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The Hobo has been part of the direct mail order company's range for one and a half years. With the bold flatbar concept, the Bocholt-based company targeted hip city dwellers for whom a classic randonneur was too staid or who were unfamiliar with curved handlebars. With the steel wheel now taking over the control centre of the Backroad AL, the new product is aimed at "adventurous purists and bike packers" alike.
Rose Hobo Dropbar: The most important facts
- Weight of complete wheel: 11.9 kilos
- Stack/Reach/STR: 607/417 millimetres/1.46
- Special features: Front pannier rack, 650B wheels
- Frame sizes: S, M, L
- Price: 1899 Euro >> available here
The basis is still a robust frame made of so-called chrome-molybdenum steel, while Rose relies on carbon for the fork. According to the manufacturer, the total weight is a heavy 11.9 kilograms. By way of comparison, the Bocholt-based company claims a weight of around 10.0 kilograms for the aluminium versions of the Backroad. The chassis offers a total of 14 mounting points for luggage & co. A luggage rack that can carry up to five kilograms is already installed on the head tube ex works. This is available at extra cost on the Hobo with flat handlebars. The cockpit of the Backroad AL is characterised by very wide flared handlebar ends and ergonomically shaped handlebar arches.
Thanks to the smaller 650B wheels, thick tyres fit through the fork and frame. 47 millimetre wide studded tyres from WTB are fitted as standard. Thanks to the large inner rim width (25 millimetres) of the in-house aluminium rims, the robust tyres should be even wider. Kerbs in city traffic or rough gravel tracks in the forest pose no challenges for the Hobo Dropbar.
Rose Hobo Dropbar: features and price
As the Bocholt-based company announces, the new product will initially only be available in one version with a mechanical eleven-speed GRX and single chainring from Shimano. The range of sizes is just as manageable with S, M and L. There are two colour options to choose from: a moderate dark green and a bright turquoise. The price: 1899 euros.
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX (1x11; 40, 11-42 t.)
- Impellers: Rose G Twenty Five (aluminium, 650B)
- Tyres: WTB Venture Road (47 mm)
- Price: 1899 Euro >> available here
Julian Schultz
Editor
