"The Best Chinese Bike I’ve Ridden" Patrick Lino

In Patrick Lino’s words, the Tavelo Arow is “the best feeling and best handling Chinese frame that I have ridden so far on this channel.” That’s coming from someone who’s built and reviewed dozens of bikes across high-end Chinese and Western brands. So yeah—it’s Patty Lino approved.

What Patty Had to Say

The Tavelo Arow is built for racers. Long, low geometry, aggressive reach (399mm in size XL), and minimal stack all make this a bike that wants to be slammed and ridden fast. It’s not for the casual or comfort-first rider—but for those chasing speed and style, it nails the brief.

Even better, it looks as good as it rides. The paint quality, fit and finish, and overall feel are on par with Western frames at twice the price. And with a claimed weight around 1,000g and full internal routing, it holds its own in any aero lineup.

Optimized for Shimano

This bike clearly favors Shimano Di2. It comes with a BB86 bottom bracket pre-installed (with a Shimano 24mm spindle), direct-mount hanger, and a Di2 battery holder. That said, Patrick flagged a few quirks: the Di2 wire exits from the underside of the chainstay (rather than the top or side), and the compression plug design is… less than ideal.

But don’t worry—any build or setup quirks are fully handled by us. All our bikes ship complete and ready to ride, fully built and adjusted in-house.

Geometry Made for Racers

Patrick opted for the size XL/540, and despite Tavelo’s unconventional sizing, it hit his fit perfectly. The stock “130mm” integrated stem measures closer to 145mm in reality—so if you’re ordering one, size your cockpit accordingly.

It’s worth repeating: this frame has a long reach and low front end. There’s little room for spacers, so be sure this suits your fit and riding style. For riders chasing a pro-level position, it’s perfect.

Ride Quality

On the road, Patrick described the Arow as:

• More responsive than the Tavelo Attack

• Less harsh than his Giant Propel

• “Somewhere between a Tarmac SL8 and a Propel in terms of feel”

• “Exciting, fast, and more composed in the rear triangle than any other Chinese frame I’ve tested.”

It accelerates well, corners confidently, and holds speed with ease. In his words, “it doesn’t need to be better than the Western brands—it just needs to be good enough to justify the price. And it is.”

Weight and Finish

Patrick’s complete build came in at 7.3kg (with pedals, power meter, and computer mount), lighter than his Giant Propel despite costing far less. The carbon finish is clean, brake mounts and bottom bracket are faced properly, and there are no sharp edges inside the frame. No creaks. No compromises.

In Stock Now

The Tavelo Arow is available now through Catalog Cycles, fully built and ready to ride. We spec it with carefully selected components to match the frame’s performance—whether you want wireless simplicity or a fully tuned Di2 build.

If you’re after a race-ready aero bike that can go toe-to-toe with the big brands at half the price, this one’s worth a serious look.

Want one? Check it out here