Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: bsharp77 on August 21, 2026, 03:05:39 AM
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Need new tyres for my Lightcarbon LCR018 and can't stomach the price of GP5000AS.
Has anyone tried the Chaoyang H496 Merlin Tyres?
Available in 30c at a great price and specs look good - would just love some real world feedback before taking the plunge.
Planning on running the tube version with Vittoria latex tubes.
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If you are planning to use tubes why not just buy a regular gp 5000? it's much cheaper than the S TR or the AS at least where I live.
It will be maybe 30% more expensive than the chaoyang but you are getting one of the best tires money can buy
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Im currently running GP5000, they're good, but the bike is now becoming a dedicated training bike for the everyday slog - ill keep GP5000 on the "best" bike.
These H496 Merlins are literally half the price of standard GP5000 (£48 for a pair delivered), spec looks good and they have a "Dino Skin anti stab protection layer" - what this performs like in real life is anyones guess, but given that Chaoyang is a huge and proven tyre manufacturer, I thought these might be worth a punt. Was hoping someone else might have tried.
I know Trace Velo is planning a video reviewing Chinese tyres soon, but ive had 3 punctures in the last 3 rides so can't wait too long!
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Need new tyres for my Lightcarbon LCR018 and can't stomach the price of GP5000AS.
Has anyone tried the Chaoyang H496 Merlin Tyres?
Available in 30c at a great price and specs look good - would just love some real world feedback before taking the plunge.
Planning on running the tube version with Vittoria latex tubes.
Coming from a GP5000 I've actually ran 28c H496 for a couple of kilometers and I'm running the 30c version now and I can say that aren't as good as a GP5000 but they are not far behind honestly.
I've also ran the 28c Grandprix and for me the H496 were a lot better, I ran all of them with TPU tubes by the way.
I was able to get the H496 for around 40/50€ per pair on Aliexpress and compared to the 80/90€ that the GP5000 costs I think they are worth the price.
*Regarding the puncture protection, I've maybe 300/400km on them, riding on rough pavement and still haven't had a puncture, they seem very well made and protected honestly.
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Coming from a GP5000 I've actually ran 28c H496 for a couple of kilometers and I'm running the 30c version now and I can say that aren't as good as a GP5000 but they are not far behind honestly.
I've also ran the 28c Grandprix and for me the H496 were a lot better, I ran all of them with TPU tubes by the way.
I was able to get the H496 for around 40/50€ per pair on Aliexpress and compared to the 80/90€ that the GP5000 costs I think they are worth the price.
Thanks very much for the review - thats exactly the sort of reassurance I needed!
Definitely not expecting them to match GP5000, but just a good solid all rounder that will offer some level of protection on crappy roads.
Getting fed up with the crazy prices of everything, so these seem like they're worth taking a chance on.
Thanks again.
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Happy to help!
I was in the same boat as you, I was prepared to pay up to 70€ for the GP5000 but they were all 80€ + and I got fed up and searched for alternatives.
Supposedly Chaoyang supplies Continental as well (not sure how true this is though).
But I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the H496.
If you have any more questions just let me know.
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I got a pair of Pink H496 on 28c for a coworker that wanted pink tires, they look very decent to be honest, but the color option was abit more expensive...
By the way Trace velo just got a video and he will soon have a comparison with other options
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Im currently running GP5000, they're good, but the bike is now becoming a dedicated training bike for the everyday slog - ill keep GP5000 on the "best" bike.
These H496 Merlins are literally half the price of standard GP5000 (£48 for a pair delivered), spec looks good and they have a "Dino Skin anti stab protection layer" - what this performs like in real life is anyones guess, but given that Chaoyang is a huge and proven tyre manufacturer, I thought these might be worth a punt. Was hoping someone else might have tried.
A set of Michelin Pro 5 TLR cost 60€ for a pair and is very close to the GP5000 according to bicyclerollingresistance. Why boter with H496 if a good alternative dosen't cost way more?
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A set of Michelin Pro 5 TLR cost 60€ for a pair and is very close to the GP5000 according to bicyclerollingresistance. Why boter with H496 if a good alternative dosen't cost way more?
Don’t know where you’re seeing them that cheap, they are £39 each here, plus I don’t want any sort of tubleless ready tyre that makes it any harder to mount.
Plus… this is Chinertown after all, where we try to find good alternatives to overpriced bike gear!!
I think these are worth a punt, will report back after 1000km or so with the good or bad news.
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I have them in 30c. Diaclaimer, I am not a pro rider. However, I don't find any difference with the Hutchinson Blackbird.
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Has anyone tried the Chaoyang H496 Merlin Tyres?
AFAIK: Chaoyang is produced by ZC Rubber. ZC rubber makes close to all non-blackchili compound tyres for conti.
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Don’t know where you’re seeing them that cheap, they are £39 each here, plus I don’t want any sort of tubleless ready tyre that makes it any harder to mount.
Plus… this is Chinertown after all, where we try to find good alternatives to overpriced bike gear!!
I think these are worth a punt, will report back after 1000km or so with the good or bad news.
Here https://www.bike-components.de/de/Michelin/PRO5-TS-TLR-28-Faltreifen-p212519/?o=1001006878-schwarz-transparent-28-mm-28-622.
Granted it is the 28-622 and not the 30-622, but the price difference is pretty minor.
And I wouldn't bother with Tubetype tires, but everyone is different.
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Here https://www.bike-components.de/de/Michelin/PRO5-TS-TLR-28-Faltreifen-p212519/?o=1001006878-schwarz-transparent-28-mm-28-622.
Granted it is the 28-622 and not the 30-622, but the price difference is pretty minor.
And I wouldn't bother with Tubetype tires, but everyone is different.
Yep 28mm is out, I want 30mm minimum, plus bike-components have a €165 minimum order to the UK, so definitely out!
Thanks for suggesting though - it is appreciated.
I think these Chaoyangs are well worth a shot - theres enough positive evidence around the company as a whole and now a few positive reviews to make less of a pure punt.
I wish Trace Velo had released his video as no doubt he's already tested them, but I can't wait any longer so they are now on order.
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I could help here, I only used H496 from my first road bike, 28C front and back wheels, price is 36USD for a pair, 2 months ago i bought a brand new 496 tyre for 11USD, so when you look at this price, it is very good. Now used them for about 6k+ km, only broke inner tube once. Other than that, really recommend H496, in China we also call it Cobra, dont know why Chaoyang changed the name.
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I could help here, I only used H496 from my first road bike, 28C front and back wheels, price is 36USD for a pair, 2 months ago i bought a brand new 496 tyre for 11USD, so when you look at this price, it is very good. Now used them for about 6k+ km, only broke inner tube once. Other than that, really recommend H496, in China we also call it Cobra, dont know why Chaoyang changed the name.
As of right now and for reference, shipped to Europe, i could get a pair of NON TLR, 30C, H496, for 65 EUR shipped.
On bike-components.de, 2x Michelin pro5 TLR in 28C (not 30C) would be 69 eur incl. shipping. The 30C costs 20 EUR more a pair. A pair of GP5000 costs 85, depending on websites in EU you can get that w free shipping.
I'm curious to try the H496, but not until they make a 32C. If not a 35...
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This price is crazy for me, the main cost is the shipping cost, if at this price I dont think you need to try H496 tbh
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As of right now and for reference, shipped to Europe, i could get a pair of NON TLR, 30C, H496, for 65 EUR shipped.
On bike-components.de, 2x Michelin pro5 TLR in 28C (not 30C) would be 69 eur incl. shipping. The 30C costs 20 EUR more a pair. A pair of GP5000 costs 85, depending on websites in EU you can get that w free shipping.
I'm curious to try the H496, but not until they make a 32C. If not a 35...
Just for reference, they cost me £45 total for 2x H496 Merlin 30c tyres from Aliexpress (im based in the UK).
There were a few good offers on some tyres from UK sites, but all 28s. Once you clicked 30 or 32 the price shot up to a crazy level altogether (as if they're not bad enough already!).
The local price of the tyres in China is kind if irrelevant I guess as theres no chance of them ever being this cheap when buying from abroad - if they are available from a source other than Aliexpress at a cheaper price I would certainly look into purchasing more (assuming I get on well with the first set).
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This price is crazy for me, the main cost is the shipping cost, if at this price I dont think you need to try H496 tbh
If you don't mind answering, how does Chaoyang tier their tires? They also have the Arisun, which I believe to be a high performance tire that tiers above the Merlin/Cobra.
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If you don't mind answering, how does Chaoyang tier their tires? They also have the Arisun, which I believe to be a high performance tire that tiers above the Merlin/Cobra.
Yes, that would be interesting to know. The Arisuns were a few pounds dearer and I could find zero information on them, whereas at least the H496 had some positive feedback to go on.
Here's what chatgpt had to say on the difference between the 2:
Chaoyang's own specification actually makes them look almost identical underneath: the premium H-498 Woven option uses 120 TPI + Dino Skin + Silica-Maxx + folding bead, exactly the combination we liked in the Merlin.
A separate retailer lists the 30c tube-type H-498 Woven at about 265g, which is still a very respectable weight for a 30c tyre with a dedicated puncture layer.
So what are you getting for the extra money?
Primarily the H-498 Woven tread/shoulder design.
Chaoyang has designed the Woven with a textured woven-style shoulder and narrow grooves. Their Japanese distributor specifically describes that shoulder pattern as being intended to give smooth, predictable cornering in both dry and wet conditions.
The newer H-498 line is also being positioned by Chaoyang distributors as their higher-end all-round racing/endurance tyre, sitting between a pure race tyre and a heavy durability tyre. The recent H-498TR launch material specifically targets riders wanting speed plus durability, rough-road tolerance and long-distance reliability.
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Arisun is the top level tyre, they're being used this year by the St George Continental Cycling Team in Australia.
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Just for reference, they cost me £45 total for 2x H496 Merlin 30c tyres from Aliexpress (im based in the UK).
There were a few good offers on some tyres from UK sites, but all 28s. Once you clicked 30 or 32 the price shot up to a crazy level altogether (as if they're not bad enough already!).
The local price of the tyres in China is kind if irrelevant I guess as theres no chance of them ever being this cheap when buying from abroad - if they are available from a source other than Aliexpress at a cheaper price I would certainly look into purchasing more (assuming I get on well with the first set).
From performance perspective, I can not say because I have never used Arisum, so can not compare these two. Also I can not find many feedback from Chinese internet of Arisum too, we'd rather use other brands when the price goes higher than the brand value.
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Order just arrived from AliExpress.
Despite ordering the H496 tyres, I have received Arisun C2 Ultras.
Not sure if this is an upgrade or a similar tyre, will have to give them a go and hope for the best.
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Looking forward to your feedback.
Also hope they try to catch up with wider sizes.