If you want to go fast, you should equip your road bike with aero wheels with deep tread. Deep profile wheels are more aerodynamic than standard box profile road wheels. Simply put, it will make you faster for the same amount of effort. Not only will you get faster, but there isn't a road bike that doesn't look cooler with aero wheels.

Quick orientation

• Shallow or deep cut?

• Medium cut versus deep cut

• Deeper rims

• What should I buy?

Shallow or deep profile?

Traditional road bike wheels are commonly referred to as box wheels. These wheels offer no aerodynamic advantage. They cause air to build up at the front of your bike, creating significant air resistance.

These rims are mounted as standard on bicycles with a standard profile. This is because they are generally cheaper than aero wheels. But there are also high-end aero rims . These rims are made of carbon fiber and are designed to be lightweight. They are the right choice if you like climbing.

Deep section rims now come in two variants: the medium section, which is 40 to 60 mm. Then there are the drop center rims, i.e. all rims over 60 mm.

Medium section wheels VS deep section wheels

The deeper a rim is, the more aerodynamic it is. The more aerodynamic your wheelset is, the faster you will go for the same effort. Why would you choose a 40mm middle section over an 80mm low section?

An 80mm deep rim will be heavier than a 40mm deep rim . If you ride on a variety of terrain, you may find that the 40mm rim offers a better balance of weight and aerodynamic advantage. One of the reasons for this is the biggest jump in aero advantage seen from a box section rim to a 40mm deep aero rim. With a rim depth of more than 40 mm, the advantages are only marginal.

The 40mm rim allows you to outwit the wind without having to accept a major weight penalty when climbing. Even when climbing, you will prefer to buy a deep profile carbon fiber wheelset. As carbon fiber technology continues to advance, many medium section wheels will weigh the same as box section aluminum rims.

ICAN AERO 40

Deeper rims

If you ride on flatter routes where low weight is not as important, deeper rims will be an advantage for you. Deeper rims are also important if you want to compete in triathlons or time trials. The marginal advantages can make the difference between 1st and 3rd place in a race.

Additionally, if you plan to ride regularly with 60mm+ rims, you should ride in a location where there isn't too much crosswind. Deep section 60mm+ wheels are good if you want to keep them as "good" wheels and use them for racing or if you want to crack the local KOM on Strava.

What should I buy?

35mm , 38mm and 40mm wheelsets are suitable for those who want to go light and climb, 50mm and 55mm are suitable for the daily commute to and from work, while 60mm+ wheelsets are suitable for flat roads or indoors for those who care about aerodynamics.

ICAN AERO is our top 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 anyone looking for high performance. Both wheel sets are available in different depths such as 35mm, 38mm, 40mm, 50mm, 55mm and 86mm.