Rose Backroad FF (2024)

[Requiem84]

Seems a great proposition for a fast (aero), light (8kg) and decently priced bike (5k for top model with Force 1x).

Anyone already on one of these? Curious to hear experiences.

[Requiem84]

So not many people into this brand I guess?

I just noticed that they now also advertise the Backroad FF with Red 1x13 for 7k. Quite steep compared to the 5k of the Force 1x set-up, but gotta admit in m'n quite tempted. Weight is 7.6kg, that is quite exceptional for a gravel bike including 40mm tires.

https://www.rosebikes.nl/rose-backroad- ... sonic+Grey

(img below with other group set)

[biosync]

https://www.laufcycles.com/product/lauf-seigla

Lauf sells the Seigla with the Red XPLR for 6k. But yeah it's heavier than this one though.

[Agent041]

I love Rose brand. Had their top road bike Rose X-Lite Six (my last rim brake bike), and was the best bike for climbing I ever had. It came with their own wheels which were also great, and Ritchey carbon components. Great bike. Wanted also to buy newer road model, but it had too much agresive geometry for me.

Wanted to also buy Rose Backroad (GRX600 group) last year, but gave up on waiting for stock. And also the colour scheme was not exactly for me.

So if I were in market for such a level gravel bike, Rose would definatelly be my first choice.

[Requiem84]

What makes it interesting to me is that - on paper (!) - this bike ticks all the boxes to be both a gravel and road bike

- it's light. 7.6kg
- it has clearance for up to 45mm
- it has an aero design
- geometry is very close to a roadbike (almost same as my aeroad (!). Not sure how goid road geo on gravel is tho?
- you can chose different stem / bar width I believe
- Wheels have good specs. Front is 40mm Ext width
- price is good (5k for Force 1x)

I'll buy the Red 1x13 probably and then will look for a road wheelset to swap wheels depending on my mood.

[jayjay]

- you can chose different stem / bar width I believe

Haven't seen this option on the Rose website in a long time.

- geometry is very close to a roadbike (almost same as my aeroad (!). Not sure how goid road geo on gravel is tho?

The handlebar has some kind of rise.

[Requiem84]

- you can chose different stem / bar width I believe

Haven't seen this option on the Rose website in a long time.

- geometry is very close to a roadbike (almost same as my aeroad (!). Not sure how goid road geo on gravel is tho?

The handlebar has some kind of rise.

I read somewhere you can ask customer service to change this for you. Not sure tho. Will check with them.

[Agent041]

Few years ago, Rose had it own calculator, so you could choose all kinds of gearing, sizes, equipment,... Now I think it is not possible anymore. But upon special request, maybe as mentioned bar/stem.

Forgot to mention. There is only one downside of Rose bikes. You can simply add those 5% to the weight of the bike. It is definately heavier. All Rose bikes are. About 5%. As they say it can vary up to 5%. But then again, most brands lie about bike weight. My previous road bike Giant TCR was about 0,5kg heavier as stated.

[KalleWirsch]

What makes it interesting to me is that - on paper (!) - this bike ticks all the boxes to be both a gravel and road bike

- it's light. 7.6kg

Be careful. Typically, Rose is way too optimistic with their weight claims. If they say +/- 5%, add 5% to get the realistic weight.

- it has an aero design

Mmmhhh. Sure? Have you seen the front with the headtube? Is tis really aero?

- you can chose different stem / bar width I believe

I don´t think so.

- Wheels have good specs. Front is 40mm Ext width

Wheels from Rose didn´t perform well in aero tests in the past.

[Requiem84]

@Kallewinsch: wheels are made by Newman.

[KalleWirsch]

@Kallewinsch: wheels are made by Newman.

Only the hubs, which doesn´t matter too much for aerodynamic.

[Requiem84]

@Kallewinsch: wheels are made by Newman.

Only the hubs, which doesn´t matter too much for aerodynamic.

Ah my bad indeed, I was reading the marketing mumbo-jumbo and thought they said the entire wheel was developped together with Newman, but the website only mentions the hubs:

Maximum speed was also a must for the hubs, which were developed in collaboration with the specialists from Newmen.

I sense from your posts that you are not particularly impressed with Rose, do you think the Backroad FF is not a good bike? As it is still on no 1 on my list, but I'm still open for alternatives.

[KalleWirsch]

To be fair, I haven´t ridden it, because there are no options for a test ride here around.
I also see it as an attractive option from the specs. Therefore, I´m looking for real life tests, which I could not find, so far. This irritates me.

I owned the previous backroad (without ff) and it was noticeable slower than other bikes, because of the heavy frame and the heavy wheels. That's why I'm skeptical about the factory specifications and maketing mumbo-jumbo from Rose.

[Requiem84]

To be fair, I haven´t ridden it, because there are no options for a test ride here around.
I also see it as an attractive option from the specs. Therefore, I´m looking for real life tests, which I could not find, so far. This irritates me.

I owned the previous backroad (without ff) and it was noticeable slower than other bikes, because of the heavy frame and the heavy wheels. That's why I'm skeptical about the factory specifications and maketing mumbo-jumbo from Rose.

Fair points.

I still kind of feel that the 7k price for a Full 1x13 Red AXS XPLR is a good price (looking at retailers, I only see 4k price for the groupset alone (!)), especially IF (IF!) the wheels are also good quality.

So I will very likely pull the trigger for a Size M, white once they are available again on their website. Once I have it I'll be happy to share my impressions here.

[KalleWirsch]

Another strange issue with the weight for the Red model:
At this page, they say it´s 6,9 kg https://www.rosebikes.de/fahrr%C3%A4der ... evergleich
At this page they say it´s 7,6 kg https://www.rosebikes.de/rose-backroad- ... xs-2709983

I hear what you are saying about the Red pricing. On the other side: Why paying 2.200 EUR extra for Red versus the new GRX 825 Di2? All other specs are the same.