50% Cheaper than Specialized? The First US-Designed Chinese Gravel Bike
VeloVeloVelo
April 08, 2026
The Chinese manufacturing giant XDS is finally bringing a US-centric gravel bike design straight to local dealers, and the spec sheet is going to terrify Western bike brands.
At $3,199, the X-Lab GT8 comes fully loaded. It’s an aggressive value proposition that redefines what you get for your money. But how does it ride?
We break down the ride feel, the surprisingly good stock cockpit sizing, the data from the included Branta power meter, and why this bike is going to be a massive problem for legacy brands.
Read the full review on the Velo homepage at :https://velo.outsideonline.com/gravel/gravel-gear/xds-x-lab-gt8-review/
00:00 - Intro
00:18 - ride experience
05:14 - XDS doesn't need a story
06:12 - specs discussion
06:29 - Price vs build
06:52 - ride quality and the Pivot Vault
07:50 - the correct size handlebars
08:15 - usability features
08:24 - Drawbacks
08:33 - Is the power meter accurate?
09:01 - Purchase experience and US dealer network
09:15 - Conclusion and should you buy it?
Keywords: pro cycling,road cycling,cyclingtips,the beauty of cycling,road racing,cycling tips,Velo,Velonews,cycling,gravel,gravel bike,road bike,bike tech,bike review
Parts Mentioned
XDS X-LAB GT8 Gravel Bike
Fresh Spring Savings/Mother's Day Savings
Complete BikeXDS X-LAB GT8 Gravel Bike
Created: April 08, 2026The reviewer describes the XDS X-LAB GT8 as a Chinese brand gravel bike designed for the American market, sold through US dealers. He notes it has run-of-the-mill endurance gravel geometry but is comfortable, confidence-inspiring, and reactive. The bike offers impressive specs for its price, including electronic shifting, carbon components, and a power meter, though the geometry is not groundbreaking and the power meter reads slightly high.
AI-Summary
Pros
- First Chinese brand XDS bike built for American consumers and sold through American dealers
- Short, tall, and super comfortable geometry
- Shorter stem works well for the application
- Shimano GRX hood shape is nice
- Perfectly proportioned for getting forearms parallel to the ground in an aero position
- Impressive spec list for the price: electronic shifting, carbon wheels, carbon seat post, carbon cockpit, 55mm tire clearance, UDH, in-frame storage, and power meter
- Very capable bike for having fun on gravel
- Great for long American style races like Unbound or Big Sugar
Cons
- Geometry is fairly run-of-the-mill endurance gravel, nothing noteworthy
- Conservative 70mm bottom bracket drop
- Requires wrangling on fast and loose corners
- Not ideal for gnarly singletrack or fast descents on rough gravel
- Geometry leaves you feeling perched on top versus really in it
- No groundbreaking geometry
- Limited component spec choice: no SRAM build, no frame-only option
- Built-in power meter reads 8 to 10W high compared to dual-sided Garmin power meter pedals
Where to Buy
