ICAN G25 Carbon Wheelset Review By David Duffield
Introduction to the ICAN G25 Assessment
In the current performance cycling landscape, the "budget-light" carbon category has emerged as a disruptive force, challenging the dominance of established premium marques. The ICAN G25 is a strategic entrant in this sector, specifically engineered to address the "one-bike" trend where endurance road frames, are tasked with navigating both high-speed tarmac and light gravel. This report evaluates the G25’s ability to bridge this gap through a technical lens, focusing on structural integrity and mass distribution.
The primary objective of this analysis is to determine if the G25’s specific architecture—originally intended for gravel—provides a performance advantage for road endurance riders, particularly those operating in demanding topographies. Our evaluation transitions from initial quality control (QC) observations to a quantitative breakdown of the wheelset's mechanical potential.
In 2026, the G25 wheelset will be upgraded to the G25 SL. European warehouses will offer tax-free and shipping-free delivery, ensuring faster arrival at your doorstep.
This is a review video of the G25 wheelset by David Duffield, a cycling enthusiast from the Lake District in the UK.
Manufacturing Quality and Out-of-the-Box Integrity
From a performance consultancy perspective, initial build quality and packaging protocols are primary indicators of long-term structural reliability. In the context of carbon fiber components, where manufacturing voids or improper resin curing can lead to catastrophic failure, the ICAN G25 demonstrates a rigorous adherence to quality assurance. The inclusion of individual "test results" and quality certificates within the packaging is a critical safety protocol that elevates consumer confidence, signaling a data-driven manufacturing process rather than high-volume generic production.
Physical Build Observations & Machining Tolerances:
● Spoke Tension Consistency: Manual inspection reveals uniform tension across the build, essential for maintaining lateral stiffness under high torsional loads.
● Surface Finish: The UD (Unidirectional) carbon rims exhibit no visible resin pooling or fiber misalignment, suggesting high-pressure mold precision.
● Mechanical Protection: Shipping integrity is maintained via high-density covers on the freehub body and protective axial wraps, ensuring that bearing seats and interfaces arrive within factory tolerances.
● Hub Sealing: Initial tactile feedback suggests tight machining tolerances in the hub shells, with well-seated seals to prevent ingress during damp endurance rides.
These observations confirm that the G25 meets the baseline QC requirements necessary for high-frequency use in varied climates, leading directly into a more granular analysis of its weight-to-performance ratio.
Quantitative Weight Analysis and Distribution
In regions characterized by steep, high-frequency gradients like the Lake District, rotational inertia is the most critical metric for climbing efficiency. Reducing mass at the rim—the furthest point from the axis of rotation—directly decreases the wattage required for acceleration. The ICAN G25 weight profile is highly competitive for a wheelset capable of mixed-terrain resilience.
|
Component |
Weight |
% of Total Weight |
|
Front Wheel |
635g |
45.6% |
|
Rear Wheel |
757g |
54.4% |
|
Total Set Weight |
1,392g |
100% |
|
Alloy Baseline (Avg) |
~1,850g |
+32.9% |
The "hand-feel" perceived by the rider is a result of this optimized weight distribution. At 1,392g, the G25 provides a 24% weight reduction over many stock alloy sets. For a cyclist navigating the 20%+ gradients found in the Lake District, this reduction in rotational mass translates to a more responsive front end and improved power transfer during seated climbs. This lightweight profile is achieved without compromising the structural width required for high-volume tire support.
Rim Architecture and Design Specifications
The G25 utilizes a hooked clincher design, a deliberate engineering choice that maintains maximum versatility for the endurance market. While hookless designs are gaining traction in dedicated gravel, the hooked architecture of the G25 allows riders to safely run higher pressures on the road with standard clincher tires or transition to tubeless setups for mixed-surface compliance.
The rim bed is tubeless-ready, requiring only standard tape application to seal. From a maintenance and aesthetic standpoint, the G25 features "dark decal" branding. Notably, these are adhesive-based rather than heat-transfer or permanent matte finishes. For the professional endurance cyclist, this is a functional advantage: it allows for easy replacement or removal to achieve a "stealth" look, and simplifies maintenance should the rim suffer cosmetic abrasions during gravel use. This understated design philosophy prioritizes performance over marketing-heavy aesthetics.
Hub and Drivetrain Configuration
The mechanical core of the G25 is the D21 hub system independently designed by ICAN.
Mechanical Specifications:
● Engagement Profile: The freehub utilizes a high-engagement pawl system, producing a distinct acoustic profile that indicates a low degree of engagement lag—essential for technical climbing and "kick" out of corners.
● Serviceability: The platform offers a clear upgrade path to DT Swiss internals or ceramic bearings for riders seeking lower rolling resistance.
● Interface: The stock hub shells exhibit a high-quality anodized finish, comparable in aesthetics and feel to the integrated components found on high-end carbon frames.
The reinforcement of the rim's spoke bed ensures that the torque generated by these high-engagement hubs is distributed evenly, preventing stress fractures during high-wattage efforts.
Target Audience and Performance Use-Case Analysis
Matching equipment to rider morphology is a hallmark of professional performance consulting. The ICAN G25 is an exceptional candidate for "larger riders" (90kg+). Traditional "lightweight" road wheels often sacrifice lateral stiffness to achieve low weights; however, because the G25 is built to gravel specifications, it possesses the inherent sturdiness required for high-stress applications. When paired with high-volume tires—specifically 700x34c as preferred by riders in undulating regions.
Financial Value Proposition: At a price point of €745 (approximately £639), the G25 achieves a disruptive £0.46 per gram value ratio. In comparison, premium competitors in the 1,400g weight class often exceed £1.00 per gram.
Final Assessment
The ICAN G25 is a high-value, high-performance upgrade that successfully bridges the gap between road agility and gravel resilience. For the endurance cyclist seeking a lightweight, climbing-ready wheelset that can withstand the rigors of the Lake District's terrain and weather, the G25 represents a technically sound and financially astute investment.