Get ready for a thrilling journey into the world of cycling! We're about to uncover if China's X-Lab AD9 can truly hold its own against the best bikes in the WorldTour. Can this Chinese contender challenge the established giants? Let's find out!
The X-Lab AD9, the pride of the XDS Astana WorldTour team, marks a significant milestone as the first Chinese bike brand to sponsor a WorldTour team. With this move, XDS aims to compete with renowned names like Cervélo, Colnago, Specialized, and Trek. But can it live up to the hype?
XDS, the carbon experts behind the X-Lab bikes, boasts that the AD9 is a wind tunnel-designed marvel, claiming it rivals the top aero bikes on the market. However, upon closer inspection, we notice some differences. Unlike the sleek designs of bikes like the Wilier Filante SLR ID2 or the Trek Madone, the AD9 lacks integrated bottles or cages. Its down tube, though wide, doesn't quite match the depth of tubes on bikes like the Ridley Noah Fast 3.0 or the Cervélo S5.
But here's where it gets controversial... looks can be deceiving! We've seen some unconventional designs produce incredibly fast frames, only to be slowed down by the addition of a rider. So, the real test is yet to come.
One intriguing aspect of the AD9 is the lack of available data. XDS hasn't released specific details about the bike's performance, leaving us to gather information from race sightings. This lack of data adds an air of mystery to our testing.
We took the AD9 to the wind tunnel at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub, pitting it against a 2015 Trek Emonda ALR as our baseline bike. By maintaining a consistent baseline, we could accurately quantify the performance differences between bikes, regardless of atmospheric conditions.
And this is the part most people miss... the importance of testing protocols! We followed a rigorous protocol, testing each bike in three ways: bike-only, with-rider, and bike-only with standardised wheels. This allowed us to capture accurate and repeatable data while also adding a layer of realism.
We tested at various yaw angles and speeds, ensuring the results were as reliable as possible. The wind tunnel was tared before each test, just like resetting your kitchen scales to zero.
Our results revealed some interesting insights. The AD9's CdA data showed it handled the wind well, with a consistent curve shape, unlike the Factor ONE, which harnessed the wind to its advantage. When a rider was added, the AD9's performance improved, even surpassing the Factor ONE at a 15° yaw angle.
The AD9's simplicity in design, with fewer gaps for turbulent air, allowed it to perform consistently with or without a rider. While the Factor ONE remained faster, the difference was less pronounced when a rider was onboard.
So, how did the AD9 stack up against other bikes? In bike-only tests, it ranked in the bottom third, but with a rider, it moved up to the middle of the table, competing with established brands like Van Rysel and Pinarello. This consistency in performance, regardless of testing conditions, is impressive.
When we tested the AD9 with a set of Enve SES 4.5 wheels, it performed slightly better than with its stock wheels, suggesting the supplied wheels are of high quality. This is a testament to XDS's attention to detail and the AD9's overall performance.
The X-Lab AD9 has proven itself as a capable competitor, challenging the dominance of European and American brands. Its performance in the real world remains to be seen, but based on our wind tunnel testing, XDS's claims hold true.
Will Chinese brands continue to make waves in the WorldTour? Only time will tell. But for now, the X-Lab AD9 is a testament to the growing diversity and innovation in the cycling world.
What do you think? Can the AD9 become the next bike of desire? Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments!
