Exploring the Chicichou Cycling Community and High End Road Bikes | What's on Red Blog

The term Chicichou (七七丑), often associated with the brand Qiqi Cycling (七七单车), has become a significant focal point within the Chinese cycling community. Based on recent social media activity, this niche represents a blend of high-end road bike trading, professional cycling fashion, and an aspirational outdoor lifestyle. Whether you are looking for rare gear or seeking inspiration for your next ride, the Chicichou ecosystem offers a deep dive into China's modern cycling subculture.

The Hub for High-End Road Bike Resale

A major part of the Chicichou identity revolves around the resale of premium road bikes. Curated by figures like "Qizhe Ge" (Discount Brother), the platform is known for sourcing nearly-new, high-performance machines. Popular models frequently surfacing in this circle include the Specialized SL8, specifically the "Blue Cow" and "Horse Year Limited Edition" versions, as well as the Trek Madone Gen 7.

These posts highlight a transparent look at the depreciation and market value of "dream bikes," making high-end cycling more accessible to enthusiasts who are savvy about the second-hand market. For many, Chicichou is the go-to reference for price checks and sourcing rare paint jobs.

Cycling OOTD and the Female Rider Subculture

Beyond the hardware, the Chicichou community is a powerhouse for Cycling OOTD (Outfit of the Day). The trend of "Female Riders" (女骑) has exploded, emphasizing that performance and style are not mutually exclusive. Influencers share meticulously coordinated outfits featuring international brands like MAAP, POC, and Oakley.

In Chinese culture, the "cycling soul" (骑行灵魂) is about more than just speed; it is about the aesthetic of the journey. This includes everything from the color-coordination of socks (Falke) and shoes (Adidas) to the specific lens tint of one's sunglasses. The emphasis is on a "vibrant life force" where the rider and the bike create a visually stunning presence against natural backdrops.

Iconic Routes and Community Rides

Cycling in China is deeply tied to scenic geography. From the mountain roads of Chengdu to the sunrise paths along Erhai Lake, the community documents their travels with high production value.

One popular spot mentioned is Pu Hong Road, a 13km climb with a 5.1% gradient—a true test for those looking to move from casual riding to competitive levels. Meanwhile, more meditative rides happen at locations like Jietaisi Temple, where the goal is less about speed and more about finding a moment of peace.

Main Recommendations

Based on our analysis of the Chicichou cycling community, here are the top-mentioned products and locations:

Road Bikes: Specialized SL8 "Blue Cow" (Post #1), Specialized SL8 "Horse Year Limited Edition" (Post #5), Trek Madone Gen 7 (Post #13), Colnago TT1 (Post #4), Giant (Post #19).
Cycling Apparel Brands: MAAP (Training and Pro Bib series), 247 Cycling, CCrew, Cheji (Custom factory), Falke (Socks).
Accessories: POC Ventral Air Mips helmet, Oakley Encoder sunglasses, Adidas Road Cycling shoes.
Scenic Routes: Pu Hong Road (Chengdu), Jietaisi Temple (Beijing), Erhai Lake (Dali), West Hill / East Hill (Suzhou), Qidu Twin Towers.
Local Clubs/Groups: BSCC (Night riding group), BikeSoul.

Variations & Options

The Pro Look: Focuses on technical gear like MAAP Pro Bibs and high-end frames like the Colnago TT1 for maximum performance.
The Lifestyle Look: Emphasizes color coordination and "vibe," often featuring custom-designed jerseys from factories like Cheji or playful themes like the "Black Cat Detective" cosplay.
Budget Savvy: Utilizing the second-hand market via Qiqi Cycling to obtain premium Specialized or Trek frames at a fraction of the retail cost.

Tips & Insights

Heat Training: Riders in areas like Suzhou suggest "heat endurance training" during summer weekends to improve cardiovascular resilience (Post #17).
Fitness Maintenance: To support a cycling habit, complementary home workouts like single-leg deadlifts and glute bridges are recommended to prevent "flat glutes" and maintain power (Post #9).
Photography: Use the "giant's perspective" (low angle) to make the rider look more heroic and the bike more imposing in photos (Post #10).

Notable Mentions

Customization: Factories like Cheji offer full-process customization for clubs, allowing for 1:1 design replication using high-precision Epson printers (Post #16).
Technical Milestones: For Pu Hong Road, a "genius level" climb time for women is considered around 44 minutes for the 13km stretch (Post #6).

📍 Locations Guide

Place Name	Address/Area	Google Maps	Apple Maps
Jietaisi Temple	Beijing	Google Maps	Apple Maps
Pu Hong Road	Chengdu	Google Maps	Apple Maps
Erhai Lake	Dali	Google Maps	Apple Maps
West Hill (Xishan)	Suzhou	Google Maps	Apple Maps
East Hill (Dongshan)	Suzhou	Google Maps	Apple Maps
Qidu Twin Towers	Suzhou	Google Maps	Apple Maps
Miaoju (苗局)	BSCC Route, Beijing	Google Maps	Apple Maps