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This is my selection of the best complete Chinese road bikes you can buy. It includes lightweight, aero, and ‘hybrid’ road bikes from various price points, from budget to high-end ones.
It is based on my in-depth market research, during which I spent hours checking reviews and manufacturers and talking to bike owners. I’ve also been monitoring the Chinese carbon bike market for several years.
Additionally, I recently bought a complete road bike from China, so I share my first-hand experience with you (or you can contact me any time in case of any questions).
You can be confident that the following bikes are safe to ride because they are either UCI-approved, meet other safety standards, or are internally tested.
Continue reading to learn how long the delivery from China takes, how it works with the import fees and shipping, and what to be aware of when buying a bike from Chinese manufacturers.
Let’s dive in!
What Are the Best Chinese Carbon Road Bikes?
All bikes below were produced and assembled by well-established Chinese carbon manufacturers. Their products are covered by a warranty, and some of them also offer crash-replacement programs.
To find out more about choosing a Chinese carbon road bike, please read the how to Choose Chinese road bike section first.
Check out the best Chinese carbon road bike frames if you are interested in a frame or frameset.
Triaero A2 Lightweight Road Bike (Best Chinese Lightweight Road Bike)
Main Features
- Optionable groupsets
- Partial internal cable routing
- UCI-approved wheels
- Warranty: 2 years
- Crash replacement: Yes (15% discount)
- Multiple color options: No
Climbers, be aware. This bike is light – very light (6.33 kg*)! Considering its price, it provides an excellent price-to-weight ratio.
*This weight is for the highest-end groupset SRAM Red.
Triaero A2 will be the ideal machine to hunt your local KOMs. You can opt for Shimano 105 (R7000), Shimano Ultegra (R8000), SRAM Force, or SRAM Red groupset. These groupsets differ mainly in their weight and shifting mechanism, so you can choose the one you prefer or what your budget allows you.
This bike comes with ICAN FL40 clincher tubeless-ready wheels (1403 g). They have a 105 kg weight limit (bike included), so you may consider replacing them if you are a heavier rider.
A2 has one minor downside – you can’t choose from any other color than matte black. I like matte black bikes a lot, but some people may find them boring.
On the other hand, there are 6 sizes available (from 48 to 58 cm), so even short/tall riders can enjoy this climbing bike.
The absence of disc brakes is a subject of discussion. What brakes do you prefer? Let me know in the comments section.
Use this ICAN discount code CYCLISTSHUB on www.icancycling.com during checkout to get 5% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
YOELEO R12 All-Rounder Road Bike (Best Chinese All-Rounder Road Bike)
Main Features
- Fully-internal cable routing
- UCI Approved wheels
- Optionable handlebar size
- Optionable groupset
- Optionable wheels
- Warranty: 3 years
- Crash replacement: No
- Multiple color options: Yes
YOELEO R12 is a perfect all-rounder road bike ideal for riders who prefer riding comfort. It can accommodate up to 32mm tires that absorb most road vibrations and bumps and make your ride more pleasant.
I bought and reviewed the YOELEO R12 with Ultegra Di2, and it’s an elegant, comfortable, but fast road bike.
You can choose from the following options based on your budget:
- 3 groupsets (Shimano 105, Shimano Ultegra, or Shimano Ultegra Di2) – mechanical or electronic groupset, the call is yours.
- 3 wheelsets (YOELEO SAT C50|50 DB STD, SL, or PRO) that differ in their hubs – the more expensive, the better quality and riding characteristics.
- And multiple handlebar sizes – width (38, 40, 42, 44 mm) and stem length (90, 100, 110, 120 mm) – to maximize your riding comfort.
You might also be interested in this YOELEO R12 frameset review to learn what to expect if you buy the frameset for a custom build.
The frame weighs a respectable 950 g and passed extensive in-house tests.
What will please many riders is the wide range of frame sizes (even suitable for short women) and colors.
Use this YOELEO discount code CYCLISTSHUB on yoeleobike.com during checkout to get 10% OFF your purchase. It’s also applicable to YOELEO Canada, Europe, and Japan. Share this code via email.
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
TIP: Check this selection of the best road bike pedals, combine them with road cycling shoes, and take your performance to the next level!
Triaero A22 Aero Road Bike
Main Features
- Fully-internal cable routing
- Integrated cockpit
- Warranty: 2 years
- Crash replacement: Yes (15% discount)
- Multiple color options: Yes
ICAN’s* latest addition to their road bike offer is the A22. It is one of the most affordable aero road bikes on the market.
*Triaero is a brand of ICAN’s bicycles.
A22 comes with Shimano 105 (R7000) groupset – an affordable and high-quality groupset ideal for beginners.
The 40mm ICAN Alpha wheels are tubeless-ready and pretty stiff based on customer reviews. At this price point, this is a huge plus.
The A22’s frame can accommodate up to 28mm tires (it comes with 28mm MAXXIS tires) to improve your riding comfort further.
Another thing I cannot forget to mention is the fully internal cable routing. It is quickly becoming a standard. However, how often do you see it on bikes for this price?
ICAN A22 is a perfect choice if you have a limited budget or you want to try an aero road bike without spending a fortune. It’s available in 5 sizes (45, 48, 51, 54, and 57cm). Unfortunately, only one color (red) is available.
Use this ICAN discount code CYCLISTSHUB on www.icancycling.com during checkout to get 5% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
YOELEO R6 Aero Road Bike (STD + PRO)
Main Features
- Partially internal cable routing
- UCI Approved wheels
- Optionable handlebar size
- Warranty: 3 years
- Crash replacement: No
- Multiple color options: Yes
There are not many aero road bikes for a low price with rim brakes. R6 is an exception.
YOELEO R6 features rim brakes and a 2X groupset. The Shimano 105 (5800) will provide you with 2x11spd and reliable shifting.
The biggest highlights of R6 are the UCI-approved YOELEO wheels. And thanks to extensive product testing, you can be 100% sure and confident that you can rely on this bike.
TIP: YOELEO R9 is almost the same bike, but it’s available for disc brakes. Please check out this YOELEO R9 review to find out more.
Another benefit is the possibility of choosing your preferred handlebar width (38, 40, 42, 44 mm) and stem length (90, 100, 110, 120 mm). With the right handlebar size, you improve your bike fit and overall riding comfort.
You can choose from 2 options: YOELEO R6 STD and YOELEO R6 PRO. They differ with the wheels. STD comes with cheaper Novatec hubs. PRO comes with DT Swiss hubs. Both wheelsets weigh around 1600 g, depending on the width of the rim.
The main downside of YOELEO R6 is its availability in only a few color options.
Use this YOELEO discount code CYCLISTSHUB on yoeleobike.com during checkout to get 10% OFF your purchase. It’s also applicable to YOELEO Canada, Europe, and Japan. Share this code via email.
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
You may also be interested in the best Chinese carbon road bike wheelsets.
Triaero A9 Aero Road Bike
Main Features
- Fully-internal cable routing
- Integrated cockpit
- Warranty: 2 years
- Crash replacement: Yes (15% discount)
- Multiple color options: Yes
Triaero A9 is the highest-end aero bike by ICAN. It comes with one of the 3 groupsets – Shimano Ultegra, Ultegra Di2, or SRAM Force eTap. So whether you like mechanical or electronic groupset, you can choose the one you like.
A9 features hydraulic disc brakes that provide the best stopping power in all weather conditions and fast descents.
It is equipped with ICAN Aero 40c clincher (tubeless-ready) wheels weighing 1314 g, yet they are stiff enough to transfer the power you put into every pedal stroke effectively.
When you compare this bike with bikes of the mainstream brands, you find out it provides a much better price-value ratio. Mainstream bikes can cost even twice as much as this ‘Rocket.’
Triaero A9 is a big competitor for YOELEO R6 and R9. I like the R9 design the most, but the ICAN’s crash replacement program is a big plus.
Its downsides are the lack of certification and the possibility to customize the wheels and the handlebar size.
Choose from multiple color options and 6 sizes.
Use this ICAN discount code CYCLISTSHUB on www.icancycling.com during checkout to get 5% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
YOELEO R11 Lightweight Road Bike (Best Runner Up)
Main Features
- Fully-internal cable routing
- UCI Approved wheels
- Optionable handlebar size
- Optionable groupset
- Optionable wheels
- Warranty: 3 years
- Crash replacement: No
- Multiple color options: Yes
If you don’t like the SRAM groupsets that Triaero A2 comes with, and you are a fan of Shimano, YOELEO R11 is the bike for you. But, wait, its features don’t stop here.
It comes with either Shimano 105, Shimano Ultegra, or Shimano Ultegra Di2. If money is not a problem, you can go for Ultegra Di2 and enjoy flawless electronic shifting.
But the R11 is a great climbing bike even without a high-spec groupset. Shimano 105 is also completely fine for beginners. It is light (the frame weighs just 850 g) and stiff.
TIP: Read this YOELEO R11 review for more info.
Every bit of energy you put into the pedals will be transferred to move you one step closer to the summit of your nearest mountain. And when you start descending, you don’t have to worry about the lack of stopping power, thanks to hydraulic disc brakes.
I cannot forget to mention you can opt for a specific handlebar size (their width and stem length) and wheels. This is a great advantage for roadies who want to spec up or down their new climbing bike.
YOELEO R11 is also available in plenty of color options and sizes.
Use this YOELEO discount code CYCLISTSHUB on yoeleobike.com during checkout to get 10% OFF your purchase. It’s also applicable to YOELEO Canada, Europe, and Japan. Share this code via email.
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
Also available at yoeleocanada.com
Do you want to build your own build instead? Check this selection of the best Chinese carbon road bike frames.
| Road Bikes | Type | Groupset | UCI Approved | Warranty | Brakes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triaero A2 | Lightweight | Shimano 105 / Ultegra SRAM Force / Red | No | 3 years | Rim | Check Price |
| YOELEO R12 | All-rounder | Shimano 105 | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| YOELEO R12 | All-rounder | Shimano Ultegra | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| YOELEO R12 | All-rounder | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| Triaero A22 | Aero | Shimano 105 | No | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| YOELEO R6 | Aero | Shimano 105 | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Rim | Check Price |
| YOELEO R6 | Aero | Shimano Ultegra | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Rim | Check Price |
| Triearo A9 Aero Road Bike | Aero | Shimano Ultegra | No | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| Triearo A9 Aero Road Bike | Aero | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | No | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| Triearo A9 Aero Road Bike | Aero | SRAM Force eTap AXS | No | 3 years | Disc | Check Price |
| YOELEO R11 | Lightweight | Shimano 105 | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Rim or disc | Check Price |
| YOELEO R11 | Lightweight | Shimano Ultegra | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Rim or disc | Check Price |
| YOELEO R11 | Lightweight | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | No (UCI approved wheels) | 3 years | Rim or disc | Check Price |
My Verdict
Before buying a Chinese road bike, make sure it comes from a reliable manufacturer. All bikes in this selection come from established brands and are covered by warranty.
I don’t recommend buying counterfeit or unbranded carbon bikes because you never know who manufactured them, and you won’t be able to claim a refund if it breaks.
The best Chinese lightweight road bike is the Triaero A2. It provides you with an excellent price-weight ratio. With SRAM Red, it weighs only 6.33 kg. But you can downgrade it and choose Shimano 105, Shimano Ultegra, or SRAM Force groupset.
With this bike (and your good legs), you will get a better chance to conquer your local KOMs and improve your PRs.
The best Chinese all-rounder road bike is the YOELEO R12 (also available at yoeleocanada.com). It features 50mm tubeless-ready wheels (UCI approved). The frame can accommodate up to 32mm tires, fully internal cable routing, and an integrated cockpit.
It is stiff yet comfortable enough for long endurance training or road races. When you compare its price with other mainstream brands, you realize that you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy a good bike.
The best runner-up is the is YOELEO R11 (also available at yoeleocanada.com). Thanks to its timeless, minimalistic design, fully integrated cable routing, and attractive price, this frame is hard to beat.
It is perfect for hilly and mountainous terrain. So whether you are a racer or a casual rider, this bike won’t disappoint you.
How to Choose the Best Chinese Road Bike?
There is a high chance you have already seen some Chinese road bikes on online marketplaces. Unfortunately, many of them are unbranded or of suspicious quality. So how to find out whether or not the bike is worth your money? Here are a few tips:
- Buy products from established and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Ensure the bikes pass extensive product testing and are also covered by warranty. Certification UCI approved is a good sign too.
- Don’t buy counterfeit Chinese frames of mainstream brands or unbranded bikes.
Feel free to read more tips in the Chinese carbon manufacturers article.
Below, I explain what other features to consider before you buy your new (Chinese) carbon road bike.
Road Bike Type
Did you know there are 8 basic types of road bikes? But don’t worry. Most Chinese road bikes are Performance and Aero-oriented, so the selection is much easier.
Performance (Lightweight) Road Bikes, also sometimes called climbing road bikes, are ideal for – yes, you guessed it – climbers. Thanks to their lower overall weight, these bikes are ideal for climbing high mountains because you don’t have to carry excessive weight, saving energy.
Their downside is that they are not as aero optimized, so they are slower on flats or in crosswinds.
Aero Road Bikes are the exact opposite of climbing road bikes. They are about 1 kg heavier due to thicker frame tubes and deep-section wheels, but they perform well on flats and crosswinds.
You probably won’t conquer the KOM of your nearest mountain on it, but maybe the KOD (King of Descent).
All-rounder Road Bikes combine the best features of performance and aero road bikes. They form a compromise between these two types. They are not as lightweight as performance road bikes. The same applies to their aerodynamics – it is not as optimized as the aerodynamics of aero bikes.
An all-rounder road bike (an example could be Specialized Tarmac SL7) is the best option for riders who need a versatile bike. It climbs well and is also fast on flats.
Disc vs. Rim Brakes
“Disc or rim brakes?” was not even a question a few years ago. But thanks to innovation and technological progress, we can choose from these two brake types. So which one is right for you?
- Rim brakes are cheaper, lighter, and easier to maintain than disc brakes. However, their main downside is their low effectiveness during wet conditions or long descents.
- Disc brakes are much more effective in various weather conditions, so your stopping power is not affected. Their downside is the weight, more difficult maintenance, and higher price.
There are 2 types of disc brakes – mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical brakes are less effective than hydraulic ones but still provide good stopping power. Most Chinese road bikes come with hydraulic disc brakes.
Sources: cyclistshub.com, bikeradar.com
Wheels & Tires
Wheels come in different types and with different features. Below, I explain them briefly so you will get a better idea of what to look for.
These three types of wheels may be confusing – especially for beginners. Here are their main features, advantages, and disadvantages:
- Clinchers are the most widespread type of wheels/tires. The tire is supported by an inner tube made of rubber or latex. They are used on most low-end road bikes.
- Tubular tires are more common among professionals. However, some hobby riders use tubular tires because they allow you to inflate lower pressures. This means they are more puncture-resistant and more comfortable.
- Tubeless tires are the most modern ones. Tubeless-ready wheels use tubeless tires because their design differs, and they use sealant instead of the inner tube.
NOTE: If the wheels are ‘clincher tubeless-ready,’ you can use them with tubeless tires (read more).
| Wheel/Tire | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Clincher | • Easy to replace • Easy to repair | • More prone to puncture • Heavier than tubular or tubeless |
| Tubular | • Allows very low and high tire pressure • Less prone to puncture • Lightweight | • Difficult to replace • Difficult to repair • More expensive than clincher |
| Tubeless | • Allows lower tire pressure • Self-repairing capability (sealant fills out small holes, quality sealant required) | • Tricky installation without an air compressor • Difficult to replace • Difficult to repair • More expensive than clincher |
Sources: cyclistshub.com, theproscloset.com, cyclingtips.com
Weight
Depending on the road bike & brake type, components, wheels, and even the painting*, the bike’s overall weight will vary.
*Complete painting can add around 3.5unces (100 g).
If you are a climber, you will probably look for the best weight-stiffness ratio. Aero-oriented riders will be interested in aerodynamics and stiffness.
Remember that the lightest possible frame may not always be the best choice. The stiffness is also important and often overlooked.
Although we can measure stiffness, it is challenging to determine whether the bike is stiff or aerodynamic when you can’t try it in person, see lab testing results, or read reviews of other users.
The table below shows the estimated weight of different carbon road bikes.
| Road Bike Type | Weight of the Bike |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | 6 to 8 kg 13 to 18 lb |
| Aero | 7.5 to 9 kg 16.5 to 20 lb |
| Hybrid* | 6.5 to 8.5 kg 20 to 23 lb |
Aero/lightweight, all-rounder
NOTE: Disc brake road bikes are around 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lbs) heavier than road bikes with rim brakes.
Groupset
Chinese road bikes come mainly with 1X or 2X groupsets (1 or 2 chainrings). I prefer 2X groupsets because you get a wider gear selection and smaller jumps between individual gears.
On the other hand, 1X groupsets are lighter and simpler. So if you like simplicity and don’t need as many gears for too versatile terrain (you live in a flat area), 1X may be a way to go for you.
Which Groupset Manufacturer to Choose?
There are 3 main manufacturers of groupsets – Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM. Shimano dominates the market. According to Credit Suisse, Shimano had about 80% of the global share in bike components in 2016.
And it is true for Chinese road bikes as well. Most of them come with Shimano groupsets, a very few with SRAM. I did not find a single Chinese bike with Campagnolo.
The following table shows groupset from these manufacturers. The groupsets vary mainly in their weight, shifting, efficiency, and price.
| Level | Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Claris | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Sora | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Tiagra | Apex | Mechanical | |
| Mid-range | 105 11spd 105 12 spd 105 12 spd Di2¹ | Rival Rival eTap AXS¹ | Centaur | Mechanical |
| Mid-range | Force | Chorus | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Ultegra Di2 | Force eTap AXS | Chorus EPS | Electronic |
| Pro | RED | Record Super Record | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Dura-Ace Di2 | RED eTap AXS | Super Record EPS | Electronic |
¹Shimano 105 Di2 and Rival eTap AXS are electronic groupsets.
Size
The last thing to choose is the frame size. You don’t want to order a bike, wait for its delivery, and realize you ordered the wrong size.
You will experience better riding comfort and prevent injuries with the right frame size.
To choose the right size, follow the bike size chart of the manufacturer and its recommendations, or try the road bike size calculator.
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes FAQ
This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.
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