Abstract: An identification technique is used to construct reduced order models (ROMs) for the cylinder wake flow at subcritical Reynolds numbers (Re <47) using CFD simulation data. ROM-based aeroelastic models are then found by coupling the structural motion equations and ROMs. The impacts of structural frequency, mass ratio and mount style on the instability boundaries are investigated. It is found that self-excited oscillations, accompanied by vortex shedding are possible at Re as low as 20 for one freedom transversely suspended cylinder, as the structural frequency gets close to that of the most unstable mode of flow. The release of rotational freedom could further increase the instability of the coupled system and the critical Re can be reduced to 18. ROM-based method not only has high efficiency but also profoundly shows that the inherent instability of the coupled system is induced by the unstable of the structure mode. Therefore, in the unstable region, the vibration frequency of the coupled system is synchronized with the natural frequency of the cylinder.