It's been nearly a decade since the great cyclocross booms began, and in the meantime it looked as if the off-road racing bike would never get beyond its niche existence in racing. But now things are happening again: more and more bike manufacturers are equipping their crossers with disc brakes, and since the stoppers adopted from MTBs are also approved for cross-country races according to UCI regulations and are available in hydraulic high-end versions, the market segment is gaining momentum again. The background: The classic cyclocross rim brake has never really been optimized and at most offers a satisfactory function in racing. On the other hand, the cross-typical cantilevers are not really usable for the higher speed that is commonly achieved on the road. The current disc brake crossers, on the other hand, are fully speed-capable and can therefore also be used as all-round racing bikes with wider tires or even everyday and touring bikes with mudguards and racks.
//Equipment and driving impression
With the Pro DX Cross 3000 from the Rose-Versand range, such a use is expressly intended: threaded holes on the fork and rear triangle allow the attachment of carrier and mudguards; two bottle holders can also be attached, which is not necessarily the norm on cross-country bikes - some manufacturers who are purely geared towards racing leave out all the holes. Gear cables and rear brake cable are routed in the down tube, which benefits the already simple appearance of the Rose; the brake cables run completely in outer casings, which promises permanently low friction. The typical clips that hold the front brake cable to the fork leg and the rear brake cable to the strut should occasionally be replaced with cable ties, especially as they are not very tight. The frame, designed with a massive down tube and thin seat tube, combines a modern PressFit bottom bracket with a classic rear stay bar, which is primarily used to attach a mudguard. As an alternative to the glossy white version, the DX Cross 3000 is also available in anodised black – perhaps the better choice for off-road use thanks to the scratch-resistant surface.
The crosser, which is quite cheap at just under 1.500 euros, comes with a complete Shimano Ultegra 11-speed, combined with a disc brake called BR-CX77 that is matched to the STI levers. The brake system prompts backward-looking disc dissers (like the author of these lines) to revise their prejudices: it builds up high deceleration forces when necessary and is also very easy to dose, so that sensitive braking maneuvers are possible even on slippery surfaces without the wheels locking up unintentionally. Unlike hydraulic disc brakes, there is no automatic pad tracking; The pads can be tightened using small screws.
With chainrings in sizes 46/36, the Rose is optimally designed for cross-sport. The 11-fold ring with 28-XNUMX teeth is a little too wide for our taste, but is certainly well suited for the all-rounder. Fizik saddle, carbon post and high-quality Ritchey add-on parts result in very good equipment; the Mavic CrossOne are not necessarily top class, but solid, properly made wheels.
In terms of geometry, the DX Cross strikes the middle between all-round suitability and sporting suitability quite well. As far as posture goes, the Rose's frame fits the category "Comfort Road Bike": Compared to the top tube, the head tube is rather long, allowing for a compact, slightly more upright riding position. Equipped with a short stem, the Rose can be used as a touring and touring bike with drop handlebars.
Of course, the DX Cross also has very sporty characteristics, especially if you ride it one size smaller, as in the test. With a 130mm stem, you take a stretched position on the bike and put a lot of weight on the front wheel; However, the Crosser does not feel overly sluggish. Given the thick aluminum down tube, high frame rigidity should be a matter of course; Thanks to the 27,2 millimeter carbon post, the rear of the Rose isn't too hard - at least not if you lower the air pressure in the Racing Ralph to the minimum that is just necessary. Fast off-road driving is a treat with the Rose; at most the quite high total weight of the crosser of 9,22 kilos (Rh 56, without pedals) is noticeable here and there. If you want to ride the bike in a sporty way, you should think about getting a wheel set for tubular tires anyway, which can quickly save you around 500 grams and give you overall better rolling characteristics compared to folding tires. In view of the very low price of the well-equipped aluminum crosser, there may still be a little financial leeway...
//Conclusion
The Rose DX Cross 3000 is just as useful as an all-round racer as it is convincing in sporting use. It can't do anything for its weight - that's appropriate for the low price.
//Product highlights
- Can be upgraded to an everyday and touring bike
- Well equipped with strong brakes
- Cross-typical chainring combination
//price and web
- 1.495 Euros
- www.roseversand.de
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