The Backroad gets sporty: Rose presents a race gravel bike for the first time

Backroad is a success story for Rose. The German mail order company and manufacturer sells more tyres than any other platform. According to Managing Director Thorsten Heckrath-Rose, the "number one growth driver" is the wide tyre division. After years of standstill, the Bocholt-based company now has a second horse in the stable: alongside the previous, adventure-orientated model, the Fast Forward (FF) with complete wheel weights between 8.0 and 8.5 kilos is taking its place as a competition-orientated machine.

Backroad FF: The most important facts

• Weight: from 8.0 kilogrammes
• Stack/Reach/STR: 574/405 millimetres/1.42
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 650/585 millimetres/1.13
• Maximum tyre clearance: 45 millimetres
• Special features: Power meter, pocket concept, chain guide
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, ML, L, XL
• Prices: 3499 and 4999 Euro >> available here

According to Rose, the development was based on the almost two-year-old race all-rounder XLite and the FF has an aggressive geometry. Compared to the previous platform, the seat is much more stretched out and the STR-Plus value (1.13) is lower than that of a marathon bike suitable for long distances. In addition to the frame, the new cockpit, which the Bocholt-based company developed in collaboration with ergonomics expert Bastian Marks, known as the host of the "Besenwagen" podcast, is responsible for this.

The fully integrated steering centre is also designed to put the rider in an aerodynamically favourable position thanks to the twisted hoods and optimised contact surfaces on the upper handlebars. In difficult terrain, the small distance between the handlebar arch and the shift/brake levers and flared handlebar ends (15 degrees) are designed to increase riding control. "Aero in the hoods, control in the drops" is how Rose describes the concept, which, in contrast to the classic clamped handlebar-stem combination on the previous Backroad, requires more maintenance.

Aerodynamic gravel bikes in the wind tunnel

A new carbon wheelset (GC 50) should also improve the aero performance, the unit consisting of an extremely wide front wheel rim and relatively narrow tyres (both 40 millimetres) as well as an optimised hub from Newmen should reduce air resistance. However, you shouldn't expect a quantum leap compared to the previous GC 40: according to simulations by Rose, the pedalling power is only reduced by a maximum of three watts at angles of attack of up to ten degrees. The rear wheel with a narrower rim (32 millimetres) is trimmed for weight; the set weighs around 1550 grams in total.

You don't have to do without mounting points on the FF either. The chassis, which has space for tyres up to 45 millimetres wide, offers fewer mounting points than the top seller, for example Backroad Rival eTap. The optionally available and expensive bags for the top tube (79.95 euros) and frame triangle (109.95 euros) are better integrated. Thanks to the magnetic Fidlock system, they can also be mounted quickly. We first tested bags that are attached to the frame triangle with the Fidlock system at Fara (F/Allroad and F/Gravel), later seen at the Canyon Grail and also with the E-gravel bike Canyon Grizl:ON.

Equipment and prices

At the market launch, Rose is offering two equipment variants for 3499 and 4999 euros. Both versions can be shifted with gravel-specific drivetrains from SRAM, are based on the UDH standard and have an integrated Quarq power meter. In addition to the gearing, the two bikes differ in terms of the wheelset: only the top model (Force AXS) benefits from the homeopathic aero tuning of the GC 50, while the base model (Rival AXS) rolls on aluminium wheels. According to Rose, other models are to follow. A version with the new Shimano GRX Di2 will presumably roll into the online shop in the coming months, which the Japanese component giant is likely to add after the introduction of the mechanical twelve-speed drivetrain.

The sizes are new: With the Backroad FF, the Bocholt-based company is dispensing with the classic centimetre measurements and instead specifying the frame sizes in clothing sizes, as with their mountain bikes. Instead of the stride length, a size recommendation in centimetres will be given in future. The new frame size ML, for example, corresponds to 57 centimetres. The new product is available in a total of six sizes and three colour options.

Rose Backroad FF Rival AXS XPLR

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival AXS XPLR (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.)
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R (40 mm)
• Impellers: Rose G30 Light (aluminium)
• Weight: 8.5 kilos
• Price: 3499 Euro >> available here

Rose Backroad FF Force AXS XPLR

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS XPLR (1x12; 44, 10-44 t.)
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One RS (40 mm)
• Impellers: Rose GC50 (Carbon)
• Weight: 8.0 kilos
• Price: 4999 Euro