The XMCS GRT is a direct-from-China aero gravel race frameset that independent testers and owners agree delivers premium-level construction, huge real-world tyre clearance and low weight for roughly $1,490 (about $2,000 with bar and shipping). Consensus praise centres on value versus name-brand race gravel frames, finish quality and stable, comfortable ride manners; the recurring criticisms are the 46T 1x chainring limit on original moulds, inconsistent information between XMCS websites and email support, a proprietary seatpost, sparse mounts and long lead times.
Pros
- Strong value: $1,490 frame undercuts premium race gravel framesets like the Crux, Checkpoint, Checkmate and S-Works Crux while leaving budget for better components1
- Very large real clearance — 2.2 in tyres leave about 7–8 mm, 57 mm tyres 6 mm all round, and 63 mm beach-race tyres still clear the chainstays23
- Light for its clearance: measured frames of 1,025–1,096 g (S/M) and complete builds of 7.4–8.1 kg23
- Top-notch construction and finish: clean BB threads, faced caliper mounts, good paint detail and no rough edges12
- Smooth, compliant and stable ride — the rear soaks up bumps, it feels planted and fast on rough descents23
- Aero profile with internal downtube storage and geometry closely mimicking the ENVE MOG, with slightly more stack and range1
- Flexible cockpit and drivetrain options: FSA ACR headset takes third-party stems, road cranks work with a 3 mm spacer or offset ring, and 2x fits with about 50 mm tyres23
- Responsive direct customer service — the owner personally answers emails and WhatsApp sales reps are the most reliable contact12
- Little toe overlap even on small sizes with big tyres, and the gravel riser bar with 90 mm flare is well liked23
Cons
- Original moulds cap 1x chainrings at 46T (48T with spacers), limiting riders who want 48–50T, and the website still defaults to the old version so buyers must explicitly request the updated mould123
- Inconsistent information between XMCS websites, slow email replies and at least one wrong handlebar shipped; dealer geometry charts lagged the main site23
- Proprietary aero seatpost and sparse accessories — no storage bags, downtube or chainstay protector, 1x cover plate or manual in the box, and the computer mount is sold separately21
- Few mounts for touring: no fork mounts and no dedicated rack or fender mounts2
- Long lead times — frames ordered in July arrived from mid-October 2026, and custom complete builds take 2.5–3 months3
- Build niggles: on a slammed size S the stock expander plug hits a ridge inside the steerer, the drive-side chainstay is very tight for shift housing, a front brake mount needed slight facing and one headset cover sat with a large gap23
- Road cranks narrow Q-factor by about 3 mm, so heels may rub the wide chainstays; DUB wide is the safer choice3
- No local store or US dealer, so non-EU buyers pay duties and import VAT, and the logo is widely disliked (though decals can be omitted)123
- Steers less sharply than racier gravel bikes and needs more effort to change direction on twisty singletrack3
Key Facts
- Frame price USD 1,490 including paint; frame+bar USD 1,690; frame+bar+wheels USD 2,390 (about $2,000 landed with bar and shipping)12
- Measured frame weights: size S 1,096 g in clear coat without hardware, size M about 1,025 g, size XL 1,370 g painted with UDH; fork 471–473 g23
- Official tyre clearance 57 mm; owners measure 2.2 in (55.5 mm) tyres with about 7–8 mm per side and 63 mm tyres with 4 mm at the chainstays23
- T1000 carbon frame with T47 85.5 mm bottom bracket, UDH, flat mount and a proprietary aero seatpost holding the Di2 battery12
- Chainring limits: original mould 1x 46T (48T with 2–3 mm spacers) and GRX 48/31; updated October 2026 mould takes 1x 48–50T (52T with ~3 mm spacer) and GRX 50/34, but the website still defaults to the old version23
- FSA ACR headset with OD1 steerer, so third-party ACR-compatible stems and covers fit; integrated bar reach is only about 72–77 mm23
- In-frame storage door measures 4x13 cm and 5 cm deep, with no bags supplied2
- Rider plus equipment system weight limit just over 286 lb / 130 kg, backed by a 5-year warranty1
- XMCS's own aero test puts it at CdA 0.301 versus 0.281 for its VRT road bike, 11 W slower at 35 km/h2
- Complete builds weigh 7.4 kg road spec, 7.9 kg race spec and about 8.1–8.97 kg with 2.25 in tyres and power meter pedals23
Reviews & Ratings
13:33The reviewer presents the XMCS GRT as a potential replacement for their Envy Mog, describing it as an aerodynamic race gravel bike with geometry that closely mimics the Mog, plus added aero profile and more tire clearance. They highlight its strong value proposition relative to name-brand competitors, praising its construction quality, low weight, and the responsiveness of the XMCS team, while noting the limited chainring clearance as the main drawback.
21:27The reviewer chose the XMCS GRT gravel frame after considering several premium alternatives, praising its value, tire clearance, aerodynamic profile, downtube storage, and direct customer service from the owner. He built it with a mix of high-end components and planned to test it at Big Sugar Gravel, noting the frame offers professional-level quality at a fraction of the cost of brands like S-Works Crux, Fara GR4, Allied Able, and Tvelo Grow.
The XMCS GRT is a 1x-focused aero gravel race frameset (formerly linked to the AERYS name) with an FSA ACR headset, a slightly sloped top tube for seatpost compliance and huge clearance: 2.2 in tyres on 32 mm rims leave about 7 mm at the rear, 2.3 in tyres measuring 57 mm leave 6 mm all round, and 63 mm beach-race tyres still fit. Size M frames weigh about 1025 g; complete builds are 7.9 kg (Force, beach-race spec) and 8.1 kg (XC spec with 2.25 in tyres). The first customer frames arrived from mid-October 2026, ordered in July, and complete builds are assembled in the Netherlands while frame-only orders ship from China. Early rides describe it as smooth, with a rear end that soaks up bumps, planted on rough gravel and playful, though it steers less sharply than racier gravel bikes. Road cranks work with a 3 mm spacer or a 3 mm offset ring (chainline about 48 mm) but narrow the Q-factor, so check heel clearance; DUB wide is the default. 2x works with roughly 50 mm tyres. Owners note a very tight drive-side chainstay for shift housing, a front brake mount that needed slight facing, and in one case a large headset cover gap that XMCS's dealer had not seen on other builds. Geometry figures on the dealer site lagged the main XMCS site, and the new XS was criticised as too short.
AI Summary
Pros
- Huge clearance: 2.2 in on 32 mm rims leaves about 7 mm, 57 mm tyres 6 mm all round, and 63 mm beach tyres still fit
- Smooth, compliant and stable on rough gravel; the rear soaks up bumps and the bike feels playful
- Light for its clearance: size M frame about 1025 g, builds of 7.9-8.1 kg
more pros in the review
Cons
- Steers less sharply and needs more effort to change direction on twisty singletrack
- Very tight drive-side chainstay: only slim shift housing fits
- Original frames limit 1x to about 46T (48T with some chainlines); a newer version with more chainring clearance raised stiffness worries for one owner
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Size M frame about 1025 g
- Builds: 7.9 kg Force beach-race spec, 8.1 kg XC spec with 2.25 in tyres
- Clearance: 2.2 in on 32 mm rims about 7 mm; 57 mm with 6 mm; 63.3 mm with a 4 mm hex key at the chainstays
more key points in the review
The XMCS GRT is an aero gravel race frame designed with forum member Requiem84 and shown at Eurobike 2026, with 57 mm official tyre clearance, in-frame storage, UDH, T47 85.5 mm, an FSA ACR headset and a proprietary aero seatpost. The frame lists at USD 1490 (about $2000 with bar and shipping). First customer frames arrived in October 2026: a size S weighs 1096 g in clear coat, an XL 1370 g painted, the fork about 470 g; builds range from 7.4 kg in road spec to about 9 kg with 2.25 in tyres. Owners measure 55.5 mm tyres with 7 mm per side and 63 mm tyres with 4 mm at the chainstays. In October 2026 XMCS updated the moulds: the new chainstays take a 1x 48-50T ring (52T with a spacer) and GRX 50/34, while the first frames take 46T 1x and GRX 48/31; the website still defaults to 46T, so the new mould has to be requested. Ride reports call it comfortable, stable and very fast downhill, with one owner finding the steering quicker than expected. XMCS's aero test puts it 11 W slower than its VRT road bike at 35 km/h. Paint and caliper mounts are well finished; criticism centres on the logo, inconsistent information between XMCS's websites and email answers, and missing details like a downtube protector and storage bags.
AI Summary
Pros
- Very large real clearance: a 2.2 in tyre (55.5 mm) leaves about 8 mm everywhere, and 63 mm tyres still have 4 mm at the chainstays
- Aero but comfortable: XMCS measured 11 W slower than the VRT at 35 km/h, and owners report a smooth, compliant rear
- Stable, confident handling on rough descents; races and singletrack reports are enthusiastic
more pros in the review
Cons
- Original moulds limit 1x chainrings to 46T; the website still defaults to that version, so buyers must ask for the updated mould
- Conflicting information between XMCS websites, slow email replies and at least one wrong handlebar shipped; WhatsApp sales reps answer best
- Front derailleur clearance with large rear tyres untested; about 50 mm is the expectation with 2x, 45 mm with SRAM or Campagnolo 13-speed
more cons in the review
Key Points
- Official tyre clearance 57 mm; 2.4 in (61-63 mm WAM) fit with 4-5 mm
- T47 85.5 mm, UDH, flat mount, proprietary aero seatpost (Shimano Di2 battery holder in the post)
- Headset FSA ACR, upper bearing 40x51.8x8 45/36, OD1 steerer
more key points in the review
Where to Buy
| – | $1,490 | |
xmcs.nl OFFLINE Price last checked 5 months ago | €1,540 | – |
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