KT Cycling
7.5/10
How we read this review
Month of riding and racing; calls the spec list ridiculous for the price
X-Lab RS7 Review: The $2K Bike Disrupting the IndustryX-Lab RS7
![X-Lab RS7 [Shimano 105 Mechanical]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0762/9907/5895/files/Artboard1_72473da3-29e8-494a-a8f6-80560a3f398c.png)
![X-Lab RS7 [Shimano 105 Mechanical]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0762/9907/5895/files/Artboard1_7c73aca3-2b19-46f9-9c47-7b24f87e29c7.png)
Hover to zoomPhotos from The Cutting Edge
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X-Lab RS7
Est. tax $153.09 for 43215 (Ohio average) · Shipping set by The Cutting Edge at checkout · 19 listings at 15 stores
Build: Shimano 105
| Frame | XDS carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | XDS carbon |
| Crankset | Branta alloy, 52/36T, 24mm steel spindle |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-R9012, 12-speed (11-34T) |
| Wheelset | Branta C45 base carbon, stainless steel spokes |
| Tires | Branta R332, 700x32c, 60 TPI |
What these specs mean
Shimano road groupsets
- Claris
- Sora
- Tiagra
- 105This one
- Ultegra
- Dura-Ace
11 or 12-speed, mechanical or Di2. The sweet spot for most riders
A groupset is the shifters, derailleurs, brakes, crankset and cassette. Higher tiers are lighter, shift more crisply and have more gears; most riders stop noticing a difference above 105.
About this item
- Full carbon frame and fork with Shimano 105 mechanical groupset for optimal speed and durability.
- Branta C45 base carbon wheelset: Delivers lightweight strength and stability for efficient riding
- Shimano 105 mechanical groupset: Ensures precise shifting and long-lasting reliability
- Aero carbon seatpost: Reduces drag for improved aerodynamic performance
- Race-inspired geometry: Balances speed and comfort for versatile riding
- Apple Find My anti-theft technology: Enhances security for daily commuters
Why it scores 7.5: Very good, from 7 sources. Strongest on reliability. See the breakdown
Every store selling it
19 listings at 15 stores, lowest first. Ask the stores what shipping to 43215 costs to see who is cheapest at the door.
| Store | Option | Price | Delivered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory Bicycle Studio Lowest new | Shimano 105 | $2,099.00 | · | View |
| X-LAB | Shimano 105 | $2,099.00 | · | View |
| Contender Bicycles | Shimano 105 | $2,099.00 | · | View |
| BikingBicycleGarage | Shimano 105 | $2,099.00 | · | View |
| Cambria Bike | Shimano 105 · Angel Wing White | $2,099.00 | · | View |
| Around the Cycle | Shimano 105 | $2,099.00 | · | View |
| The Cutting Edge Viewing | Shimano 105 | $2,099.99 | This one | |
| Espresso Bikes | Shimano 105 | $2,099.99 | View | |
| Outpost Richmond | Shimano 105 | $2,099.99 | View | |
| Strictly Bicycles | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| Sports Basement | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| Colorado Cyclist | With carbon wheels & power meter · Singularity Black | $2,899.00 | View | |
| Grava Adventure Corporation | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| BikingBicycleGarage | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| Gila Hike & Bike | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| Another Bike Shop | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| Victory Bicycle Studio | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.00 | View | |
| twohubs cycling boutique | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.99 | View | |
| The Cutting Edge | With carbon wheels & power meter | $2,899.99 | View |
How it scores
Very good · likely 6.8 to 8.1 · medium confidence
From 6 video reviews, 5 owner reports, 12 community posts.
Your score
What matters to you? Tap to weight the score. Tap again for more weight.
Quick picks:
By what matters
Ride comfort4 reviews · what they said6.7
- Comfortable ride; good touch points at cockpit and stock saddle The Ride with Ben Delaney · sponsored
- Ride and handling section; reviewer seems positive overall David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes · sponsored
- Performs great on 3-hour Saturday group ride YouTube comment on KT Cycling
Speed & weight5 reviews · what they said6.6
- Feels solid and makes you want to ride it fast YouTube comment on KT Cycling
- Relatively lightweight carbon frame and wheels; handles well The Ride with Ben Delaney · sponsored
- Says it feels fast and looks sharp, no hard data Victory Bicycle Studio · sponsored
Components7 reviews · what they said7.6
- Upgraded to SRAM Force E1 groupset; bike has more personality YouTube comment on Stotts Bicycles
- Top spec with Shimano 105 Di2, carbon wheels and bar for $2,899 David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes · sponsored
- Power meter tested within about 3 watts of a Wahoo trainer YouTube comment on KT Cycling
Tire room & versatility4 reviews · what they said6.6
- Fitted Continental GP 5000 tubeless tyres; loves the result YouTube comment on KT Cycling
- Corsa Pro tubeless tyres fitted; bike came alive YouTube comment on Stotts Bicycles
- Tyre clearance section and testing with 35mm tyres David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes · sponsored
- Called all-road, but 32mm tyre clearance is slim pickings The Ride with Ben Delaney · sponsored
Reliability8 reviews · what they said7.7
- Feels solid YouTube comment on KT Cycling
- Mechanical shifting is low maintenance YouTube comment on KT Cycling
- Power meter now seems decently reliable and usable after firmware fix The Ride with Ben Delaney · sponsored
- power meter readings fluctuate wildly (2 reports) The Ride with Ben Delaney · sponsored
Value for moneyprice against similar products5.1
By source
Lab and expert tests2 sources · 50% of the score7.6
Video reviews4 sources · 30% of the score7.3
Community discussion8% of the score9.0
Problems owners mention
- not geared for climbing
- geometry keeps rider forward
- aggressive geometry (per video)
Out of 10. Each source is weighted by how reliable it is, how much data it has and how recent it is; sponsored videos count half, and the brand’s own videos don’t count. How the score works
Reviews and videos
Stotts BicyclesSponsored by the brand
6.0/10
How we read this review
10-hour, 170-mile head-to-head versus Cannondale Synapse; value question left open
10 Hours on the X-LAB RS7… Do We Still Like It?David Arthur - Just Ride BikesSponsored by the brand
8.5/10
How we read this review
Titled wanting to give it 10/10; covers ride, tyre clearance and 35mm testing
I Wanted to Give This $2,900 Road Bike 10/10 (X-Lab RS7)David Arthur - Just Ride BikesSponsored by the brand
7.0/10
How we read this review
First look comparing RS7 and AD9; asks if western brands are cooked by X-Lab prices
The End of Expensive Bikes? X-Lab RS7 & AD9 First LookThe Ride with Ben DelaneySponsored by the brand
8.2/10
How we read this review
Quirks but overall killer value; relatively light, comfortable, handles well for $2k
X-Lab RS7 test reveals a few quirks but overall killer valueThe Ride with Ben DelaneySponsored by the brand
7.0/10
How we read this review
Firmware update greatly improved power meter; now a decently reliable training tool
X-Lab fixed its power meter, mostlyOwner
Owned couple months, few hundred miles; performs well on group rides, great value
not geared for climbing
YouTube comment on KT CyclingCommunity
Asked local shop whether Di2 105 was offered; ordered one, arriving July
YouTube comment on KT CyclingCommunity
Power meter within about 3 watts of a Wahoo trainer; seems very accurate
YouTube comment on KT CyclingCommunity
Likes mechanical shifting being kept; low maintenance, no batteries
YouTube comment on KT CyclingOwner
Changed bar tape, SRAM Force E1 groupset and tubeless tyres; bike came alive
YouTube comment on Stotts BicyclesCommunity
Says aggressive geometry is fine for endurance rides if steerer is not cut
aggressive geometry (per video)
YouTube comment on KT CyclingOwner
First full carbon road bike; feels solid and demands to be ridden fast
YouTube comment on KT CyclingOwner
Swapped to Continental GP 5000 tubeless tyres and absolutely loves it
YouTube comment on KT CyclingCommunity
Impressed by internal routing and tidy stem and head tube look
YouTube comment on KT CyclingCommunity
Promotional shop post calling it a carbon bike that punches above its price
Victory Bicycle StudioSources we checked
- Shopify Global Catalognot run yet
- Hacker Newsnot run yet
- Redditnot connected yet
- YouTube reviewsnot run yet
- Expert reviews (Claude web search)not run yet
- Video reviews, watched (Gemini)not connected yet
- Xnot connected yet
- Expert reviews (web)not connected yet
- Browsing agent (computer use)not connected yet
Compare with similar items
| This itemX-Lab RS7 |  RS5 |  X LABS RS5 Shimano 105 Cable Road Bike, WaveBreaker White | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer rating | Highest rated | ||
| Price | $2,099.99 | $1,399.00 | $1,299.99 Lowest price |
| Doorprice Score | 7.5Doorprice Score Best score | 6.5Doorprice Score | — |
| Sold by | The Cutting Edge | X-LAB | Bixby Bicycles |
| See details | See details | See details |
Product description
FRAME XDS Carbon Frame, Toray T-700 FORK XDS Carbon Fork, Toray T-700, 100x12mm Thru-axle HANDLEBAR / STEM Branta Carbon Integrated SEATPOST XDS Carbon Seatpost, Aero Profile REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105 RD-R7100 FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105 FD-R7100 SHIFTERS Shimano 105 ST-R7120 BRAKES Shimano 105 BR-R7170 CASSETTE CS-R9012, 12-Speed, 11-34T CRANKSET Branta Alloy Power Meter Crankset, 52-36T, 24mm Steel Spindle, Apple Find My Anti-Theft Technology BOTTOM BRACKET BSA 24mm ROTORS Shimano SM-RT70, F:160mm R:160mm CHAIN SUMC SX12 WHEELSET Branta C45 Base Carbon Wheelset, Stainless Steel Spokes TIRES Branta R332, 700x32C, 60TPI Max Tire Clearance: 32C SADDLE Branta R302, Steel Rails WEIGHT 8.49 kg / 18.67 lbs (Size L) SIZE OPTIONS XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL
From the seller’s listing.
Product details
| Frame | XDS carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | XDS carbon |
| Crankset | Branta alloy, 52/36T, 24mm steel spindle |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-R9012, 12-speed (11-34T) |
| Wheelset | Branta C45 base carbon, stainless steel spokes |
| Tires | Branta R332, 700x32c, 60 TPI |
| Brakes | Shimano SM-RT70 F, 160mm rotors |
| Weight | 8.49 kg (18.67 lbs) |
