Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: hazzer19 on January 05, 2026, 01:22:33 AM
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I’ve been following Magene’s recent direction and developments closely and have been using a number of their products for a while (radar, power meter). Over the past few years they’ve clearly been pushing hard on improving their tech, quality and overall brand presence. It feels like they’re aiming well beyond just the value focused enthusiast segment.
Thoughts on whether Magene is at a point where they have what it takes to operate at the very top level of professional cycling? Not just in terms of marketing, but in reliability, performance, support and the expectations that come with sponsoring pro teams.
I’ve seen some recent photos and videos that suggest Magene may already be moving in this direction or at least testing the waters. It raises some interesting questions about how established brands are challenged, how quickly newer players can level up, and what really matters at the WorldTour level.
Curious to hear people’s thoughts on whether Magene belongs on the WorldTour stage or what are they missing to take that next step.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTA3_QCik4E/?igsh=MTc2Z3U2bXM1MDhjNQ==
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XDS-A riders confirmed to be using Magene head units, possibly other stuff. I’d trust a Magene head unit, power meter, heart rate strap, and speed sensor at the WT level. This technology has been around for 15+ years now it’s not rocket science to get decent sensors made, I think it’s about time a Chinese electronics company got into the WT as a supplier. I’ve had good and bad experiences with Magene but it’s clear they are a big operation an can handle the demands
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Very happy with the news, I think that having a few more choices in the "accessories" panorama can only do good for the market, so the brand can take on a little more relevance especially among amateurs who consider themselves more "cool".
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Agree that it's about time non Western brands become well known and trusted by more that those that are feeling a bit adventurous or want to save a few dollars. All of these components are top tier now and just lack the endorsement (paid sponsorship) of the mainstream cycling press.
The C606 looks pretty incredible as a next computer option.
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Yes the 606 works well but it is still not comparable to the Garmin, but it works climbing without having to import a gpx file, it would be nice to have music, there are many shortcomings but they are some updates that I am sure can be solved
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I have a magene C206 Pro on my commuter bike for the past 1.5 years 3000 miles without issues. At 55gram for $20 shipped, you can't get better than that. Very reliable and simple operation. It does 95% of what my Garmin Edge 540 does but at less than 1/10 of the price tag. In fact, I find that the C206 Pro black and white display a lot easier to see some cloudy days than my Garmin's reflective display.
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https://www.instagram.com/mageneofficial/p/DTXOd9klCZu/
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👀 I wonder what components will be used
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👀 I wonder what components will be used
Starting in 2026, XDS Astana Team will rely on Magene’s innovative solutions like the C606 Pro Smart GPS, T500 Smart Trainer, L508 Radar Tail Light, and H613 Heart Rate Monitor to enhance our performance on the road and in the lab.
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A little disappointed, I was hoping for it to be the formal launch of the new electronic groupset at the same time.
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The thing that drives me the craziest is the rechargeable H613 sensor https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005010551936055.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3TgQB19)
you just need to use 2032 batteries. I don’t know if anyone else is already producing similar sensors, but having a single charging cable for both the power meter and the heart rate monitor sounds amazing
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A little disappointed, I was hoping for it to be the formal launch of the new electronic groupset at the same time.
2025 has been incredibly disappointing in groupset news. basically nothing at all :(
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Starting with the components announced makes sense. Could be a good entry point for their partnership with Astana and then build from there.
Seeing a power meter in use and or wheels would be super cool.
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The official post in case anyone missed it https://www.instagram.com/p/DTZ3iR2jOd0/?img_index=1 (https://www.instagram.com/p/DTZ3iR2jOd0/?img_index=1)
Magene quietly stepping into a WorldTour partnership with Astana is actually a pretty big deal, even if it flew under the radar. It’s the first time we’re seeing them properly tested at the very top level, not just in good value alternative territory. Whether you like their products or not, getting daily feedback from WorldTour riders is how brands either level up fast or get exposed. To me it feels less like a marketing flex and more like Magene saying “we’re ready to be taken seriously now” and the next generation of their gear will probably show whether that confidence is justified.
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it would be nice to have music
Do any cycling components play music? I had always assumed they didn't support things like that for safety / liability reasons. I mean, many, many Garmin watches support music playback, but ZERO bike head units.
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They can control the music your phone plays. Volume,next/previous, pause, media title
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Yeah I know that the garmin 1050 can play music
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Do any cycling components play music? I had always assumed they didn't support things like that for safety / liability reasons. I mean, many, many Garmin watches support music playback, but ZERO bike head units.
My Bolt V2 does. I listen to podcasts on it
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I’ve seen some recent photos and videos that suggest Magene may already be moving in this direction or at least testing the waters. It raises some interesting questions about how established brands are challenged, how quickly newer players can level up, and what really matters at the WorldTour level.
Curious to hear people’s thoughts on whether Magene belongs on the WorldTour stage or what are they missing to take that next step.
Both XDS and Magene are mostly focused on the Chinese market. I know XDS markets in a few locations outside of China - but their main market is China. Same thing with Magene and they apparently want their name seen on the WT - but mostly for Chinese marketing - at least now.
There have also been questions or disappointment that the power meters aren't part of the sponsorship. I suspect that Astana is not exactly ready to antagonize Shimano by creating a mixed drivetrain. I can slap a Magene meter on my bike with Shimano rings and it will work just fine - but it still doesn't look perfect. Good enough for enthusiasts, not quite right on stage.
Overall it is good that they are starting to step up to the top levels
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It's official now, they sent a newsletter out.
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Both XDS and Magene are mostly focused on the Chinese market. I know XDS markets in a few locations outside of China - but their main market is China. Same thing with Magene and they apparently want their name seen on the WT - but mostly for Chinese marketing - at least now.
There have also been questions or disappointment that the power meters aren't part of the sponsorship. I suspect that Astana is not exactly ready to antagonize Shimano by creating a mixed drivetrain. I can slap a Magene meter on my bike with Shimano rings and it will work just fine - but it still doesn't look perfect. Good enough for enthusiasts, not quite right on stage.
Overall it is good that they are starting to step up to the top levels
funny thing is on instagram they have pictures of their powermeter on Astana bikes
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I wonder why the team does not have the C706 GPS and use the old model C606.
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The cycling press reacted to their press release
https://www.cyclingnews.com/cycling-tech-components/two-new-chinese-bike-computer-brands-have-entered-the-worldtour-for-2026/
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I wonder why the team does not have the C706 GPS and use the old model C606.
They talk about the new 606 so may still be 706.
With iGSport with groupama, these are pretty big losses for garmin and wahoo, they may regret opening the door…
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iirc there's a new C606 Pro model. That's likely what they're referring to
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Jenson USA is now a retail distributer for XDS.
https://www.jensonusa.com/xds-x-lab-ad9-bike (https://www.jensonusa.com/xds-x-lab-ad9-bike)