Test: Introduced a few weeks ago and tested by us - the new Rose Backroad Gravelbike. For a little more than €2.500, you get a high-quality, light carbon frame and the noble Sram Force 1 complete group on the bike from Bocholt. Is the overall concept convincing?
Rose Backroad Force: The Facts
Frame material: Carbon
Wheel size(s): 700c
tire clearance: 42 mm
Axle dimensions (v/h): 15 × 100/142 × 12
Mudguard Eyelets: Ja
Luggage carrier eyelets (v/h): No Yes
bottle holder: down tube up, seat tube
Weight wheels v/h (incl. tires, cassette and brake discs): 1.574g / 2.281g
Weight complete bike without pedals (size 57): 8,68kg
Price: € 2.549
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Product news / Gravel: Gravel bikes have long since outgrown their former niche and with their increasing popularity, the need for components specially tailored to the universal racers is also increasing. Shimano's answer to this is GRX - a complete series of special Gravel components that break new ground in several respects. We have all the information about the new Shimano […]
Rose Backroad Force - Sporty gravel bike with cross genes
The Backroad is slim and discreet, almost a bit inconspicuous. But a closer look is worthwhile, because the mail order bike from Bocholt is equipped with the complete Sram Force of extremely high quality. The elegant seat clamp and the clean cable routing are noticeable on the smooth frame, as well as something else: The only slightly sloping top tube already indicates that this is more of a cross-country bike than a gravel bike, whereby the sporty elevation is not accompanied by too much stretching. The only difference to the "real" Rose-Crosser lies in the wheelset, which has 38 mm wide Schwalbe G-One Allround soles. However, together with the 11-42 cassette, these also increase the weight of the carbon machine.
Geometry Rose Backroad
51 | 54 | 57 | 59 | 62 | |
seat tube (in mm) | 483 | 513 | 543 | 563 | 593 |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 525 | 540 | 555 | 568 | 582 |
head tube (in mm) | 130 | 147 | 164 | 174 | 188 |
chainstay (in mm) | 425 | 425 | 425 | 425 | 425 |
Steering angle (in °) | 71 | 71,5 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
Seat angle (in °) | 74 | 73,75 | 73,5 | 73,25 | 73 |
Reach (mm) | 370 | 377 | 384 | 391 | 398 |
Stacks (in mm) | 541 | 559 | 577 | 587 | 599 |
frame | Rose Backroad |
suspension fork | High performance disc |
Wheels | Rose R Thirty Disc |
Tubes | Schwalbe G-One Allround Evolution 38mm |
derailleur | Ram Force1 |
Gear levers | Ram Force1 |
Crank | Ram Force1 |
Front derailleur | ohne |
Brake | Ram Force1 |
Seat post | Rose C-170 Carbon |
Saddle | Selle Italia Novus Flow |
Stem | Ritchey WCS C220 |
Links | Ritchey WCS Evomax |
In terms of frame geometry, the Backroad is almost a racing bike; if you choose it with 2×11 components, you are also well equipped for fast asphalt tours. On the other hand, the ample passage allows for significantly wider tires, which makes gravel use easier. This makes the bike a very sporty all-rounder, which also has a lot to offer when it comes to the threaded eyelets: Fixtures for mudguards and even a rear luggage rack are hidden under barely visible protective caps. Basically, the Rose Backroad Force is and remains a thoroughbred crosser that gives ambitious riders a lot of joy - not least because of its extremely low weight, which enables furious acceleration, easy carrying and playful handling. Anyone who understands a gravel bike to be a long-distance tourer needs a different concept.
The axle dimension of the fork is interesting: Here Rose uses a 15mm thru-axle instead of the 12mm, which is now more common in the road and gravel area. In practice, this makes no difference, but could be interesting for bargain hunters: 29″ MTB wheelsets also fit, which are now often very cheap due to the Boost standard that has now been set there.
Rose Backroad Force - Let's Gravel
The Rose Backroad Force makes us curious even before the first ride, because it not only looks high quality and well made, but also feels good. This first impression is then confirmed quite quickly after driving off. The high-quality carbon frame converts the power into decent propulsion and maintains first-class smoothness on bumpy ground.
The good rigidity makes acceleration on steep climbs and after corners almost child's play. This is where the low weight of the Rose Backroad Force comes into play. Nevertheless, the gravel racer remains calm enough even on bumps and, thanks to the frame construction in combination with the fork, offers a certain level of comfort on the gravel. But not only the frame of the Rose Backroad Gravel Force is convincing, the equipment also has a lot to offer. Thanks to the Sram Force, as the name already tells us, with a chainring at the front, you have a good range of gears available on both gravel and asphalt to cope with many different tours.
The 38 mm wide G-ONE Allround Evo tires from Schwalbe offer relatively low rolling resistance on the road and keep us safely on the track off-road. The light and durable Rose R Thirty Disc wheels ensure even more directional stability. Thanks to their additional millimeters in height, they prevent smaller stones from flying through the spokes and disrupting the ride. The Rose RC-170 Flex carbon seat post offers additional comfort and helps absorb unpleasant shocks. We find the Ritchey WCS Evomax handlebars a bit unusual for Gravel use, which can provide a little more freedom for the forearms, but due to the extreme curvature in the lower handlebars it is not particularly comfortable to hold if you also want to have your fingers on the brakes.
Mathias says
Can I also use 650b wheels with 42mm or even thicker tires on the Backroad?
Felix says
As far as I can see in the online shop, is the SRAM groupset only available as a 1×11? If you want 2×11, you have to use the Ultegra group?
Alex says
If you are looking for a Force 22, take the Cross version of the Backroad! Is the same frame, you can change the rest as you like. Just put this bike together for me (ps for a small surcharge you can also have the fork of the Randonieur version (also the same frame) with luggage rack eyelets).