Customer Review: XLAB AD9 – @1,000 km 

🚴 First Impressions & Why I Chose the AD9

I first came across the XLAB AD9 at the Tour Down Under Expo. At the time, I was looking for an aero race bike and, as a current Canyon Ultimate owner, naturally had the Canyon Aeroad on my shortlist.

The AD9 immediately caught my attention, so I started researching the company behind it, XDS, and discovered that they manufacture bikes for several major WorldTour brands. Reviews were limited, but what I did find was impressive. Riders from the Astana professional team, who race the AD9, reported that after a full season on the bike, every rider on the roster improved their performance compared to their previous team bike. That was enough to convince me to take a closer look.

Urban Pedaler had the AD9 in store, so I spoke with Gabe and Ben, purchased a frameset, and had them build the bike to my specifications. The whole process was excellent, and Ben did a flawless job with the build.

 

⚡ Performance on the Road

Anyone not already riding a WorldTour-level aero bike will immediately notice the extra speed and responsiveness of the AD9.

I race criteriums regularly, and the bike feels incredibly fast, precise, and responsive. Living near the Dandenong Ranges means most of my rides include significant climbing and plenty of rough Victorian roads. Surprisingly, the AD9 climbs better than my Canyon Ultimate, which I didn't expect. The stiff rear end transfers power exceptionally well and makes the bike feel eager on steep gradients.

Descending is equally impressive. The bike feels agile, predictable, and planted through corners.

I've also completed a five-hour ride through the Otways and found the AD9 remarkably comfortable for an aero bike. If I were riding the Three Peaks Challenge tomorrow, I'd happily take the AD9—simply swap my race tyres from 28 mm to 30–32 mm, and I'd be confident tackling a full day in the mountains without getting beaten up by the bike.

💰 Outstanding Value

Without question, the AD9 represents exceptional value.

You're getting a genuine WorldTour-level race bike—one that recently helped deliver multiple stage victories at the Giro—for roughly half the price of many competing brands, some of which are manufactured by XDS themselves.

The bike has been wind-tunnel tested alongside some of the industry's biggest names and delivers performance that rivals bikes costing dramatically more. The combination of speed, ride quality, build quality, and price makes it one of the best-value performance bikes currently available.

⭐ Final Verdict

The XLAB AD9 is a bike that genuinely does everything well.

Whether you're racing criteriums, attacking fast bunch rides, climbing mountain roads, or spending long days in the saddle, it consistently delivers. The bike climbs exceptionally well, descends with confidence, and remains comfortable over long distances.

The build quality is outstanding. The paint finish is flawless, and the integrated bar-and-stem cockpit is both impressively stiff for sprinting and comfortable during long rides. It also looks absolutely stunning—this is a bike that attracts attention wherever it's parked.

If you're looking for a high-performance aero bike without paying the premium prices demanded by many of the major brands, the AD9 deserves a serious look.

A big thank you to Ben and Gabe at Urban Pedaler for all their help in bringing my dream build together.

— Ray Le Busque, Melbourne cyclist and Masters criterium racer (June 2026)