{"product_id":"x-lab-mt5-carbon","title":"X-LAB MT5 Carbon","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho makes X-LAB?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eX-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBranta 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere the money went\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery bike at a given price has a budget, and the MT5 spends it on carbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is worth knowing where it saves money, because those are the parts you might want to change later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe tyres \u003c\/strong\u003eare CST Serratus 29x2.25in tyres with a 30 TPI casing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTPI 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe brakes.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe drivetrain extras.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eShimano Deore 12-speed with a 34T ring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 34T ring is on the tall side for a mountain bike. It gives a fast top gear for fire roads and flat, open trails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe threaded bottom bracket is a quiet win. Threaded shells stay creak-free longer and are simpler to service than press-fit designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBranta air fork, 120mm on 29in wheels\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e120mm 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also makes the front end a touch more stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front end of the X-LAB MT5 is able to \"self-correct\" better than a bike with a 100mm fork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOne-piece carbon cockpit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWheels and saddle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuying an X-LAB MT5 in Melbourne\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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 \u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/ivanhoecycles.com.au\/collections\/hardtail-mountain-bike\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"hardtail mountain bikes\"\u003ehardtail mountain bikes\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/ivanhoecycles.com.au\/collections\/xc-mountain-bikes\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"XC mountain bikes\"\u003ecross-country mountain bikes\u003c\/a\u003e ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eX-LAB MT5 FAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much does the X-LAB MT5 weigh?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho makes X-LAB bikes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eX-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is Branta?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBranta is XDS's own component line. On the MT5 it supplies the fork, integrated carbon cockpit, seatpost, saddle, crank, brakes and wheels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the X-LAB MT5 good for beginners?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, for riders who mainly ride cross-country trails, gravel paths and fitness loops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the first upgrade to make on the MT5?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I change the stem length on the MT5?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I fit a dropper post?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seatpost diameter is 31.6mm, the most common dropper size. Ask our workshop to confirm routing on the frame before ordering one.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"XDS","offers":[{"title":"Glacier Blue \/ S","offer_id":53631204655413,"sku":"262987","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Glacier Blue \/ M","offer_id":53631208784181,"sku":"262988","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Glacier Blue \/ L","offer_id":53631208653109,"sku":"6939886204605","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Amber Orange \/ S","offer_id":53631208685877,"sku":"262990","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Amber Orange \/ M","offer_id":53631208718645,"sku":"6939886204568","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Amber Orange \/ L","offer_id":53631208751413,"sku":"262992","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0700\/3468\/6261\/files\/x-lab-mt5-glacier-blue.webp?v=1790294202","url":"https:\/\/ivanhoecycles.com.au\/products\/x-lab-mt5-carbon","provider":"Ivanhoe Cycles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}