X-LAB MT5 Carbon

The X-LAB MT5 is a carbon hardtail mountain bike built for cross-country trails and fitness riding. It weighs around 11.4kg. On a Shimano Deore 12-speed build, that number comes from the parts you touch most: the frame, the bar and stem, and the seatpost are all carbon.

The frame is XDS carbon. The handlebar and stem are a single Branta carbon piece, 760mm wide. The seatpost is Branta carbon too, in the common 31.6mm size. Most hardtails at this level use an alloy frame with alloy finishing kit, and that is where their extra kilos sit.

Who makes X-LAB?

X-LAB is the performance range from XDS, a bicycle manufacturer founded in Shenzhen in 1995 and one of the largest in the world. XDS has spent decades building frames at scale. X-LAB is the brand it now sells under its own name.

Branta is XDS's in-house component line. On the MT5, Branta supplies the fork, cockpit, seatpost, saddle, crank, brakes, rotors and wheels. Designing those alongside the frame is how XDS keeps the weight down and the carbon count high without premium-brand pricing.

Where the money went

Every bike at a given price has a budget, and the MT5 spends it on carbon.

It is worth knowing where it saves money, because those are the parts you might want to change later.

The tyres are CST Serratus 29x2.25in tyres with a 30 TPI casing.

TPI is threads per inch, and a lower count means a thicker, stiffer, heavier casing. They are durable and puncture-tough. They are also the slowest-rolling part on the bike, and a set of lighter, supple tyres is the single most noticeable upgrade you can make.

The brakes. Branta C5Pro hydraulic brakes with 2-piston calipers and a 180mm front, 160mm rear rotor pair. That is standard for cross-country riding. Shimano XT resin pads are fitted, which is a good pad choice and easy to replace anywhere.

The drivetrain extras. The shifter and rear derailleur are Shimano Deore M6100, the parts that decide how well a bike shifts. The 11-50T cassette and the chain come from other makers to keep cost down. Both are wear items you would replace in time anyway.

Shimano Deore 12-speed with a 34T ring

The MT5 runs Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed shifting with an 11-50T cassette. The Branta alloy crank has 170mm arms and a 34T chainring on a threaded BSA bottom bracket with a 24mm spindle.

A 34T ring is on the tall side for a mountain bike. It gives a fast top gear for fire roads and flat, open trails.

The threaded bottom bracket is a quiet win. Threaded shells stay creak-free longer and are simpler to service than press-fit designs.

Branta air fork, 120mm on 29in wheels

The fork is a Branta air-sprung suspension fork with magnesium lowers and adjustable rebound. It runs 120mm of travel on the 29in build. An air spring means you set it up for your weight with a shock pump, not by swapping springs.

120mm is slightly more travel than a pure cross-country race fork, which usually sits at 100mm. The extra 20mm takes the edge off roots and rocks on trail rides without making the bike feel soft on climbs.

It also makes the front end a touch more stable.

The front end of the X-LAB MT5 is able to "self-correct" better than a bike with a 100mm fork.

One-piece carbon cockpit

The integrated Branta carbon bar and stem is light and clean, with no clamp bolts at the front. The trade-off is fit. On a standard bike, we can change stem length in minutes to fine-tune your reach. On the MT5, stem length is part of the cockpit and is set by frame size at 65mm, 75mm or 85mm.

That makes choosing the right size more important. If you are between sizes, ride both before you buy. The 760mm bar width suits most cross-country riders.

Wheels and saddle

The wheels are Branta Aluminium XC+, and the saddle is a Branta SRX+ on BED rails. The seatpost is a standard 31.6mm diameter, which is the most common size for dropper posts if you later want one.

Buying an X-LAB MT5 in Melbourne

You can see the MT5 at our Heidelberg Heights, Hallam and Hoppers Crossing stores. All three are open 7 days, with parking on site and test rides available. Every new bike is built and safety-checked by our workshop before it leaves the store.

Our workshops can also fit faster tyres, set up the fork for your weight, or talk you through gearing changes before you ride away. To compare the MT5 with alloy and full-suspension options, browse our hardtail mountain bikes and cross-country mountain bikes ranges.

X-LAB MT5 FAQs

How much does the X-LAB MT5 weigh?

Around 11.39kg, per XDS's published figure. That is light for a hardtail on a Shimano Deore build. The carbon frame, carbon cockpit and carbon seatpost are where the savings come from.

Who makes X-LAB bikes?

X-LAB is the performance brand of XDS, a Shenzhen bicycle manufacturer founded in 1995. Its components come from Branta, XDS's in-house component brand.

What is Branta?

Branta is XDS's own component line. On the MT5 it supplies the fork, integrated carbon cockpit, seatpost, saddle, crank, brakes and wheels.

Is the X-LAB MT5 good for beginners?

Yes, for riders who mainly ride cross-country trails, gravel paths and fitness loops.

It is light, which makes climbing and handling easier. The 34T chainring gives a taller gear range than many beginner bikes, so very steep terrain will feel harder.

What is the first upgrade to make on the MT5?

The tyres. The stock CST Serratus tyres use a 30 TPI casing, which is tough but heavy and slow-rolling. Lighter, more supple tyres make the biggest difference to how the bike feels.

Can I change the stem length on the MT5?

Not on its own. The bar and stem are a single carbon piece, and stem length is set by frame size. That is why we recommend riding more than one size before buying.

Can I fit a dropper post?

The seatpost diameter is 31.6mm, the most common dropper size. Ask our workshop to confirm routing on the frame before ordering one.