A quick guide to deep profile aero rims

If you want to go fast, your road bike could benefit from deep-profile aero rims. Deep profile rims are more aerodynamic than traditional box profile racing bike rims. Simply put: This makes you faster with the same amount of effort. In addition to the increase in speed, there is no road bike that doesn't look cooler when equipped with aero rims.

Short instructions

• Shallow or deep?
• Medium profile versus low profile
• Deeper rims
• What should I buy?

Shallow or deep?

Traditional road bike rims are often referred to as box profile. These rims offer no aerodynamic advantage . They cause the air at the front of your bike to stall, creating significant drag.

You will often find these types of rims as standard equipment on a stock bike. This is because they are generally cheaper than aero rims. However, you can also get high-quality aero rims. These rims are made of carbon fiber and are designed to be lightweight. They are the right choice if you like going uphill.

Deep profile rims now come in two varieties: medium profile, which is 40mm to 60mm, and deep profile, any rim over 60mm.

Medium profile rims versus low profile rims

The deeper a rim is, the more aerodynamic it becomes. The more aerodynamic your wheelset is, the faster you will be for the same effort. Why would you choose a 40mm medium profile rim instead of an 80mm deep profile rim?

An 80mm deep rim will be heavier than a 40mm deep rim. If you ride on different terrains, you may find that the 40mm rim balances the weight and aerodynamic advantage better for you. One of the reasons for this is the biggest jump in aerodynamic advantage occurs from a box section rim to a 40mm deep aero rim - beyond 40mm the gains start to become marginal.

The 40mm rim allows you to outsmart the wind without having a major weight problem when climbing. Your climbing experience will also prefer if you buy a carbon fiber deep profile wheelset. With the advancement of carbon fiber technology, many medium profile rims now weigh as much as aluminum box profile rims. (ICAN-AERO 40 Disc)

Deeper rims

If you ride on flatter trails where weight isn't as important, a deeper rim will give you more benefits. Deeper rims are also important if you want to start doing triathlons or time trials. The marginal gains could be the difference between 1st and 3rd place in a race.

You also want to ride in a location that doesn't have too many crosswinds if you regularly use rims that are 60mm or more deep. Rims with a depth of 60mm or more work well if you want to keep them as "good" rims and use them for racing or if you want to break your local KOM on Strava.

What should I buy?

35 mm , 38 mm and 40 mm wheelsets are suitable for those who value lightness and climbing. 50mm and 55mm are suitable for everyday commutes, while wheelsets with a depth of 60mm or more are suitable for flat roads or indoor events for those seeking aerodynamic advantages.

ICAN AERO is our premium tubeless wheelset, ideal for performance-oriented riders. We designed it to balance aerodynamics, stiffness and weight in an affordable package. The Alpha Series is the perfect affordable wheelset for those looking for a high-performance ride. Both have wheelsets in different depths such as 35mm, 38mm, 40mm, 50mm, 55mm and 86mm.