Direct sales brand Rose Bikes has introduced a new gravel bike to its range. The carbon-frame Backroad is designed for off-road jollies and versatility, with two versions available: the all-road/gravel focussed Backroad and the cyclocross configured Backroad Cross.
Rose Backroad highlights:
- Frame weight of 1,040g
- Available in gravel and 'cross builds
- Clearances for up to 42mm tyres
- Online customisation available
Carbon frame and capable geometry
The headline feature is perhaps the light 1,040g carbon frame, which is a competitive weight in the world of multi-purpose gravel bikes. Rose claims that this maintains the racing genes of its bikes and offers a light and agile ride.
The geometry is, as you would expect, falling in line with many other gravel bikes. That means a head angle of between 71–72 degrees, depending on the size, and a seat tube angle of between 74–73 degrees.
The chainstays are a short and snappy 425mm, while the overall wheelbase is longer than a usual road bike to provide extra stability off-road or when loaded with luggage. It appears to be usual compromise between off-road manners and on-road agility.
For extra cushioning, the frame has clearances for up to 42mm tyres, and the bike is available in five different sizes from 51 to 62cm.
The frame features full internal routing, flat mount brakes and thru-axles and is fitted with a full carbon fork. There are also mounting options for racks, mudguards and lights, giving this bike the potential to be a very versatile machine.
Your choice of groupset and components
Both the Cross and Gravel version of the bike share many components, though these can also be configured or modified when ordering the bike online. This allows you to choose your desired gearing, component sizes and even change specific components.
There are Shimano Ultegra Di2, Ultegra and SRAM Force equipped bikes in each range, letting you choose the 1x or 2x setup you want. Somewhat disappointingly, only the Cross bike seems to feature the new Shimano Ultegra RX clutch equipped derailleur.
The gravel focussed Backroad is fitted with Schwalbe G-ONE 38c tyres, while the Backroad Cross uses 33c knobbly Schwalbe X-ONE items.
The Backroad Cross is also fitted with DT Swiss P1750 alloy wheels while the gravel focussed model uses own-brand Rose R Thirty DISC wheels.
The Ritchey WCS Evomax bars feature flared drops, a design which we have found to work very well in the past, both on and off-road, improving both comfort and control.
Finally all the bikes feature a Rose RC-170 Flex carbon seatpost, which is claimed to absorb road buzz and shocks.
And some unique builds
Apart from the ‘standard’ gravel and 'cross configurations, there are two other interesting models in the range that caught our eye.
The Backroad Ultegra Multicross is essentially the same gravel build but with flat bars, which could make for an excellent commuting machine.
The Backroad Ultegra Randonneur is a bike clearly designed for long distance riding, with a hub dynamo built into the wheelset. The rest of the spec is similar to the gravel build, but with Continental 4-Season tyres.
Rose Backroad Ultegra Di2 specs and pricing
- Frame: High Modulus Aerospace Carbon Fibre T30/40, H.O.C. Technology
- Fork: High Performance Disc, 1 ⅛in–1.5in full carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 8050
- Wheelset: ROSE R Thirty DISC
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-ONE Allround Evo, Classic Skin, 38c
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R8070, BR-R8070 with 160mm rotors
- Bar: Ritchey WCS Evomax
- Stem: Ritchey WCS C220
- Seatpost: ROSE RC-170 Flex Carbon
- Saddle: Selle Italia Novus Flow
- £2,903.31 / €3,199
Rose Backroad Ultegra specs and pricing
Spec as Rose Backroad Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 8000
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R8020, BR-R8020 with 160mm rotors
- £2,313.39 / €2,549
Rose Backroad Force 1x11 specs and pricing
Spec as Rose Backroad Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: SRAM Force 1
- Brakes: SRAM Force HydroR with 160mm rotors
- £2,313.39 / €2,549
Rose Backroad 105 specs and pricing
Spec as Rose Backroad Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: Shimano 105 7000
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R7020, BR-R7020 with 160mm rotors
- £2,041.21 / €2,249
Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra Di2 specs and pricing
- Frame: High Modulus Aerospace Carbon Fibre T30/40, H.O.C. Technology
- Fork: High Performance Disc, 1 ⅛in–1.5in, full carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 8050 with RD-RX 805 rear derailleur
- Wheelset: DT Swiss P1750 Spine DISC
- Tyres: Schwalbe X-ONE Evo Bite or Schwalbe X-ONE Allround EVO, 33c
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R8070, BR-R8070 with 160mm rotors
- Bar: Ritchey WCS Evo Curve
- Stem: Ritchey WCS C220
- Seatpost: ROSE RC-170 Flex Carbon
- Saddle: Ergon SMC40
- £2,857.93 / €3,149
Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra specs and pricing
Spec as the Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 8000 with RD-RX 800
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R8020, BR-R8020 with 160mm rotors
- £2,268.01 / €2,499
Rose Backroad Cross Force specs and pricing
Spec as the Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: SRAM Force 22
- Brakes: SRAM Force HydroR with 160mm rotors
- £2,268.01 / €2,499
Rose Backroad Cross Force 1x11 specs and pricing
Spec as the Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: SRAM Force 1
- Brakes: SRAM Force HydroR with 160mm rotors
- £2,268.01 / €2,499
Rose Backroad Cross 105 specs and pricing
Spec as the Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Groupset: Shimano 105 7000
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R7020, BR-R7020 with 160mm rotors
- £1,950.37 / €2,199
Rose Backroad Ultegra Multicross specs and pricing
- Frame: High Modulus Aerospace Carbon Fibre T30/40, H.O.C. Technology
- Fork: High Performance Disc, 1 ⅛in–1.5in full carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 8000
- Wheelset: ROSE R Thirty DISC
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-ONE Allround Evo, 38c
- Brakes: Shimano BL-RS600, BR-RS405 with 160mm rotors
- Bar: Level Nine Race
- Stem: Rose High Comfort
- Seatpost: ROSE RC-170 Flex Carbon
- Saddle: Ergon SMC40
- £1,950.37 / €2,149
Rose Backroad Ultegra Randonneur specs and pricing
Spec as the Rose Backroad Cross Ultegra Di2 but with:
- Wheelset: ROSE R Thirty DISC Shimano DH-VR705-3D hub dynamo
- Tyres: Continental 4-season
- Brakes: Shimano ST-R8020, BR-R8020 with 160mm rotors
- Bar: Ritchey Comp Road Streem II
- Stem: Ritchey WCS C220
- €2,799
For more information you can visit the Rose Bikes website here.