X-LAB RS7: The Best-Value Carbon Road Bike Right Now

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The X-LAB RS7 is, in our view, the best-value carbon road bike you can buy right now. It comes with a built-in power meter, Branta carbon wheels and a full carbon frame from $2,999, and with Shimano 105 Di2 electronic shifting for $3,999. Most bikes at this price give you none of those.

Here’s what you get, who it suits, and why we rate it so highly.

Why the X-LAB RS7 is the best-value road bike right now

The RS7 is a carbon all-rounder that sits between an endurance bike and a race bike. Quick when you push, comfy on a long Sunday loop.

What makes it such good value is what’s already on it:

  • A power meter, built in. The Branta crankset measures your watts out of the box, with Apple Find My tracking too. On most bikes a power meter is an expensive extra.
  • Carbon wheels as standard. Branta C45 deep-section carbon wheels. Most bikes at this price come on alloy wheels, and a carbon upgrade is usually the first thing riders buy.
  • A full carbon frame and fork in Toray carbon, with room for 32 mm tyres.
  • A one-piece carbon cockpit with hidden cables.
  • Shimano 105 or 105 Di2, so you can choose mechanical or electronic shifting.

Put simply, the RS7 105 Di2 at $3,999 gives you electronic shifting, carbon wheels and a power meter. Usually you’d need to add the wheels and power meter yourself, at a cost of thousands. Meanwhile, the RS7 105 mechanical at $2,999 keeps the same frame, wheels and power meter with cable shifting. That’s why we think it’s the best-value carbon road bike on the market right now.

X-LAB RS7 105 Di2 Angel Wing White
X-LAB RS7 – White – pearly white with a subtle contour-map pattern. 105 Di2 β†’ or 105 mechanical β†’
X-LAB RS7 105 Di2 Singularity Black
X-LAB RS7 – Black – stealthy black with the same tonal contour detail. 105 Di2 β†’ or 105 mechanical β†’

Who the RS7 is for

Riders stepping up from an alloy or entry-level carbon bike, weekend bunch riders, and anyone who wants to start training with power. Also, if you’d rather spend on rides than upgrades, this is the bike.

Who makes the X-LAB RS7?

X-LAB is the performance brand of XDS, a bike maker founded in 1995 in Shenzhen, China. XDS is one of the largest bike manufacturers in the world and makes its own carbon and its own Branta components. As a result, it can fit parts like power meters and carbon wheels without paying another brand’s mark-up. It’s also the bike sponsor of the XDS Astana WorldTour team, whose AD9 race bike shares the RS7’s design thinking.

X-LAB RS7 FAQ

How much is the X-LAB RS7 in Australia?

At Port Melbourne Cycles, the RS7 is $2,999 with Shimano 105 and $3,999 with 105 Di2.

Does the RS7 really include a power meter?

Yes. Both the 105 and 105 Di2 versions use a Branta crankset with a built-in power meter and Apple Find My tracking.

What tyre size fits the RS7?

The RS7 takes tyres up to 32 mm wide, so it rides smoothly on rough roads.

Is the RS7 a race bike or an endurance bike?

It sits between the two: quick enough for bunch rides, comfortable enough for long weekends. If you want an out-and-out aero race bike, look at the X-LAB AD9.

Where can I buy the X-LAB RS7 in Melbourne?

Port Melbourne Cycles at 107 Bay Street, Port Melbourne. You can order online, or call us to check availability and get help with sizing.

Find your X-LAB RS7 at Port Melbourne Cycles

Every new bike from PMC includes a free first service and bike fit, 30 days of free bike insurance, and full Australian warranty. Browse the X-LAB RS7 range. Questions? Contact us and we’ll help you choose.