First Impressions: $3,199 X-LAB GT8 Gravel Bike Is Value Packed

Chinese brand XDS, known for its involvement with the XDS-Astana Team, has launched a nine-model range in the US market, including the X-LAB GT8, a carbon gravel bike positioned as a versatile and value-packed option rather than a race-focused machine. Priced at $3,199, the GT8 combines modern design features such as internal cable routing, integrated cockpit, and generous tyre clearance, crafted from durable Toray T800 carbon fibre. The bike’s geometry and construction emphasise comfort and compliance, with features like chatter-damping seatstays and a unique seat tube cluster, making it suitable for a variety of gravel adventures. The GT8’s build kit impresses with a reliable Shimano GRX 715 1x Di2 groupset, paired with a wide-range 10-51 cassette and a 40-tooth chainring, offering versatility for both fast gravel sections and steep climbs. The bike’s braking system utilises Shimano GRX 715 levers and calipers, praised for their balance of road feel and performance. Notably, the Branta alloy crankset, an in-house component from X-LAB/XDS, includes an integrated power meter with Apple Find My functionality, a practical feature for security and convenience. This crankset also features a rechargeable battery, though its long-term durability remains to be fully assessed. Branta, X-LAB/XDS’s proprietary brand, supplies the majority of the bike’s components, including the C45 Gravel Carbon wheelset, carbon cockpit, and seatpost. The wheels feature a 45mm carbon rim with steel spokes and come tubeless-ready, shod with Continental Terra Trail 700x45c tyres, providing a solid foundation for both racing and exploration. The cockpit offers a semi-integrated design with a 90mm stem and 38mm wide handlebars with slight flare, which may suit many riders but could feel narrow for those accustomed to wider bars. The overall aesthetic is clean and understated, though some elements, such as the weave pattern, feel slightly dated. Weighing in at just over 9kg (20.02lbs) in a size medium, the GT8 is competitive for a gravel bike not explicitly designed for racing. It is available in two colourways—Afterburner Black and Slipstream—with identical specifications. While the bike lacks UCI approval, a certification becoming more common as gravel racing grows, this is unlikely to deter most riders given the discipline’s still-evolving regulations. Early ride impressions suggest the GT8 delivers a comfortable and capable experience on mixed terrain, aligning well with its positioning as a solid, everyday gravel bike rather than a top-tier race machine. Overall, the X-LAB GT8 represents a compelling entry into the gravel market, offering a well-rounded package of modern features, dependable components, and thoughtful touches like integrated storage and security features at an accessible price point. Its emphasis on versatility and durability over outright weight savings or race pedigree could appeal