ROSE BACKROAD FORCE ETAP AXS LIMITED review

The ROSE BACKROAD FORCE ETAP AXS LIMITED adds a dash of disco flavour to our gravel bike group test. Are its unique spec and glittery look the secret recipe for a perfect gravel all-rounder? We found out.

A quick overview of this group test: The best gravel bike 2021

What looks to be an understated grey mouse in the shade turns out to be a glittering gravel queen in direct sunlight: the ROSE BACKROAD FORCE ETAP AXS LIMITED lights up like a rainbow. If you remember the BACKROAD from 2017 (read review), you will find it difficult to believe your eyes when you see the latest model. The direct to consumer brand has come a long way! The carbon frameset of the latest ROSE features four sets of bosses for bottle cages, triple-cage mounts on both sides of the carbon fork and eyelets for mudguards. The seat clamp, like the cable routing, is completely integrated into the frame. A recess in the seat tube moves the clamping area of the proprietary seat post further down, allowing it to flex more. The cable ports are cleverly hidden under the stem in the headset cover. Our € 4,949 test bike comes equipped with a 2×12 SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset with 46/33 t chainrings and a 10–33 t cassette, 160 mm brake rotors front and rear and ROSE GC FORTY DISC wheels. Unlike the Canyon Grail, ROSE chose not to spec the “Wide” version of the SRAM derailleur, which means that it isn’t compatible with the bigger 10–36 t cassette. While the smaller cassette allows you to pedal at 45 km/h, steep climbs demand more muscle power.

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Size	50	53	55	57	59	62
Seat tube	450 mm	480 mm	500 mm	520 mm	540 mm	575 mm
Top tube	515 mm	534 mm	550 mm	568 mm	582 mm	602 mm
Head tube	100 mm	120 mm	135 mm	150 mm	165 mm	188 mm
Head angle	71.0°	71.3°	71.5°	71.8°	72.0°	72.0°
Seat angle	75.0°	74.5°	74.0°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
Chainstays	427 mm	427 mm	427 mm	434 mm	434 mm	434 mm
BB Drop	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm
Wheelbase	1,000 mm	1,012 mm	1,021 mm	1,039 mm	1,051 mm	1,072 mm
Reach	371 mm	380 mm	386 mm	395 mm	404 mm	417 mm
Stack	536 mm	555 mm	570 mm	586 mm	601 mm	623 mm

The spec of the Rose isn’t entirely consistent. While the cockpit and tires scream off-road, the drivetrain and wheels call more for hard-packed surfaces and all-road conditions.

As with the Ridley Kanzo Fast, the BACKROAD comes fitted with 700 x 42C WTB Venture Road TCS tires, which left a mixed impression in our gravel tire group test, offering lots of grip but also lots of rolling resistance. The Ritchey WCS Carbon VentureMax handlebar combines compact drops with excellent ergonomics.

The ROSE accelerates efficiently when you step on the pedals. It’s not the liveliest bike on test but it’s light-footed enough for the occasional sprint. The comparatively light wheelset and the pleasantly low weight of 8.65 kg in size 57 are noticeable here. The efficiency of the BACKROAD depends heavily on the nature of the terrain. While the WTB tires require you to keep pedalling on hardpack and asphalt, their high grip and good overall comfort help the gravel bike achieve good off-road efficiency.

They provide excellent damping of small bumps and stay securely planted on the ground. The bike itself isn’t phased by bigger hits but the further you extend the D-shaped seatpost, the more it acts like a leaf spring, bouncing taller riders out of the saddle. Apart from that, the ROSE performed convincingly in terms of long-distance comfort. The compliance of the front and rear are well matched and the compact drop of the handlebar keeps the drops within easy reach of those of us with spines and ribs. Compared to the test field, the ROSE is pleasantly manoeuvrable and agile with its 700C wheels. In contrast to the 650B model, the agility of the front and rear is more balanced, helping the bike’s composure. The bike willingly responds to steering input and the handling makes for a dynamic and sporty ride. Both the wide, flared handlebars and the ample grip offered by the WTB tires make you feel confident and in control. Only large compressions while seated might make the rider’s confidence waiver momentarily due to the bouncy seatpost.

Tuning-tips: for hilly terrain and compact surfaces: faster tires with good damping | for mountainous terrain and loose surfaces: ROSE BACKROAD AXS Mullet Build

Conclusion

The ROSE BACKROAD FORCE ETAP AXS LIMITED offers a balanced mix of agility and stability as well as numerous mounting points for fenders, bottle cages and luggage, proving to be a capable all-round gravel bike for all skill levels that is just as suitable as a daily commuter in hilly terrain. However, the limited gear ratio of the drivetrain and the high rolling resistance of the tires limit the bike’s potential.

Not sure which gravel bike you should buy? This guide will help you for sure: gravel bike buyers guide.
You wonder what tires to put on your gravel machine? We recently tested the best gravel tires against each other in our gravel tire group test.

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More information here: rosebikes.co.uk

The testfield:

Get an overview of this group test: The best gravel-bike 2021 – 13 models on review
All bikes on review: 3T Exploro Race EKAR 1X13 (Click for review) | ARC8 Eero (Click for review) | BMC URS 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 (Click for review) | Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 eTap (Click for review) | Fustle Causeway GRX600 (Click for review) | OPEN WI.DE. (Click for review) | Ridley Kanzo Fast (Click for review) | Ritte Satyr (Click for review) | ROSE BACKROAD FORCE ETAP AXS LIMITED | ROSE BACKROAD AL GRX RX600 1X11 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Diverge (Click for review) | Trek Checkpoint (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl