The newly-released 2020 Rose Pro SL gets updates to its aluminium frameset (that looks remarkably like its made of carbon), a new lighter fork, fully internally-routed cables and a neat new integrated seat clamp.
The previous generation of the bike was universally well-liked here at BikeRadar, combining an excellent ride quality with a well-considered spec list at a great price.
The Rose Pro SL 105 won our sub-£1,000 Bike of the Year prize in 2019, with the women’s version of the bike also scoring well in testing.
Four bikes are available at launch, two with rim brakes and two with disc brakes. The range starts at €1,199 for the rim brake Rose Pro SL with Shimano 105.
Alloy dressed as carbon
The Pro SL is the entry-level bike in Rose’s road bike range, with the X-Lite taking the top spot and the Reveal sitting in the middle.
Though you’d never guess at first glance, the Pro SL is based on an aluminium frameset. The welds on the bike are smoothed by some unspecified means to give a silhouette that is uncannily carbon-like.
While this mimicry may score you at-a-glance-oh-look-they’re-on-carbon-how-fancy points if you're riding a Pro SL, it’s more demonstrative of how much care and craft has gone into making these frames.
The overall shape of the frameset is largely unchanged compared to the previous generation; however, bucking trends, the seat stays are less aggressively dropped than those of the outgoing model.
The frame is complemented by a redesigned carbon fork that Rose claims is lighter and more compliant than the outgoing model.
Topping this off is a new funky headset top cover. This allows all hoses and cables to be internally routed through a gap in the cover, into the head tube and through the frame. The same design is seen on the Backroad gravel bike launched earlier this year.
This adds a little bit of stack to the front of the bike, but is a neat-looking solution that outwardly appears more mechanic-friendly than some other designs on the market.
The seat clamp of the bike has also been integrated into the frame, with the clamp accessed on the non-driveside face of the top tube.
We have seen similar designs used on bikes such as the Orbea Orca and it is much easier to access than some alternative integrated styles.
The geometry of the new bike is almost identical to the old one, though it’s no surprise to see the stack grow by roughly 4.5mm to accommodate the new headset top cover.
It’s notable that the two smallest bikes (45cm and 48cm) are built around 650b/27.5in wheels in a bid to improve handling.
Road-friendly 27.5in tyre options are limited, but key models such as the Schwalbe Pro One and Continental GP 5000 are available, so you shouldn’t have too many issues sourcing replacements.
The bike is available in Shimano 105 or Ultegra variants in both rim and disc flavours. All bikes are available in either a lovely ‘mandarin red’ finish or a more austere silvery-grey.
Prices start at €1,199 for the 105-equipped rim brake model.
International shipping is available, and it appears specific pricing for each currency is calculated depending on the day’s exchange rate. We've also listed today's UK prices below, though these are subject to change.
2020 Rose Pro SL Disc Ultegra specs
- Frameset: 2020 Rose Pro SL
- Wheelset: DT Swiss P1850 Spline 23, black
- Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport III Performance, 28mm
- Crankset: Shimano Ultegra FC-R8000, 50/34
- Cassette: Shimano CS-R7000 105, 11-32
- Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra FD-R8000
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra RD-R8000
- Chain: Shimano CN-HG6001 118 links
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra ST-R8025 / BR-R8070
- Handlebar: Ritchey Comp Road Streem II
- Handlebar tape: Xtreme Gel-Comfort black
- Stem: Ritchey 4-Axis WTD
- Saddle: Selle Italia Sattel X3 Flow Fec Alloy
- Seatpost: Ritchey 2B, WTD, black 27.2mm
- €1,899 / £1,723.47
2020 Rose Pro SL Disc 105 specs
- Frameset: 2020 Rose Pro SL
- Wheelset: DT Swiss P1850 Spline 23, black
- Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport III Performance, 28mm
- Crankset: Shimano 105 FC-R8000, 50/34
- Cassette: Shimano CS-R7000 105, 11-32
- Front derailleur: Shimano 105 FD-R7000
- Rear derailleur: Shimano 105 RD-R7000
- Chain: Shimano CN-HG6001 118 links
- Brakes: Shimano 105 ST-R7005 / BR-R7070
- Handlebar: Ritchey Comp Road Streem II
- Handlebar tape: Xtreme Gel-Comfort black
- Stem: Ritchey 4-Axis WTD
- Saddle: Selle Italia Sattel X3 Flow Fec Alloy
- Seatpost: Ritchey 2B, WTD, black 27.2mm
- €1,599 / £1,451.20
2020 Rose Pro SL Ultegra specs
- Frameset: 2020 Rose Pro SL
- Wheelset: DT Swiss P1850 Spline 23, black
- Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport III Performance, 28mm
- Crankset: Shimano Ultegra FC-R8000, 50/34
- Cassette: Shimano CS-R7000 105, 11-32
- Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra FD-R8000
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra RD-R8000
- Chain: Shimano CN-HG6001 118 links
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra BR-8000
- Handlebar: Ritchey Comp Road Streem II
- Handlebar tape: Xtreme Gel-Comfort black
- Stem: Ritchey 4-Axis WTD
- Saddle: Selle Italia Sattel X3 Flow Fec Alloy
- Seatpost: Ritchey 2B, WTD, black 27.2mm
- €1,499 / £1,360.45
2020 Rose Pro SL 105 specs
- Frameset: 2020 Rose Pro SL
- Wheelset: DT Swiss P1850 Spline 23, black
- Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport III Performance, 28mm
- Crankset: Shimano 105 FC-R8000, 50/34
- Cassette: Shimano CS-R7000 105, 11-32
- Front derailleur: Shimano 105 FD-R7000
- Rear derailleur: Shimano 105 RD-R7000
- Chain: Shimano CN-HG6001 118 links
- Brakes: Shimano 105 BR-7000
- Handlebar: Ritchey Comp Road Streem II
- Handlebar tape: Xtreme Gel-Comfort black
- Stem: Ritchey 4-Axis WTD
- Saddle: Selle Italia Sattel X3 Flow Fec Alloy
- Seatpost: Ritchey 2B, WTD, black 27.2mm
- €1,199 / £1,088.18
