Brand new ROSE BACKROAD AL gravel bike announced – ROSE challenges the entry-level gravel market
ROSE are going all-in with the new BACKROAD AL gravel bike and extend a warm welcome to all future gravel fans. If the price for a decently equipped gravel bike has so far been your biggest barrier to entry to the gravel world, ROSE are now offering three good reasons why that needn’t be the case: the ROSE BACKROAD AL GRX RX400, the BACKROAD AL APEX 1×11 and the BACKROAD AL GRX RX600. Three well-equipped aluminium gravel bikes that maintain the virtues of their carbon sibling. You can find out everything you need to know here.
The ROSE BACKROAD wasn’t drawn on a blank slate. In our previous test, we found the carbon ROSE BACKROAD GRX RX810 Di2 to have great all-round handling and a well-balanced level of comfort. That makes it all the more logical for ROSE to expand their platform and make it more accessible with an aluminium frame. ROSE have introduced the BACKROAD AL in three specs, with prices starting at € 1,549.
What’s new and what’s the same with the ROSE BACKROAD AL?
First things first. In terms of features, the ROSE BACKROAD AL doesn’t have to hide behind its carbon big brother. At a glance, the lines of the frame are aesthetic and pleasing and ROSE have maintained a clean look for the BACKROAD AL. Smoothed out welds and fully-integrated cables are intended to give it unmistakable similarity to its carbon counterpart – successfully so. The integrated seat post clamp also contributes to the sleek design. The aluminium frame is paired with a carbon fork. The frameset offers enough space to fit up to 50 mm 650B or 45 mm 700C tires. The fork is also furnished with three bosses on each leg, which, according to ROSE, should make the BACKROAD AL a capable bikepacking partner. If you want to swap or upgrade parts, ROSE promise that the bars, stem and spacers can all be swapped without having to reroute the internal cables.
Lots of gravel for not much dough – The components of the brand new ROSE
ROSE will offer the BACKROAD AL in three different builds. The most affordable of these is the ROSE BACKROAD AL GRX RX400 for € 1,549. Equipped with a complete Shimano GRX RX400 groupset, DT Swiss P1850 SPLINE Disc wheelset, Schwalbe G-One Allround tires and a mix of Ritchey and ROSE’s own finishing kit, the price/performance ratio is very competitive. To put the cherry on top, the BACKROAD AL GRX RX400 is also fitted with a Shimano GRX 600 crankset. For € 1,599 you’ll get the ROSE BACKROAD AL APEX 1×11 with a SRAM Apex 1x-groupset and for € 1,799, ROSE equip the BACKROAD AL GRX RX600 with a complete Shimano GRX RX600 group. ROSE add extra value to the most expensive model with a Shimano RX812 derailleur.
Alongside these gravel bikes, ROSE have a second launch planned for the end of the year. This is when they’ll make a Shimano GRX RX810 equipped ROSE BACKROAD AL available, which should weigh just 9.2 kg. For gravel fans who like to take on more challenging terrain, ROSE will also offer the BACKROAD AL Mullet build towards the end of 2020. Equipped with a SRAM Apex 1 groupset, smaller ROSE R Thirty DISC 27.5″ wheels, a suspension stem from Redshift alongside further tweaks to the saddle, tires and bars, ROSE claim trips on more demanding trails will be possible too.
ROSE BACKROAD AL GRX RX400
Frame ROSE BACKROAD AL
Fork Full carbon fork with three mounting points
Drivetrain Shimano GRX RX400, 2×10
BrakesShimano BR-RX400
Wheelset DT Swiss P1850 SPLINE Disc
Tires Schwalbe G-One Allround, 650 x 40B // from 51 cm: 700 x 38C
Seat post ROSE Race Attack
Saddle Selle Italia X3 Flow black/black
Bars Ritchey WCS Butano
Stem Ritchey WCS Toyon
Weight 9.6 kg (claimed weight)
Price € 1,549
Available sizes 46 cm (650B), 49 cm (650B), 51 cm, 53 cm, 55 cm, 57 cm, 59 cm, 61 cm, 64 cm
Availability Can be ordered immediately at rosebikes.com with anticipated delivery from Octobe
ROSE BACKROAD AL APEX 1×11
Frame ROSE BACKROAD AL
Fork Full carbon fork with three mounting points
Drivetrain SRAM Apex 1, 1×11
Brakes SRAM Apex
Wheelset DT Swiss P1850 SPLINE Disc
Tires Schwalbe G-One Allround, 650 x 40B // from 51cm: G-One Bite 700 x 38C
Seat post ROSE Race Attack
Saddle Selle Italia X3 Flow black/black
Bars Ritchey WCS Butano
Stem Ritchey WCS Toyon
Weight 9.6 kg (claimed weight)
Price € 1,599
Available sizes 46 cm (650B), 49 cm (650B), 51 cm, 53 cm, 55 cm, 57 cm, 59 cm, 61 cm, 64 cm
Availability Can be ordered immediately at rosebikes.com with anticipated delivery from October
ROSE BACKROAD AL GRX RX600
Frame ROSE BACKROAD AL
Fork Full carbon fork with three mounting points
Drivetrain Shimano GRX RX600, 1×11
Brakes Shimano BR-RX600
Wheelset DT Swiss P1850 SPLINE Disc
Tires Schwalbe G-One Allround, 650 x 40B // from 51cm: G-One Bite 700 x 38C
Seat post ROSE Race Attack
Saddle Selle Italia X3 Flow black/black
Bars Ritchey WCS Butano
Stem Ritchey WCS Toyon
Weight 9.6 kg (claimed weight)
Price € 1,799
Available sizes 46 cm (650B), 49 cm (650B), 51 cm, 53 cm, 55 cm, 57 cm, 59 cm, 61 cm, 64 cm
Availability Can be ordered immediately at rosebikes.com with anticipated delivery from October
The geometry of the ROSE BACKROAD AL
The ROSE BACKROAD AL is available in nine different sizes that should suit riders with inseams ranging from 63 cm to 100 cm. While the two smallest sizes are delivered with 650B wheels, the other sizes all come with 700C wheels
Geometry with 650B-Wheels
| Size | 46 cm (650B) | 49 cm (650B) |
|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 420 mm | 450 mm |
| Top tube | 495 mm | 506 mm |
| Head tube | 110 mm | 118 mm |
| Head angle | 69.5° | 69.5° |
| Seat tube angle | 75.0° | 74.5° |
| Chainstays | 430 mm | 430 mm |
| Bottom bracket drop | 72 mm | 72 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,002 mm | 1,009 mm |
| Reach | 352 mm | 356 mm |
| Stack | 535 mm | 542 mm |
Geometry with 700C-Wheels
| Size | 51 cm | 53 cm | 55 cm | 57 cm | 59 cm | 61 cm | 64 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 475 mm | 490 mm | 500 mm | 510 mm | 530 mm | 555 mm | 605 mm |
| Top tube | 519 mm | 531 mm | 543 mm | 560 mm | 570 mm | 586 mm | 606 mm |
| Head tube | 128 mm | 142 mm | 158 mm | 175 mm | 190 mm | 205 mm | 228 mm |
| Head angle | 70.0° | 70.5° | 70.5° | 71.0° | 71.3° | 71.5° | 72.0° |
| Seat tube angle | 74.3° | 74.0° | 73.8° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.3° | 73.0° |
| Chainstays | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm |
| Bottom bracket drop | 70 mm | 70 mm | 70 mm | 70 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,016 mm | 1,022 mm | 1,032 mm | 1,042 mm | 1,052 mm | 1,063 mm | 1,075 mm |
| Reach | 364 mm | 369 mm | 374 mm | 383 mm | 389 mm | 398 mm | 408 mm |
| Stack | 552 mm | 567 mm | 582 mm | 600 mm | 610 mm | 623 mm | 650 mm |
Our verdict
ROSE has put together a promising gravel bike with the BACKROAD AL. The clean frame, sensible spec and hard to beat value for money have whetted our appetite. We’ll have to see whether the aluminium version can keep up with its big carbon brother, the ROSE BACKROAD,during testing. Until then, we’ll be waiting with bated breath for the test bike to arrive with us.
You can find out more information about the ROSE BACKROAD AL 2021 at ww.rosebikes.de
What other exciting bikes are currently available? You can find all the bikes that we’ve been testing here.
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: ROSE Bikes
