We put this bike through its paces as part of our group test for the Best Gravel Bikes 2026, where you can find a complete overview of the test field, our review criteria, and all of the other gravel bikes included in the line-up.
Since their last major update, ROSE have cleanly split their gravel line-up to pursue a distinct two-pronged strategy. If you are chasing seconds on the clock, you will want to grab the uncompromising Backroad FF race machine. However, if you are driven by an untamed spirit of discovery, craving self-sufficiency and fully loaded bikepacking trips, the classic Backroad is in its element. The Bocholt-based brand have poured this adventure DNA into a robust, everyday-ready aluminium frame with the ROSE Backroad AL, creating a bike that is tailor-made for beginners, commuters and dedicated touring fans.
With a price tag of around €2,500, the bike enters our big group test for the Best Gravel Bikes 2026 to prove that you do not need a sky-high carbon budget to enjoy gravel riding. ROSE have certainly done their homework, because despite the more affordable frame material, the Backroad AL boasts modern refinements like a fully integrated internal storage compartment in the down tube, a relaxed, touring-friendly geometry and a massive array of mounting points for all your luggage. But is a clever list of features enough to hold your own against fierce competition on the trail, or will this aluminium workhorse ultimately run out of steam?
The ROSE Backroad AL In Detail: Built For Big Adventures?
The frame of the ROSE Backroad AL cleverly hides its construction material. The tube junctions are smoothed down so seamlessly that at first glance you would struggle to tell this aluminium model apart from a much more expensive carbon gravel bike. The internal cable routing and the matte, earthy paint job in the sandy Dune colourway give the bike a muscular yet very clean look. With this chunky appearance, our size M review bike tips the scales at 10.92 kg, which is quite a bit above average.
Rose Backroad AL 2025
€ 2,500
Specifications
Seatpost Rose Viper 30,9
Brakes Shimano GRX 180/160 mm
Drivetrain Shimano GRX RX610 1x12
Chainring 40 T
Stem Rose 90 mm
Handlebar Rose Gravel 420 mm
Wheelset Rose G25 12x100 / 12x142
Tires Continental Terra Adventure 45 x 700C
Cranks Shimano FC-RX610-1 170 mm
Cassette Shimano SLX CS M7100 10-51T
Technical Data
Size XXS XS S M L XL XXL
Weight 10,92 kg
Specific Features
Integrated frame storage compartment
Bolt-on frame bag
Frame storage compartment prepared for a power bank
Large 180 mm brake rotor
A standout feature in this price and material bracket is the integrated down tube storage compartment, which comes as standard with a matching pouch for your puncture repair kit. When it comes to adventure readiness, ROSE really knock it out of the park. Alongside a massive number of mounting points on the fork and frame, the bike boasts a pre-installed wiring harness inside the down tube. You can connect a power bank here, and tap into its power via an integrated charging port right below the stem to charge your smartphone or bike computer.
There are no wild experiments here, just pure, proven reliability. The same philosophy extends to the geometry of the ROSE Backroad AL too. With a 395.5 mm reach and a 583 mm stack in size M, it places you in a balanced and touring-friendly riding position. This upright posture noticeably reduces strain on your neck and shoulders during long bikepacking trips. The moderate 430 mm chainstays and 1,041 mm wheelbase create a frame that does not catch you off guard with twitchy agility, but instead shines with completely predictable, composed handling. It is a setup that should give gravel newcomers an immense amount of confidence on loose gravel, from the very first metre.
| Size | XXS | XS | S | M | M/L | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 510 mm | 525 mm | 545 mm | 560 mm | 575 mm | 590 mm | 615 mm | 628 mm |
| Seat tube | 440 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 490 mm | 510 mm | 530 mm | 555 mm | 580 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm | 160 mm | 170 mm | 185 mm | 200 mm |
| Head angle | 70° | 70.5° | 71° | 71.3° | 71.3° | 71.5° | 71.5° | 71.8° |
| Seat angle | 75° | 74.8° | 74.5° | 74.3° | 74° | 73.8° | 73.5° | 73.5° |
| Chainstay | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm |
| BB Drop | 78 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,007 mm | 1,016 mm | 1,030 mm | 1,041 mm | 1,054 mm | 1,064 mm | 1,086 mm | 1,097 mm |
| Reach | 365 mm | 374.5 mm | 387 mm | 395.5 mm | 402 mm | 411 mm | 429 mm | 438 mm |
| Stack | 541 mm | 552 mm | 568 mm | 583 mm | 602 mm | 613 mm | 627 mm | 642 mm |
The ROSE Backroad AL Spec: Capable and Well Thought-out?
For the drivetrain, the Backroad AL relies on a mechanical Shimano GRX RX610 1×12 groupset. A 40 t chainring on the 170 mm cranks is paired with a massive 10-51t mountain bike cassette from Shimano’s SLX range. This gives you a huge gear range that will confidently get you up steep climbs, even when your bikepacking bags are fully loaded. Plenty of stopping power comes courtesy of a large 180 mm brake rotor at the front, providing a welcome safety reserve, and powerful bite when you are descending with a heavy load.
An internal storage compartment is a real rarity in this class, especially in an aluminium frame. It offers plenty of space and even comes with a matching pouch for your puncture kit as standard.
Pairing a 40 t chainring with a 10-51 t cassette, the Backroad AL gives you a more than generous gear range for the climbs.
Keeping you connected to the ground are the in-house ROSE G25 aluminium wheels. These are wrapped in 45 mm Continental Terra Adventure tires, which generate an immense amount of traction and grip on rough gravel and through the corners, though they proved to be rather sluggish in our 2026 gravel tire group test. Up front, you will find a 420 mm wide ROSE Gravel aluminium cockpit.
ROSE have pre-installed a wiring harness for a power bank inside the down tube. This feeds into an integrated USB-C charging port beneath the stem to power your smartphone or GPS computer on the go.
ROSE have fitted a 180 mm front rotor to compensate for the GRX brakes’ lack of bite, giving you crucial extra stopping power when carrying heavy touring loads.
Aluminium or carbon? Thanks to the exceptionally smooth, polished welds, you will barely notice a visual difference at first glance between the Backroad AL and the significantly more expensive carbon models in this group test.
The ROSE Backroad AL in the Best Gravel Bikes 2026 Group Review: A Bikepacker Through and Through?
Right from the first few metres, the ROSE Backroad AL welcomes you with a protective embrace, making it unmistakably clear that you are setting off on a voyage of discovery, not chasing seconds on the clock. This likable aluminium workhorse feels like the perfect partner for epic tours completely free from time pressure. The handling is ideal for beginners because it is intuitive, forgiving and predictable at all times. Thanks to its exceptional stability, paired with the high level of grip from the wide Continental tires, the bike gives you a reassuring sense of safety. It ploughs stoically over rough gravel and keeps its composure even on long, demanding descents with fully loaded bags, showing absolutely no hint of twitchiness.
While the Backroad AL is not an agile sports machine for explosive sprints, once you get it up to cruising speed, it rolls along smoothly and dependably. When it comes to comfort, however, the bike reveals two distinct sides. The upright, touring-friendly geometry places you in a highly comfortable and relaxed position over long distances. However, the bike is very stiff overall, meaning that harsh impacts are passed directly on to you due to a lack of inherent frame compliance. Out-and-out comfort champions leave this bike far behind.
However, the ROSE plays its absolute trump card when it comes to everyday bikepacking, and the practicality of its features. An integrated frame storage compartment in an aluminium down tube is a very welcome feature in this price bracket. The latch operates intuitively, and the storage space is generously sized. The included puncture kit pouch tucks away inside the frame completely rattle-free. Combined with the clever power bank integration, which allows you to charge your smartphone or bike computer on the handlebars directly from the frame while on the go, ROSE have put together a highly intelligent package.
Tuning Tip: Swap the sluggish Continental tires for a faster-rolling model to improve your forward momentum.
Who Is the ROSE Backroad AL For?
The ROSE Backroad AL is the ultimate recommendation if you are new to bikepacking, or simply looking for a dependable, budget-friendly all-rounder. While it is by no means a nimble trail rocket, it is a rock-solid, faithful companion. Thanks to its generous tire clearance, abundance of mounting points and reassuring handling, it provides the perfect platform for your first big adventure, while proving just as capable for your daily commute.
Shorts Gobik Grit 3.0 Bib Short | Shoes Shimano RX910 S-PHYRE | Socks Gobik ICON
Conclusions
ROSE have delivered a down-to-earth, no-frills interpretation of their adventure gravel platform with the Backroad AL. It scores highly for its versatility, safe handling and practical details like the integrated down tube storage compartment. However, it reveals clear weaknesses in a direct comparison. It brings up the rear as the most sluggish bike in the entire group test when accelerating, the tires roll heavily, and the stiff aluminium frame lacks any noticeable compliance. If you can overlook the lack of efficiency and responsiveness, you still get a beginner-friendly workhorse for every adventure.
Tops
- Down tube storage in an aluminium frame
- Abundance of mounting points
- Clean look
Flops
- Lack of comfort
- Sluggish tires
For more information, visit rosebikes.com.
The test field
This bike was tested as part of the Best Gravel Bikes 2026 group test. You can find an overview of this group test and all other gravel bikes tested here:
All bikes on test: Canyon Grizl 7 ESC | Falkenjagd Aristos GT | Rose Backroad AL | Specialized Diverge 4 Pro | Trek Checkpoint SL 7 | Trek Checkpoint+ SL7
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Words: Jan Fock Photos: Mike Hunger, Jan Fock
About the Author
Jan Fock
Junior Editor
Jan Fock combines sporting ambition with a deep understanding of cycling culture at 41 Publishing. As a social scientist, he brings a well-founded sense for trends and dynamics to the editorial team of GRAN FONDO magazine. His focus is on testing high-end road and gravel bikes, with a particular passion for bikepacking and punchy after work-rides. Jan combines his organizational talent with meticulous analysis, providing precise orientation in his profound buyer’s guides for all those who enjoy riding pushing themselves in the saddle.
