Unveiling the Truth: Can China's X-Lab AD9 Challenge the World's Top Race Bikes?
In a groundbreaking move, the XDS Astana WorldTour team has chosen the X-Lab AD9 as its race bike, marking a first for a Chinese bike brand to sponsor a WorldTour team. This bold step sets the stage for a direct comparison with renowned brands like Cervélo, Colnago, Specialized, and Trek.
XDS, the carbon experts behind X-Lab, boasts that the AD9 is a wind tunnel-designed marvel, claiming it rivals the best aero bikes on the market. However, the AD9 differs from its competitors in some key aspects. It lacks the integrated bottle designs seen on bikes like the Wilier Filante SLR or Trek Madone, and its down tube, while wide, doesn't quite match the depth of tubes on bikes like the Ridley Noah Fast 3.0.
But here's where it gets controversial: looks can be deceiving. We've seen in our tests that an outlandish design doesn't always guarantee superior performance. The addition of a rider can significantly alter the results, as we'll soon discover with the X-Lab AD9.
One intriguing aspect of the AD9 is the scarcity of data available. XDS hasn't released specific performance metrics, leaving us to rely on our own wind tunnel tests to evaluate this Chinese contender.
To ensure an unbiased comparison, we followed a strict testing protocol, using the same methods as our previous wind tunnel tests. We pitted the AD9 against a baseline bike, the 2015 Trek Emonda ALR, in various setups: bike-only, with-rider, and bike-only with standardized wheels.
Our tests covered seven different yaw angles, simulating various wind conditions. We measured the bikes' performance at 40 km/h, a typical speed for amateur races and pro breakaways. By keeping the baseline bike consistent, we could accurately quantify the performance differences between the AD9 and its competitors.
In addition to the AD9, we tested a range of other bikes on the same day, including the Cinelli Aeroscoop, Seka Spear, and Enve Melee. These results will be published soon, offering an even broader comparison.
Our testing methodology was meticulous, ensuring repeatability and accuracy. We measured each setup at different yaw angles, capturing data for both bike-only and rider-on tests. The wind tunnel was tared before each test, ensuring precise measurements.
The results are in, and they reveal some intriguing insights. The raw CdA data shows how each bike handles varying wind angles. The X-Lab AD9, while not as sail-like as the Factor ONE, performs consistently with or without a rider. It sits in the middle of the table when compared to other bikes we tested, with a notable 20.81-watt saving over the Emonda baseline.
And this is the part most people miss: the impact of wheels. We also tested the AD9 with a set of Enve SES 4.5 wheels, a common practice with aero bikes. Surprisingly, the AD9's performance remained largely unchanged, suggesting that the supplied XDS Branta carbon wheels are more than adequate.
The X-Lab AD9 has proven its mettle, challenging the established brands of the WorldTour. It may not be as fast as the radical Factor ONE or the Grand Tour-winning Cervélo S5, but it holds its own against stalwarts like the Pinarello Dogma F. Its consistent performance, whether with a rider or not, and its ability to work well with different wheelsets, make it a formidable contender.
The XDS Astana Team's strong showing in 2025, with two WorldTour victories and a 4th-place finish in the UCI Team rankings, is a testament to the AD9's capabilities. Chinese bike manufacturers have arrived on the WorldTour scene, offering high-performance bikes at a fraction of the cost of their European and American counterparts.
So, will we see more Chinese brands making waves in the WorldTour? Will the X-Lab AD9 become the next bike of choice for cycling enthusiasts? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the cycling world is about to get a lot more competitive, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.
What do you think? Is the X-Lab AD9 a game-changer, or just another bike in a crowded market? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
