Out with the old categories! For the 2026 model year, ROSE BIKES are shaking up the foundations of the traditional road bike market, with the aim of sending conventional endurance bikes into retirement. The outgoing REVEAL makes way for a new philosophy: the ROSE SHAVE.
With their new AergoConcept (Aerodynamics + Ergonomics, if you’re wondering), ROSE are trying to bridge between the worlds of aerodynamics and comfort. The frame’s wind tunnel-optimised tube shapes are designed to minimise drag, while the geometry, with a noticeably higher stack, puts you in a more upright riding position than you would be able to achieve on an aero-optimised race bike.
The result is intended to be a clean all-in-one platform that looks every bit as sporty as the aggressive SHAVE FFX race bike, while the higher stack puts you in a noticeably more upright riding position. With clearance for 36 mm tyres, the SHAVE also gives you a little more room to play with than classic road bikes.
We were able to put the bike through its paces for several weeks, hammering it across tarmac and smooth gravel roads to find out how much of the SHAVE FFX’s race DNA really carries over to this bike, where the setup reaches its limits, and who the concept ultimately works for.
Reinventing the All-in-One Bike? The ROSE SHAVE in Detail
Expecting a fugly endurance bike with an oversized head tube? Think again. The SHAVE looks every inch a road bike, with a sporty silhouette and clean lines. The clever bit lies in the details. Aerodynamic optimisation is no longer reserved exclusively for long, low race bikes. Quite the opposite: a more upright position is easier to sustain, opens up the hip angle, and takes pressure off your lower back. The SHAVE takes this idea to its logical conclusion, starting with the frame.
At its heart is a frameset developed in a virtual wind tunnel. While its more extreme sibling, the SHAVE FFX, relies on a lower stack and narrow cockpit, the standard SHAVE takes a slightly more realistic approach for most road riders. The 36 mm tire clearance fits the concept perfectly: enough room for rough tarmac and the odd gravel track, without pretending to have off-road capabilities. We think this is just the right amount of freedom to give a road bike, increasing versatility without compromising handling and performance.
Those who prioritise maximum lightness over wide tires should take a closer look at the weight. In our test setup with SRAM Force AXS, the SHAVE tips the scales at 7.84 kg. For an endurance road bike in this price range, that’s not bad, but it’s no featherweight. Riders after something more uncompromising should look to the racier SHAVE FFX: the top model with SRAM RED AXS comes in at 6.66 kg. For an extra € 3,300, you can save yourself 1.2 kg.
When it comes to price, ROSE are as competitive as ever, structuring the range clearly around intended use. The Shimano 105 Di2 model marks the entry point into the new platform at € 3,600. Our SHAVE Force AXS test bike changes hands for € 5,200, placing it directly below the uncompromising FF race series, which starts at € 5,600.
The understated matt Supersonic Grey finish of our test bike reinforces the clean concept, though like the rest of the largely grey colour palette across the other model variants, it keeps a fairly low profile.
No Compromises: the ROSE SHAVE Spec
While many competitors in this price bracket still skimp on the power meter, ROSE don’t do things by halves here. Every build comes with a single-sided power meter as standard, from the 105 Di2 entry-level model at € 3,600 to our test bike at € 5,200. For the drivetrain, ROSE rely on SRAM Force AXS, with a 2×12 setup. The combination of 46/33 t chainrings and a 10-33 t cassette gives you a well-balanced gear range, with enough top-end for fast riding on the flats, and plenty in reserve for steeper terrain.
Rose Shave 2026
€ 5,200
Specifications
Seatpost Rose Shave D-Shaped
Brakes SRAM FORCE AXS 160/140 mm
Drivetrain SRAM Force AXS 2 x 12
Chainring 46/33 T
Stem ROSE Shave Cockpit 100 mm
Handlebar ROSE Shave Cockpit 390 mm
Wheelset Newmen Advanced A.50 12 x 100 / 12 x 142
Tires Continental Grand Prix TR 700 x 32c
Cranks SRAM FORCE AXS Power Meter 170 mm
Cassette SRAM FORCE XG-1270 10-33T
Technical Data
Size XS S M ML L XL
Weight 7,84 kg
Specific Features
Single-Sided Power Meter Included
Higher Stack Compared to the Shave FFX
36 mm Tyre Clearance
Integrated Cockpit
Our test bike rolls on NEWMEN Advanced A.50 carbon wheels, with 50 mm deep rims. They’re paired with 32 mm Continental Grand Prix TR tyres in a tubeless setup. That still leaves the full 36 mm tyre clearance untapped, giving you a little room to go wider. The fully integrated ROSE SHAVE cockpit on our test bike measures 390 mm wide with a 100 mm stem length, complemented by a D-shaped seatpost.
Aerodynamics Meet Comfort: the Geometry of the ROSE SHAVE
ROSE have deliberately designed the new SHAVE around an ergonomic riding position. Our size M test bike has a reach of 378 mm paired with a stack of 584 mm, resulting in a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.54. That promises to offer a noticeably more upright and compact riding position than on the SHAVE FFX. The 989 mm wheelbase, combined with a 73.0° head angle, suggests a balance of agility and composure. Despite the clearance for 36 mm tyres, the chainstays remain a short 412 mm across all sizes, hinting at a responsive rear end. The cockpit suits the bike’s all-rounder credentials: while the FFX uses a narrower 370 mm handlebar, the SHAVE comes with a 390 mm bar, promising more control in everyday riding.
| Size | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 505 mm | 525 mm | 545 mm | 566 mm | 582 mm | 602 mm |
| Seat tube | 435 mm | 470 mm | 492 mm | 512 mm | 537 mm | 575 mm |
| Head tube | 123 mm | 138 mm | 157 mm | 175 mm | 196 mm | 223 mm |
| Head angle | 71.0° | 72.0° | 73.0° | 73.25° | 73.25° | 73.25° |
| Seat angle | 75.0° | 74.5° | 74.0° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° |
| Chainstay | 412 mm | 412 mm | 412 mm | 412 mm | 412 mm | 412 mm |
| BB Drop | 73 mm | 73 mm | 73 mm | 73 mm | 73 mm | 73 mm |
| Wheelbase | 975 mm | 982 mm | 989 mm | 1,002 mm | 1,020 mm | 1,039 mm |
| Reach | 360 mm | 370 mm | 378 mm | 388 mm | 398 mm | 410 mm |
| Stack | 544 mm | 562 mm | 584 mm | 602 mm | 622 mm | 648 mm |
Speed for Everyone: the ROSE SHAVE On Test
From the first few metres in the saddle, the new ROSE SHAVE makes it clear that it interprets comfort very differently from classic, sluggish endurance bikes. The blend of comfortable ergonomics and high performance works straight away. The bike immediately feels familiar and confidence-inspiring.
Put the power down, and the SHAVE proves just how stiff its frame is. The bottom bracket transfers your effort directly, the rear end works efficiently, resulting in a bike which feels almost as fast and responsive as the aggressive FFX flagship model. Every input is transferred instantly. In practice, this eagerness from a standing start is held back only by the rotating mass: the combination of the slightly more flexy NEWMEN wheels and the 32 mm Continental Grand Prix TR tyres feels a little sluggish under hard acceleration, robbing the sprint of that final razor-sharp explosiveness. Once the bike is up to cruising speed, however, it rolls very efficiently. On long, flat straights, the SHAVE holds its speed well, rewarding you with a wonderfully smooth ride feel.
On descents and rolling terrain, the handling feels noticeably more stable and balanced than on the FFX. The SHAVE doesn’t tip into corners quite as aggressively, and needs a little more guidance through tight bends or fast hairpins. In return, it feels planted and forgiving on the tarmac. The frame still gives you plenty of feedback, allowing you to ride actively and dynamically.
The speed comes at a price, though: the 50 mm deep rims and aero frame design send noticeable pulses through the bars in gusty crosswinds. Thanks to the generous stack, however, they’re much easier to control than on an uncompromising race machine. Even so, the SHAVE isn’t a totally carefree beginner’s bike. Compared with all-out racing machines, however, the generous stack makes for noticeably more composed, relaxed handling.
When it comes to comfort, the SHAVE remains sporty and firm, despite its more relaxed geometry. Don’t expect a sofa-like endurance bike here: the frame does little to filter out vibrations from the road surface, even with large tubeless tires. Compared with the FFX, which sits firmly on the uncomfortable side thanks to its extremely unforgiving carbon spokes, the SHAVE at least takes some of the sting out of nasty road imperfections.
The cockpit underlines this slightly less aggressive character. At 390 mm wide, the bar gives you more control and a more relaxed shoulder position. Visually, the translation of the fast race look is a complete success. The SHAVE looks extremely clean and modern, even if the FFX appears a touch more uncompromising in direct comparison. For riders looking for a fast long-distance road bike with excellent ergonomics and a modern aero aesthetic, this could be just the ticket.
Tuning tip: For a bit more snap, upgrade to some lighter, faster tires.
Who is the ROSE SHAVE For?
For the vast majority of riders, the ROSE SHAVE is the better and more sensible choice than its uncompromising, race-focused sibling. As a versatile and controllable allroad bike for beginners and comfort-conscious riders, its manageable geometry strikes the perfect balance for everyday riding situations. And because the 390 mm cockpit isn’t overly narrow, amateur riders who aren’t chasing every last aero gain will find the bike much easier to keep under control when things get hectic.
Conclusion
For riders who want to go fast without contorting themselves into an extreme position, the ROSE SHAVE delivers a bike with a coherent concept. From the aero frame and adapted geometry to the well-considered spec, including a power meter as standard, the package makes sense. Combined with its 36 mm tire clearance, the SHAVE is the perfect all-rounder for amateur riders. In everyday riding, the SHAVE impresses with stable handling and solid efficiency, though it lacks the directness of the FFX. Those who need every last drop of race DNA should go for the flagship model. For everyone else, the SHAVE is the better deal.
Tops
- High-speed stability
- Endurance geometry
- Integrated power meter as standard
Flops
- Wheel and tire combination feels a little sluggish under acceleration
More info at rosebikes.de.
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Words & Photos: Jan Fock
About the Author
Jan Fock
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.
