Our X-LAB RS7 review rounds up what riders and bike shops overseas are saying about the bike, the honest pros and cons, and who it suits. The RS7 starts at $2,999 with Shimano 105, or $3,999 with 105 Di2. Both builds include a full carbon frame, Branta carbon wheels and a built-in power meter.
If you want the full spec rundown first, read our earlier guide: X-LAB RS7: The Best-Value Carbon Road Bike Right Now. This post is the other side of the story. It covers how the riding community has reacted since the RS7 landed.
X-LAB RS7 at a glance
| Build | Colour | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano 105 (mechanical) | White · Black | $2,999 |
| Shimano 105 Di2 (electronic) | White · Black | $3,999 |
| Frame and fork | Toray T700 carbon | |
| Wheels | Branta C45 carbon | |
| Power meter | Branta crankset, measures both legs, with Apple Find My | |
| Tyres | 700x32c (32mm is the maximum) | |
| Claimed weight | 8.49kg (size L) | |
How the cycling community reacted to the X-LAB RS7
The RS7 arrived with a lot of noise. Overseas, it was quickly called one of the most talked-about road bikes of the year. Some online reviewers went further and claimed it gives you everything a big-brand bike gives you for about half the price.
So, does it live up to that? The most useful answer we found came from a US bike shop owner writing on the Escape Collective community forum. He sells big brands as well as X-LAB, and he rides a lot of bikes. His view was balanced. In short, he said the RS7 is not as good as rival bikes that cost roughly twice as much. However, he also called both RS7 builds excellent bikes and said they are a lot of fun to ride. He added that he would happily take one on a long, hilly ride.
Meanwhile, other overseas shops have pointed to the same thing again and again: the power meter. It comes standard, so you are not paying extra or fitting one later. Most riders would need to spend a lot more to add one to another bike.
As a result, the general verdict is clear. The RS7 is not a magic bike that beats everything. Instead, it is a genuinely good carbon road bike at a price that is hard to match.
X-LAB RS7 review: the pros
- A power meter in the box. The Branta crankset measures power from both legs. It also has Apple Find My built in, so you can track the bike if it goes missing.
- Carbon wheels from day one. Most bikes at this price come with alloy wheels. Carbon wheels are usually the first upgrade riders make, and the RS7 already has them.
- Full carbon frame and fork. Plus a one-piece carbon handlebar and an aero carbon seatpost.
- Light for the money. X-LAB claims 8.49kg in size L, with the power meter and carbon wheels fitted.
- Well built. The US shop owner said X-LAB bikes are some of the easiest and quickest bikes to put together and tune that his shop has carried.
- Fun to ride. Riders keep coming back to the same word: fun. It is quick, comfortable and easy to live with.
- Comfortable tyres. It comes on 32mm tyres, which smooth out rough roads.
X-LAB RS7 review: the cons
- Tight tyre clearance. X-LAB says 32mm tyres fit, and that is what the bike comes with. However, the US shop owner found 32mm very tight at the back. He would not go bigger than 30mm. So if you want wider tyres, look at a gravel bike instead.
- Less room to adjust the fit. The one-piece handlebar and stem looks clean. But you can’t tilt the bars or change the stem height the way you can with separate parts. Also, the hidden cables are designed around the Branta bar, so fitting your own bar is not simple.
- Sizing can be different. The same shop owner often tells customers to size up on X-LAB bikes. That is the opposite of the usual advice. So it is worth getting sized before you buy.
- Stock tyres are just okay. Several shops say many riders swap them for better tyres.
- Early cassettes shifted poorly. According to the US shop owner, the first 105 bikes there came with X-LAB branded cassettes that shifted badly. X-LAB has since moved to Shimano cassettes, which fixed it. Ask us what is fitted to the bike you are looking at.
- Power numbers may not match your other meter. In Velo’s test of the X-LAB GT8 gravel bike, which uses a similar alloy Branta crank, the meter read 8 to 10 watts higher than Garmin pedals. Even so, it followed every change in effort perfectly. So it works well for training, as long as you set your numbers on this bike.
- More to charge on the Di2 build. The shifting battery and the power meter both need charging.
Is the X-LAB RS7 for you?
The RS7 is a great fit if you…
- Want your first serious road bike, or a big step up from an entry-level bike.
- Have a budget of around $3,000 to $4,000 and want carbon everything.
- Want to start training with power without buying a power meter separately.
- Ride group rides, Beach Road loops, the Dandenongs or long weekend rides, and want comfort as well as speed.
Look at something else if you…
- Want a pure race bike. The RS7 has a more relaxed, all-day fit. For racing, the X-LAB AD8 is the stiffer, faster option. The same US shop owner called the AD8 the gem of the range.
- Want tyres wider than 30–32mm. The X-LAB GT8 gravel bike takes much wider tyres.
- Need lots of fit adjustment. If you need a very upright or very low position, talk to us first about the one-piece bar.
Mechanical or Di2: which RS7 should you choose?
- RS7 105 Mechanical ($2,999) – the value pick. Same frame, wheels and power meter. Cable shifting is simple and reliable.
- RS7 105 Di2 ($3,999) – the $1,000 extra buys electronic shifting. Shifts are lighter and more precise, and they stay that way. It is the sweet spot if your budget stretches.
Also, if you want to see the rest of the range, browse all X-LAB bikes or read the story behind every X-LAB AD9 edition.
Our take
We think the community has it right. The RS7 is not a bike that makes everything else pointless. However, it is the easiest way we know to get carbon wheels, a carbon frame and a power meter for under $4,000. Plus, it is a genuinely fun bike to ride. Get the size right, keep tyres at 30–32mm, and it is hard to fault for the money.
X-LAB RS7 FAQ
How much is the X-LAB RS7 in Australia?
The RS7 is $2,999 with Shimano 105 mechanical shifting and $3,999 with Shimano 105 Di2.
Is the X-LAB RS7 a race bike or an endurance bike?
It sits in the middle. It has race-inspired looks and carbon wheels, but the fit is more relaxed for long rides. For racing, look at the AD8 or AD9.
What is the biggest tyre the RS7 can fit?
X-LAB says 32mm, which is what the bike comes with. Riders report 32mm is tight, so 30–32mm is the sensible range.
Is the Branta power meter accurate?
X-LAB claims ±1% accuracy. Testing on a sister bike found it can read a little high next to other meters, but it tracks changes in effort very consistently. That makes it a good training tool.
Should I size up on the RS7?
Sometimes. X-LAB sizing can run differently to other brands, so we recommend a sizing check before you order.
Where can I buy the X-LAB RS7 in Melbourne?
Port Melbourne Cycles at 107 Bay Street, Port Melbourne. You can order online, call us, or come in for help with sizing.
Ready to ride the X-LAB RS7?
Browse the X-LAB RS7 range or all X-LAB bikes. Want help with sizing or checking availability? Contact Port Melbourne Cycles and we’ll help you pick the right bike.