It almost looks as though the Germans took a deep breath and blew the dust off their portfolio: The new ROSE BACKROAD Ultegra Di2 just looks great. But can the performance match the new fresh look?
The ROSE BACKROAD ULTEGRA Di2 in detail
It’s pretty obvious that the people at ROSE take their image very seriously. And that’s why once again the German family business had the urge to reinvent themselves — and this time they did this by revising their website, refreshing the logo and introducing even more attractive bike designs. When we pulled the bike out of the box GRAN FONDO founder Robin laughed out loud: ” I rode this bike from Görlitz to Usedom with Ano! Cherries, petrol stations and hardly any money – we had a blast!”. Unlike Robin’s adventure rig our test ROSE features a complete Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes. Our size 57 cm test bike in petrol-black weighs in at 8,59 kg.
If you’re familiar with older ROSE models and check out the pretty design of the new BACKROAD you’ll agree with us: a massive style improvement right there! To round off the pretty image ROSE completed the frameset with Schwalbe G-One all-round tires, a Ritchey WCS cockpit and ROSE’s in-house R-Thirty Disc wheels.
The spec includes many in-house components and makes the BACKROAD even more of a full-blooded ROSE steed — a safe bet. Details such as the downtube skidplate and Jagwire cable-clips reveal a true love for details — only the Di2 Junction box under the stem spoils the harmonious overall picture — in our opinion, this should have been neatly integrated in the frame or handlebars. ROSE did a better job with the integration of the mudguards mounts.
First riding impressions
The riding position is stretched and sporty. The BACKROAD converts every pedal stroke into acceleration and the liveliness on start-up matches the highly efficient overall character of the bike: the stiff frame literally begs you to ride faster especially when the terrain is compact and (relatively) flat. When roots and bigger obstacles come into the picture the ROSE starts bucking and offers little comfort— the poor frame compliance really dents your confidence when riding on rough terrain. The ROSE feels rather cumbersome in tight corners — full speed in a straight line is what it really likes!
The sluggish cornering aptitude of the BACKROAD doesn’t reflect its fresh look — in our humble opinion ROSE’s development team could easily step things up a little in the future, like they’ve already done with the paint job. Shimano’s powerful hydraulic ULTEGRA brakes suit the speed-oriented character of the bike and yet you need good skills and an experienced hand to prevent the rear wheel from blocking up completely. The Schwalbe tires roll well, complement the strengths of the BACKROAD and underline the nervous character of the frame — however, a noticeable lack of reserves on loose surfaces comes with it. Chunkier tires with a more aggressive profile would help balancing the performance of the BACKROAD and sensibly widen its field of application — a very sensible upgrade in our opinion.
650B wheelset with chunkier and knobbier tires for better off road performance
Conclusion
The ROSE BACKROAD weighs in at 8.59 kg and retails at € 3,199. It’s a fun yet efficient bike and is a great option for speed freaks who want to be fast on rough roads and forest motorways. Off-road junkies with trail ambitions, on the other hand, will struggle with its strong racing DNA. With a wide range of configuration options, the people at ROSE prove that the BACKROAD is a versatile platform for individual customisation. This also makes it an exciting, price-efficient option for all-road commuters.
Strengths
- Efficient on compact surfaces
- Craftsmanship and finish
- Harmonious overall picture
Weaknesses
- Lack of comfort
- Relatively high top tube
Price: € 3,199
Weight: 8.59 kg size L
Info: rosebikes.de
Here you’ll find our current group test on the best gravel bike.
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Words: Photos: David Rösler, Valentin Rühl
