New 2025 ROSE BACKROAD on Review – Ready for Adventure?

A bold new design, more tire clearance and clever features like a dynamo hub and an integrated storage compartment: the 2025 ROSE BACKROAD leaves behind its all-rounder image and goes all-in on adventure. We got our hands on the successor to ROSE’s gravel best seller ahead of launch – and took it for a proper spin to see whether ROSE’s popular all-rounder has morphed into a full-blown adventure machine.

“Dare to explore” – few slogans could be more fitting as we find ourselves ankle-deep in sand in the Veluwe National Park. The sun shimmers over purple blooms, fine dust clouds swirl underneath the 50 mm tires, and our test bike looks like it’s been pulled straight from the pages of a survival magazine. The ROSE BACKROAD has been a runaway success for the German brand. When we tested the previous model in 2020, it impressed with great versatility, a solid spec and a price point that appealed to both ambitious gravel riders and everyday cyclists. It also proved that ROSE were quick to recognise the gravel trend – and got it right from the start. Now, the German manufacturer gave its bestseller a serious adventure-focused overhaul, drawing a clear line between this model and the race-oriented BACKROAD FF, which came out on top in our 2025 gravel race group test.

The new ROSE BACKROAD isn’t trying to be all things to all riders anymore. With clearance for much wider tires, more mounting points, an integrated storage compartment and – in the unsupported version – a dynamo hub, lighting system and onboard power bank, this is a bike built for serious backcountry exploring. ROSE are tapping into a growing trend in the gravel scene: a shift towards self-supported, long-distance capability. Hub dynamos, charging ports and built-in storage – once reserved for custom builds – are becoming standard on production bikes.

Just like Canyon’s Grizl CF Escape, ROSE are flipping the gravel adventure concept on its head. But can this new version carry on the success of the original? We took it for a proper ride before launch to find out.

Big Changes: the 2025 ROSE BACKROAD on Review – in Detail

At first glance, it’s obvious: this is no marketing exercise. The new BACKROAD’s adventure credentials run deep, from the bold silhouette to the integrated features. Overall, the frame looks burlier compared to the outgoing model: a boxier silhouette, chunkier top tube, beefier seatpost. The styling remains firmly routed in ROSE’s design language, but this version has been turned up a notch – more muscle, more presence. Even with the big storage compartment in the downtube, the design stays coherent. It doesn’t feel like overkill, which is the case with the car boot-sized compartment of the Orbea Terra Adventure.

Tire clearance is now up to 53 mm, which adds to the tough, purposeful look. The white version almost channels Cybertruck vibes, while the ‘Terra’ colourway gives off a certain Lego Duplo charm with its playful accents. At 11.0 kg in size M (including dynamo system, lights and power bank) it’s not exactly featherweight. But strip off the extra features and the ROSE BACKROAD starts to look more reasonable.

There are also plenty of mounting options: threaded eyelets on the frame and fork for bottle cages, bags, racks and mudguards – though mudguards only work with tire widths of up to 45 mm. The bike comes standard with a frame bag, and the unsupported model also has a top tube bag. Both are part of a collaboration with Fidlock and can be quickly clipped on and off thanks to the magnetic mounts. The frame bag, in particular, sits incredibly securely and, according to ROSE, even improves aerodynamics. We’ve seen a similar approach on the BACKROAD FF. In practical terms, it means that you gain about one watt with the bag mounted. And with the dynamo switched on, you’re only losing two watts instead of three. 😉

A Suitable Model for Everyone? The 2025 ROSE BACKROAD Spec Variants

ROSE offer the 2025 BACKROAD in two frame materials and a total of nine versions: five in carbon and four in aluminium. There are three main variants – the BACKROAD AL, the BACKROAD CF and the BACKROAD CF unsupported, which is the flagship adventure model. The aluminium BACKROAD with Shimano GRX RX400 groupset retails from € 2,000, and is aimed at bikepacking newcomers. Other builds feature GRX RX610 or SRAM Apex AXS XPLR groupsets. The AL version is available in sizes from XXS to XXL and comes in three colour options: Dune, Soleil and Soil.

Prices for the carbon BACKROAD start at € 3,000 (mechanical Shimano GRX RX820 groupset) and go up to € 4,200 for the models with either the electronic GRX Di2 or SRAM Force AXS XPLR. The CF models come in two colour options – Terra and Lions Mane – and are available in sizes XS to XL. The flagship “unsupported” model comes equipped with a SON dynamo hub, Supernova lighting, integrated power bank and a USB-C charging port. Priced at € 4,400, it’s built specifically for long-distance, self-supported adventures.

All CF models roll on Rose’s in-house G30 aluminium wheelset with a 27 mm internal rim width. For our test setup, they’re fitted with 50 mm wide Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres, which are designed to deliver loads of traction—not just in the Dutch heathlands. Rose don’t offer a carbon wheelset option for the Backroad, nor do they include a power meter or carbon cockpit in the spec.

All versions come with one standout feature: an integrated storage compartment in the frame. For the BACKROAD AL, this marks a genuine first – it’s the first aluminium gravel bike ever to include this feature. All models come with standard internal wiring (minus the power bank), which makes it particularly easy to retrofit a SON dynamo hub.

Let’s Go Wild! The ROSE BACKROAD unsupported Model

The unsupported version is the most uncompromising top-tier model in the new BACKROAD line-up – purpose-built for adventures far from civilisation. With a SON dynamo hub, Supernova lighting, integrated power bank and USB-C charging port, it’s designed to keep you riding for days without needing a plug socket.

At the heart of the system is the internal power supply. A switch in the bar-end plug lets you choose on the fly whether the dynamo powers the lights, charges the power bank in the down tube, or stays switched off entirely. According to ROSE, the dynamo draws around 3 watts of rider power. The 4.900 mAh power bank isn’t just a buffer for the lighting system – it also includes a USB-C port beneath the stem, allowing you to charge your GPS or smartphone while riding. This means that your entire setup stays powered without the need for external chargers or constantly worrying about battery levels.

The Supernova headlight switches on automatically in low light and offers not just a powerful dipped beam but also a bright high beam. In urban settings it might seem like overkill, but out in the wild or on remote forest trails, it’s a real safety bonus. At the rear, a permanently wired light ensures you’re visible from behind, with all cables neatly routed internally – the entire power distribution happens invisibly within the frame.

Even the standard CF and AL models come pre-routed from the factory, which makes it easy to retrofit a dynamo hub. To fully embrace the self-sufficiency concept, ROSE deliberately chose not to equip the unsupported model with electronic groupsets like Di2 or AXS – they would still require dedicated batteries. Instead, the bike runs the mechanical Shimano GRX RX820 for maximum reliability. If something goes wrong, a cable can be replaced anywhere – not something you can say for a snapped Di2 wire or a dead battery.

The Geometry of the 2025 ROSE BACKROAD

The geometry of the new BACKROAD 2025 shifts the focus even further towards comfort and adventure. With a reach of 396 mm and a stack of 581 mm in size M, the bike maintains a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.47 – just like its predecessor – clearly distinguishing it from the much more aggressive Backroad FF, which comes in at 1.41. The head angle is now 0.25° slacker than before, which should translate into more stable and composed handling. At the same time, the slightly steeper seat tube angle puts you in a more efficient pedalling position. The wheelbase has been extended by 14 mm to offer added stability when bombing down gravel tracks with a loaded setup, while the chainstays have been shortened by 2 mm to keep the rear end agile and responsive. All in all, the new Backroad strikes a clear middle ground between its predecessor and the race-focused Backroad FF, with a geometry that’s been purposefully tailored for big adventures and long days in the saddle.

Size	XS	S	M	M/L	L	XL
Seat Tube	462 mm	481 mm	501 mm	511 mm	531 mm	556 mm
Top Tube	525 mm	545 mm	560 mm	575 mm	590 mm	615 mm
Head Tube	102 mm	122 mm	137 mm	157 mm	167 mm	182 mm
Head Angle	70.5°	71°	71.25°	71.25°	71.5°	71.5°
Seat Angle	75.5°	74.5°	74.25°	74°	73.75°	73.5°
Chainstay	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	430 mm	430 mm
BB Drop	78 mm	78 mm	78 mm	78 mm	78 mm	78 mm
Wheelbase	1018 mm	1025 mm	1035 mm	1049 mm	1064 mm	1086 mm
Reach	384 mm	388 mm	396 mm	403 mm	412 mm	430 mm
Stack	545 mm	565 mm	581 mm	600 mm	610.5 mm	624.5 mm

Built for Adventure? The 2025 ROSE BACKROAD on Review

To put the new BACKROAD through its paces, we headed to the ROSE Adventure Summit in the Dutch Veluwe National Park. Sand, rooty trails and blooming heathland offered the perfect mix to test the bike on everything from punchy singletrack to long, flowing straights.

The new BACKROAD is neither a twitchy racer nor a sluggish pack mule. Acceleration is direct, but not explosive – no surprise given the 11 kg build, chunky 50 mm tires and sturdy aluminium wheels. The stiff frame delivers solid power transfer, but don’t expect it to feel especially snappy. What it does offer, though, is a huge amount of confidence. It holds its line with great stability and stays calm under pressure – no twitchiness, no fuss. It feels planted on fast descents, and truly comes to life on long gravel stretches and flowing forest tracks. It handles trails well too, though here it demands slightly more rider input. Handling is always intuitive and predictable,whether you’re in deep sand or rattling over loose gravel. The mechanical Shimano GRX 1×12 offers plenty of control and confidence with its wide gear range and powerful brakes. With its 40-tooth chainring and 10–51 cassette, the gearing is clearly on the easier side – perfect for tackling steep climbs with confidence, even when you’re loaded up with bikepacking gear. Rose have deliberately chosen this low-maintenance drivetrain, and it holds its own when it comes to shifting performance, even against Di2 or AXS. Reliable and easy to look after, it’s built for adventure in Anatolia. The wide tires only add to that monster truck feeling, making the BACKROAD a reliable companion long after other bikes would have thrown in the towel. Prefer something quicker and more nimble? Check out our gravel tire group test for faster-rolling alternatives.

On tarmac, the higher rolling resistance and slightly sluggish feel become noticeable – it takes a bit more effort to build up speed. Once you get the bike up to speed, it impresses with its efficient rolling performance. What’s surprising is the BACKROAD’s handling: despite its relaxed, straight-line stability, it still navigates tighter corners with ease and stays well controlled, even in deep heathland sand. Comfort comes mainly from the combination of the wide tires and well-balanced geometry. The frame itself is on the stiffer side, while the seatpost cut-out provides a bit of flex – especially noticeable for lighter riders. That said, the ride is never harsh. Paired with a sporty but relaxed riding position, it’s a setup that makes even long hours in the saddle feel manageable. The cockpit is also well designed, with ergonomics that feel spot-on whether you’re riding on the tops or down in the drops.

The only real downside is standard top tube bag. While it’s a practical idea, the execution isn’t perfect. To fit the ultra-wide top tube, the bag had to be made fairly wide, but it’s also quite shallow – just enough space for snacks or small bits and pieces, but not really enough for a phone. To remove it, it has to be slid sideways to the left. That means if you’re used to swinging your right knee forward when starting off or stopping at lights, you might end up knocking it off by accident.

Tuning tip: Fit a set of lightweight carbon wheels for a livelier ride and reduced overall weight.

Who should take a closer look at the ROSE BACKROAD?

The new ROSE BACKROAD is a purpose-built adventure machine for bikepackers and off-road enthusiasts who want to stay off the grid for days at a time. If your idea of fun involves gravel roads, forest trails or remote landscapes like the Australian Outback, this bike is a solid and reliable partner. If you’d rather plough through mud on fat tires than glide across smooth tarmac, you’ll feel right at home astride the BACKROAD.

Even commuters with a taste for adventure will get on well with it – the BACKROAD isn’t a classic commuter bike, but with mounting points for racks and an integrated lighting system, it’s perfectly capable of handling day-to-day riding. And while ROSE clearly steered the BACKROAD towards the adventure category, it’s still versatile enough to handle more traditional gravel riding. Thanks to the relaxed geometry, the high level of comfort and planted handling, it’s just as suited to long mixed-surface rides or post-work laps through the woods, even without bikepacking bags. So unless you’re chasing KOMs, the BACKROAD is the better all-round option compared to the FF, which is firmly aimed at race-focused riders.

Conclusions

The new 2025 ROSE BACKROAD is a true adventure companion – built for comfort, long-distance rides and proper off-road fun. With clever touches like integrated storage compartment, internal wiring and Fidlock bags, it shows just how well thought-out an adventure-ready gravel bike can be. The wide tires, composed handling and relaxed riding position inspire confidence, even when the terrain gets rough. ROSE made a clear move away from the all-rounder gravel concept and positioned the BACKROAD firmly in the adventure camp. Bottom line: this isn’t just adventure as a marketing slogan – the features and execution fully deliver on the promise.

Find out more on ROSEbikes.com

 

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Words: Jan Fock Photos: ROSE, Jan Fock