XMCS - 2026 VRT

[Icyseanfitz]

Yeah sure thing. I’ve been trying to find the time to give my review but I just can’t find enough to do a properly considered one. Will do a write up today though.

Also yes the bars in one of these photos are not aligned with the fork, but have since been.

Looks amazing 😊 what's the saddle?

[bezmozeg]

Just a heads up for anyone that has been communicating with Anna through whatsapp in the past few days/ weeks on this number +86 135 1596 0236, she has just told me that her old Whatsapp account has been hacked and I was communicating with a scammer and sent the money for the frame and wheels to a personal account of the scammer... I am currently trying to figure this out with the bank.

[bezmozeg]

Just a heads up for anyone that has been communicating with Anna through whatsapp in the past few days/ weeks on this number +86 135 1596 0236, she has just told me that her old Whatsapp account has been hacked and I was communicating with a scammer and sent the money for the frame and wheels to a personal account of the scammer... I am currently trying to figure this out with the bank.

An update to the situation, I have verified with other members of the XMCS team that this was indeed the case that Anna's whatsapp account has been hacked but it seems like I was the only person that they managed to get money out of. The XMCS team also said that they take all the responsibility and even if we don't manage to retrieve the money they will fulfill my order as normal! That's 10/10 customer service.

[Willos]

Any news about the All around frame?

[patliean1]

I have really been enjoying my VRT. The bike has endured all my common local roads, including a 110mi/180km ride few weeks ago.

What I find interesting is this bike feels different than the vast majority of the Chinese brands I've ridden over the years. In terms of stiffness, responsiveness, and interaction over bad roads. You would think looking at the design the VRT would feel bluntly stiff like a Winspace T1600 or Scott Foil RC Pro. But it actually reminds me a lot of the Tarmac SL8.

The ride feel is refined. I don't find it to be the stiffest bike in the absolute sense, especially the head tube area. But it's right in line with the SL8 which is a great thing. Perfectly balanced. And I've been rotating the same various wheelsets and tires across all my bikes just to keep the bro science constant.

The main tradeoff with the front end on the VRT - It's lovely in a tailwind. Just fine in a headwind. Not great in crosswind. Slap on a set of 65mm wheels and you will need to be mindful on windy days.

Truthfully I don't love the overall design. I'm more of a all-arounder looking Tavelo Arow or Giant Propel. But it has been growing on me. And it doesn't look like every other bike when I show up to group rides.

If you can get on with the design and the geometry works for you, I can highly recommend the VRT.

[ATGNI]

I love the look of the VRT but for me, the GRT looks even better and has better geometry for what I want from it. I’m going to build a long days/gravel bike with 35mm GP5000. It’ll be low, long and lazy!

[Serge_K]

I love the GRT. It’ll be low, long and lazy!

Please get a SHLONG logo on your downtube.

[yuph1z]

What I find interesting is this bike feels different than the vast majority of the Chinese brands I've ridden over the years. In terms of stiffness, responsiveness, and interaction over bad roads. You would think looking at the design the VRT would feel bluntly stiff like a Winspace T1600 or Scott Foil RC Pro. But it actually reminds me a lot of the Tarmac SL8.

The ride feel is refined. I don't find it to be the stiffest bike in the absolute sense, especially the head tube area. But it's right in line with the SL8 which is a great thing. Perfectly balanced. And I've been rotating the same various wheelsets and tires across all my bikes just to keep the bro science constant.

For it to be on par with Tarmac SL8 in terms of comfort is a big statement for a full on aero bike. Can't wait to receive mine next month 

[ATGNI]

Please get a SHLONG logo on your downtube.

HAHA! Nope, because nothing could be further from the truth! 

[Finiesta]

Watching how good XMCS is going as a brand and the extremely high quality and development trust. Has Peter thought of making in the future a TT / aggressive convertible road bike going all out aero? @Requiem84

[Requiem84]

I don’t know all the things going on in the background, so no idea. Haven’t heard anything pointing in this direction.

I think now the focus is on streamlining the production process, speed, customer support etc. there are so many people and questions coming to XMCS now as the VRT and GRT really are both a home run. Best to first stabilize what you have. Make sure everything goes smooth and then focus on new products.

But then again, with Peter you never know :-).

[Feryll]

Does anyone have photos of the XL and XXL frames ?

[TDFdreams]

Seriously considering purchasing this frame but the main thing stopping me is the UCI approval. It was said that UCI approval could've been gained by August 2026. Considering that they still haven't gotten the approval, does it mean there are some problems with their frame design? I kinda need the UCI approval.

I'm considering using this frame for crit racing and a bit of gravel.
For light gravel, should this frame, combined with Drive SL with 32mm GP 5000 AS TR that ballons to about 34.5mm work well? (System weight - 80kg)

Also, I'm considering purchasing their wheels. Thinking of that 34mm external lightweight wheels but not sure if I should get 50mm or 58mm.
Has anyone tried their 58mm wheels? Are they crosswind stable?

[yuph1z]

Seriously considering purchasing this frame but the main thing stopping me is the UCI approval. It was said that UCI approval could've been gained by August 2026. Considering that they still haven't gotten the approval, does it mean there are some problems with their frame design? I kinda need the UCI approval.

I'm considering using this frame for crit racing and a bit of gravel.
For light gravel, should this frame, combined with Drive SL with 32mm GP 5000 AS TR work that ballons to about 34.5mm? (System weight - 80kg)

Also, I'm considering purchasing their wheels. Thinking of that 34mm external lightweight wheels but not sure if I should get 50mm or 58mm.
Has anyone tried their 58mm wheels? Are they crosswind stable?

According to Peter, they have submitted all the documents and it is pending UCI team to review. I have checked online, it can take UCI up to 6 months to approve upon submission so it is out of their control at this point.

There are a thread in weightweenies that talk about the wheels particularly in 58mm in crosswind. Most of them have positive feedback when it comes to handling crosswind

[ATGNI]

Seriously considering purchasing this frame but the main thing stopping me is the UCI approval. It was said that UCI approval could've been gained by August 2026. Considering that they still haven't gotten the approval, does it mean there are some problems with their frame design? I kinda need the UCI approval.

I'm considering using this frame for crit racing and a bit of gravel.
For light gravel, should this frame, combined with Drive SL with 32mm GP 5000 AS TR that ballons to about 34.5mm work well? (System weight - 80kg)

Also, I'm considering purchasing their wheels. Thinking of that 34mm external lightweight wheels but not sure if I should get 50mm or 58mm.
Has anyone tried their 58mm wheels? Are they crosswind stable?

I have the Drive SL SS58 wheels, XMCS 58/65 wheels (Ti spokes) and some Reserve 57/64. In terms of side winds, the Drive SL are the best. Second, and literally not by much at all are the XMCS 58/65. Third are the Reserves. Again, it's close but I've felt more steering input when using the Reserves.

The biggest difference across them is the weight. The Reserves are heavy, 1550g and that's with DT240 hubs. The Drive SL are 1440g and the XMCS are 1290g.

I've also had a set of XMCS 65/78 and they were super stable too. No issues. The only reason I didn't keep them is that I went to light with the build and they felt a bit noodly on the back.

No hesitation at all in recommending the XMCS wheels.