scroll through their Instagram reveals everything from stealthy matte finishes to frames covered in custom-drawn cats. I ultimately went with a gorgeous grey and black gloss. If you’re looking to pick one up, you can actually use the code "Lorenzo del Sant" for a 5% discount on their site. It’s a nice perk for a frame that already feels like a bargain.
The "Maintenance-First" Aerodynamic Design
Integrated cabling is usually a nightmare that makes you "smadonnare" (curse) the moment you need to swap a housing. But the TRIAERO uses the Blade R handlebar system which actually shows some mechanical empathy.
The cables exit the bars before entering the headtube, keeping things clean but accessible. I did hit a bit of a snag with the sizing: I needed an 110mm stem, which forced me into a 44cm bar width. I would have preferred a narrower 40cm or 42cm to match my road setup, but the 110mm stem length was only available with the wider bars. It’s a trade-off, but the maintenance logic is sound:
"The holes that are there to pass the cables internally... in my opinion, they also facilitate maintenance a lot."
Technical Future-Proofing (T47 and UDH)
If you’re building a bike today, you want it to be compatible with tomorrow’s parts. ICAN nailed the specs here:
● T47 86mm Bottom Bracket: This is the gold standard right now. You get the beefy stiffness of a wide shell with the reliability of threads. No creaking, just performance.
● SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger): This is huge. It means this frame is ready for the latest 13-speed drivetrains and SRAM’s T-Type transmissions.
● Versatile Clearance: It’s designed for 45mm tires for the rough stuff, but it’s sharp enough that I’m considering throwing on 33mm tires for a few cyclocross races this winter.
Real-World Weights vs. Marketing Claims
I’m a bit of a weight-weenie, so I took the scale to every part. One thing to note: these weights include the thru-axles, derailleur hangers, and all the bolts. I’ll be honest—the fork comes with a ton of bolts for bikepacking/racks. While that’s great for utility, for a pure racing build, it's a bit of extra weight that "non mi fa impazzire" (doesn't thrill me).
● Frame: ~1170g (includes thru-axle, hanger, and hardware).
● Fork: 535g (including thru-axle and those extra bolts).
● Handlebar (Blade R): 360g.
● Seatpost: 150g.
Subtracting the hardware (which accounts for about 100g), the frame weight is incredibly competitive with high-end carbon offerings that cost triple the price.
Internal Quality—The Phone Flash Test
I tried to be the "skeptical pro" and get the endoscope inside the tubes to check for messy resin or carbon burrs. Total "flop pazzesco" (huge fail)—my 1-meter cable was too short and the camera decided to quit on me.
Falling back to "garage mechanic" basics, I used a phone flash to peer into the headtube and bottom bracket shell. Even without the high-tech tool, what I saw was reassuringly "pulito" (clean). The internal walls are smooth, and the critical junctions around the BB and headset are well-finished.
"The carbon is clean... nothing that makes us doubt the quality of the frame."
Closing: The End of the "Cheap Carbon" Stigma?
The ICAN TRIAERO feels like a turning point. We’re moving past the era where "Chinese carbon" meant "mystery meat." With T47 standards, UDH compatibility, and world-championship-winning lineage, the gap between the budget alternatives and the premium brands is almost non-existent.
The frameset is solid, the finish is beautiful, and the technical specs are future-proof. Now comes the best part: the Dream Build assembly and the inevitable race-day stress test. Is the big-brand premium still worth it? Based on what I'm seeing here, the answer is looking like a resounding "no."