ICAN is one of the longer-established direct-sale carbon brands available to international cyclists. Its current road range includes the A9 and A22 framesets as well as complete A9 and A22 bikes in selected regional storefronts. That is more useful context than the familiar “cheap Chinese frame” label, which says nothing about fit, current specifications or support.

At the time of checking, both the A9 and A22 frames were advertised around $730 on ICAN's international storefront. The A9 had the broader size and paint selection; the A22 listing showed much narrower live availability. Complete-bike prices ranged much higher depending on components and region.

This is a researched buying analysis, not a claim that we completed a long-term road test. The aim is to identify what the current listings prove, what UCI approval does and does not mean, and which costs are missing from a frameset price.

Current ICAN Road Options at a Glance

The frame prices are attractive, but sale pricing and destination restrictions can change. Use the checkout for the final currency, shipping origin, tax and duty position. A product visible on one European or Asian storefront may not ship to another region.

ICAN A9: The Better-Documented Frameset

The A9 is the clearer buying proposition because ICAN publishes useful fit and component details. The current page lists Toray T700/T800 carbon, full internal routing, a BB86 shell, 12x100/12x142 mm thru-axles, flat-mount disc brakes and support for electronic shifting.

The claimed unpainted size-52 weights are 1,090 g for the frame, 410 g for the fork and 320 g for the seatpost. Those figures are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements, and paint plus hardware will increase the finished weight.

The 28C tire specification is the most limiting line for many modern road buyers. A nominal 28 mm tire can measure wider on a broad rim. Ask ICAN whether the limit means label size or measured width and how much physical clearance remains with the intended wheelset.

ICAN A22: Similar Price, Different Availability

The A22 was also listed at $730, with internal routing and BB86, but the live international page showed only a 45 cm UDM variant at the time of checking. Other regional pages describe T700/T800 construction and a claimed 1,119 g frame weight, but regional inventory and terms should not be mixed into a single universal specification.

The practical decision is therefore not simply A9 versus A22 on paper. It is whether the correct A22 size, cockpit and finish are actually available from a storefront that ships to you. A discounted frame in the wrong size is not value.

Do not assume that “aero” means one frame is measurably faster. ICAN does not provide a directly comparable, independent drag dataset for these two frames on the listings checked.

Fit and the Integrated Cockpit

ICAN offers three integrated cockpit combinations: 400x90, 420x100 and 440x110 mm. That is better than one fixed size, but width and stem length are bundled. A rider who needs a 380 mm bar with a 110 mm stem, or 420 mm with a 90 mm stem, may not be served by the stock options.

Before ordering, compare frame stack and reach with a comfortable bike and calculate the complete handlebar coordinates. Include the headset cover, spacers, stem angle, bar reach and hood position. Ask for the maximum permitted spacer stack and minimum steerer insertion.

Internal hoses complicate later changes. Switching cockpit dimensions may require disconnecting and re-bleeding the brakes. Headset-bearing replacement can also involve more labor if hoses pass through the bearing. These are not ICAN-specific defects; they are ownership costs of integrated road bikes.

BB86, Brakes, Wheels, and Compatibility

The A9 uses BB86, so the bottom bracket must match both the frame shell and crank spindle. Shimano 24 mm road cranks are straightforward with the correct BB86 unit. Larger spindles can require thin bearings or special solutions. Decide on the crank before buying the bottom bracket.

The frame listing specifies front 160 mm and rear 140 mm flat-mount rotors. Confirm the included mounting hardware, caliper adapters and maximum rotor sizes. Wheel compatibility should include axle standards, freehub body, rotor interface and measured tire width—not only “700C disc wheel.”

Ask whether every grommet, cover, axle, hanger, headset piece and cockpit spacer is included. A missing proprietary part can delay a build longer than a missing groupset component.

What UCI Approval Means—and What It Does Not

ICAN describes the A9 as UCI approved. For a rider entering relevant sanctioned events, that can be valuable because the named frameset is intended to comply with the UCI's technical regulations and approval protocol.

It should not be described as a structural safety certification. UCI approval does not mean that the frame has the same stiffness, impact resistance, fatigue life or manufacturing control as every WorldTour frame. It also does not replace applicable consumer product standards or a warranty.

The old article made the same mistake with ICAN wheels by presenting UCI approval as independent proof of fatigue and impact quality. UCI wheel approval and frameset approval concern competition equipment rules; buyers should evaluate safety-test documentation, warranty and product-specific instructions separately.

Frameset vs Complete Bike

ICAN does sell complete road bikes, contrary to older descriptions of the brand as frames-and-wheels only. Complete builds can reduce compatibility work, but a product title such as “Shimano R8020” still requires a full component list. R8020 is an older 11-speed Ultegra hydraulic generation, not the current 12-speed Ultegra Di2 system.

Request a dated build sheet for any complete bike. Confirm shifters, derailleurs, crank, cassette, chain, calipers, rotors, wheel hubs, freehub, tires, cockpit and saddle. Regional pages can retain older configurations long after newer groupsets launch.

Warranty, Warehouses, and Returns

ICAN operates regional storefronts and warehouse options, but availability and terms are not identical worldwide. Some pages describe a two-year manufacturing-defect warranty for frames and rims, original-owner restrictions, registration or warranty-card requirements, and different freight responsibility after an initial period.

Read the policy attached to the exact seller and destination. Before payment, get written answers to these questions:

1. Which warehouse will ship the frame?
2. Are tax, duty and brokerage included?
3. Who pays return freight for an approved defect?
4. Is warranty registration required, and by what deadline?
5. Are paint, bearings, cockpit and small parts covered for the same duration?
6. Is there a restocking fee for a non-defective return?
7. Where can replacement hangers, spacers and seatpost hardware be purchased?

Regional inventory is useful because it can shorten shipping and simplify tax, but it is not the same as a local dealer performing fit, inspection and labor.

Inspection and First-Build Checklist

When the frame arrives, photograph the unopened box and every component. Check for shipping damage, paint cracks, soft areas, loose inserts, thread damage and missing hardware before assembly.

A competent mechanic should inspect headset fit, BB86 shell dimensions, brake mounts, hanger alignment, seatpost insertion, axle threads and tire clearance. Follow ICAN's torque documentation for the exact frame and cockpit. Generic torque values from another frame are not adequate.

After the first rides, recheck headset preload, rotor alignment, shifting, seatpost position and wheel tension. Preserve serial numbers, warranty documents and the final parts list.

Is ICAN Good Value?

ICAN's current value proposition is credible but narrower than “premium performance for one-quarter the price.” The A9 offers a well-documented, integrated carbon frameset around $730 with multiple sizes and cockpit options. The compromises include a 28C listed tire specification, bundled cockpit dimensions, internal-routing labor and region-dependent service.

The right comparison is the landed, ride-ready build cost versus a locally sold complete bike. Add shipping, tax, bottom bracket, groupset, wheels, tires, rotors, saddle, bar tape, workshop labor and first service. Then assign value to local fit and warranty help.

Our verdict: ICAN can be a strong choice for an experienced builder who verifies geometry, exact stock and support terms. It is less suitable for a first-time buyer who expects a dealer to solve fit and integration problems. The product should be judged as a specific A9 or A22 configuration—not by broad claims about all direct-sale carbon.

Useful Build Products

These links cover tools and consumables discussed above. Follow ICAN and component instructions and confirm tool ranges before use.

• Bicycle torque wrench kit
• BB86 bottom bracket press tool
• Carbon bicycle assembly paste

Affiliate disclosure: RydeCruz may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Product availability and prices can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are ICAN A9 and A22 frames?

Both were listed around $730 on the international pages checked. Sale pricing, currency, size availability, shipping and destination restrictions can change, so verify the live checkout.

Is the ICAN A9 UCI approved?

ICAN lists the A9 as UCI approved. If sanctioned racing matters, verify the exact model in the current UCI approved-frameset list and check the physical approval label. Approval concerns competition regulations, not guaranteed durability.

What is the maximum tire size on the A9?

The current detailed specification lists 700x28C. Ask whether this is labeled or measured width and confirm clearance with the intended rim, because actual tire width varies.

Does ICAN sell complete road bikes?

Yes. Current regional pages list complete A9 and A22 bikes with different drivetrain options. Exact components, sizes and destination availability vary, so request a dated build sheet.

Is the A9 better than the A22?

The A9 had broader current availability and clearer official specifications when checked. The A22 may suit a rider who prefers its geometry, but only if the correct size, cockpit and replacement parts are confirmed.

Does ICAN have a two-year warranty?

Several regional ICAN pages state two-year manufacturing-defect coverage for frames and rims. Registration, shipping responsibility, original-owner rules and exclusions vary. Read the policy for the exact storefront used.