The Xeon-X-Lite frame was actually unveiled at Eurobike 2011. Because the frame was delivered late last spring, it is only now making its debut in the TOUR test. Is it because the bike looks so mature right from the start? There is no trace of compromises in favour of lightweight construction. On the contrary, the extremely smooth ride and precise steering, even at high speeds, are a delight. The new Red groupset offers top-level braking and shifting technology - a huge leap in development compared to its predecessor. The lightweight seatpost from Ritchey, which accepts Monolink saddles thanks to an adapter, provides excellent suspension.
The stiff milestone wheels from Lightweight complement the stable chassis perfectly. However, we noticed a slight rubbing of the brakes - a reason for complaint with € 3,000 wheels. The fact that the fork is extremely hard vertically was not apparent in direct comparison with the competition. This shows that comfort is a question of the overall set-up. The well-damping Conti tubular tyres and the comfortable, ergonomically perfect Ritchey handlebars at least partially compensate for the hard fork.
Price 6,539 Euro
Weight 5.9 kilos
Available via the Mail order / modular system
Reference/Info www.rose.de
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 967/333/74 grammes
Frame sizes*** 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63 cm
Seat/steering angle 73,5°/73,5°
Seat/top tube/head tube 570/560/165 mm plus 12 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 990/52 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 566/395 mm/1.43
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1.5 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket SR AM Red (53/39 t., press-fit)
Wheels/tyres Lightweight Milestone/Continental Competition (tubular tyres)
Handlebar/stem Ritchey WCS Superlogic/Ritchey WCS Superlogic
Saddle/post Selle Italia SLS Monolink/Ritchey WCS Superlogic (27.2 mm)
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the upper edge of the headset cap; STR (Stack to Reach): Values 1.45-1.55 mean a sporty riding position, below that race-like, above that comfortable.
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