ICAN Graro Aero Gravel Frame Building
09 Sep 2026
Project Overview
A Polish cycling enthusiast recently set out to build what he called "the most thoughtfully planned gravel bike" — balancing performance, weight, and value. At the heart of the build sits the ICAN Graro aero gravel frame, a UCI-certified carbon frameset that punches well above its price point.Buying directly from an EU warehouse also saves on taxes and shipping costs.
The result? A fully built Graro gravel bike weighing 8.7 kg (with pedals, bottle cage, and Garmin mount) for a total cost of approximately 9,500 PLN (~€2,200 / ~$2,400) . As the builder himself put it: "You won't believe how much this whole gravel bike cost."View the original video:
The Foundation: ICAN GRARO Aero Frame
The ICAN GRARO is marketed as an aero gravel frame — a rare combination in a category typically dominated by endurance geometry and relaxed tube shapes. Key specifications include:
●UCI certification — race-legal for competitive events
●Aero tube shaping — designed to reduce drag without sacrificing gravel capability
●UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) — compatible with the latest transmission standards
●Generous head tube — accommodates modern integrated cockpits
●T47 threaded bottom bracket — creak-free, serviceable, and widely supported
●Beautiful paint finish — the builder noted the frame had a "very nice paint job" and applied protective film to preserve it
●Dedicated seatpost — proprietary aero design from ICAN
●Weighed the complete frameset — including the seatpost, T47 bottom bracket, headset, protective film, and axles — at just under 2 kg.
For an aero gravel frame with UCI certification, this is competitive with frames costing two to three times as much."This is a very popular frame — the ICAN GRARO. According to the manufacturer, it's an aero frame. It has UCI certification. It's tested for durability in competition.
Key Assembly Tips from the Build
UDH Modification for 13-Speed Cassettes
When installing a 13-speed SRAM cassette, the builder discovered that the plastic edge of the stock UDH can interfere with the largest cog:"To install a 13-speed SRAM cassette, we need to slightly grind down this original UDH hanger to make it flush. If we install it with this hanger as-is, the cassette will catch on these edges. They're plastic, so it's not difficult to trim or sand down."This is a simple modification — a few passes with a file or sandpaper — that ensures smooth cassette clearance without compromising hanger function.Tire Clearance Check
The builder fitted Schwalbe G-One Allround 45 mm tires on the carbon gravel wheels. The measured width on the rim was 43 mm, and the GRARO frame provided adequate clearance.This confirms the GRARO can accommodate tires up to at least 45 mm (likely 48 mm based on published specs), making it suitable for everything from fast gravel to light singletrack.
Breakaway Garmin Mount
For the handlebar-mounted Garmin, the builder chose a plastic breakaway mount:"A plastic mount — in case of a crash, it breaks instead of damaging the handlebar or anything else."This is a low-cost insurance policy worth copying on any build.
Groupset Choice: WheelTop EDS Gex Wireless Electronic
Perhaps the most unconventional choice in this build is the WheelTop EDS Gex wireless electronic groupset — a Chinese alternative to Shimano and SRAM. The builder selected the top-tier model with the strongest brake calipers, opting for the wired version (hydraulic hoses run internally through the frame).
Performance Highlights: Short Cranks (160 mm)
The builder deliberately chose 160 mm SRAM Rival cranks — shorter than the standard 170–175 mm — to test their impact on cadence, power output, and climbing performance:"I wanted to test the 160 mm version, see what effect it has. We'll see how it affects cadence and power, and how it feels riding uphill. Whether it ends up being a heavier or lighter solution."
Final Thoughts
The complete build came in at approximately 9,500 PLN (~€2,200), including all components. This build demonstrates that a high-performance gravel bike doesn't require a five-figure budget. By combining the ICAN GRARO frame with carefully selected components — some mainstream (SRAM Rival), some unconventional (WheelTop groupset, AliExpress bar and saddle) — the builder achieved an 8.7 kg bike for under €2,200.The GRARO frame provided the structural excellence and modern standards needed to support this mix of parts, proving that ICAN's engineering holds its own against far more expensive alternatives.As the builder prepares for a full field test (coming in approximately one month), early indications are promising: the bike performs visually, financially, and — based on initial shifting tests — functionally at a very high level."The bike turned out great — visually, in terms of cost, and of course in terms of weight."Where to Buy
The ICAN GRARO Aero gravel frame is available directly from ICAN Cycling with EU warehouse shipping options. Choose from standard paint finishes or custom colors.
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