Rose follows the principle of comfort with two road bikes: In addition to the aluminium Xeon Team GF model (see test in TOUR 3/2014->), the similarly designed Xeon Team CGF-4000 carbon frame is in line with the trend towards comfort geometry. However, the screw-on sleeves, with which the head tube of the aluminium model can be varied in three lengths, have been dispensed with. This solution would have been very costly with a carbon frame.
The customised construction of the test bike is typical of Rose. According to the catalogue, the price with solid DT Swiss wheels is 3,049 euros. However, as Rose's equipment is only a suggestion, the bike was upgraded with lightweight Ksyrium SLS wheels from Mavic. An extra 398 euros are due for this, bringing the price of the black speedster up to 3,447 euros. But nothing has been spared: a complete mechanical Dura-Ace groupset, high-quality add-on parts from Ritchey, top tyres from Conti - a racing bike could hardly be more luxuriously equipped. Against this background, the price is more than fair. However, the modular principle also allows for significantly cheaper - and even more expensive - builds.
Sleek and comfortable
The carbon frame has a unique design. The profiles of the down tube and seat tube with their tear-off edges look as if the model was developed in a wind tunnel. The segment clamp integrated into the top tube for the seatpost, which eliminates the usual protrusion of the seat tube over the top tube, means that the already comfortable carbon seatpost from Ritchey can flex even better than usual. The relocation of the rear brake behind the bottom bracket also increases comfort at the rear. This eliminates the brake bridge and makes the seat stays more compliant. Because the bike also rolls on 25-millimetre tyres, the saddle feels almost like an air cushion without the bike feeling spongy. At a good 1,200 grams, the frame itself is not particularly light for a carbon frame; however, because the lightweight fork and the headset save a lot of weight, the set weight is attractive on balance. The frame is extremely stiff, which together with the relatively long wheelbase guarantees a fabulously smooth ride. The riding position is relaxed, but by no means unsportsmanlike. With a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.5, the frame is exactly on the borderline between classic and comfort geometry.
The fact that the bike is ultimately great fun to ride is due to other well thought-out details: the ovalised handlebars at the top are ergonomically perfect, and the Flite saddle with monolink clamp should suit many riders. The only point of criticism is the rear direct mount brake from Shimano, which you have to open relatively wide to reliably prevent the pads from rubbing when pedalling. This is not a major problem - but after this experience, the impression is growing that the relocation of the rear brake behind the bottom bracket, which is being pushed by several manufacturers, is perhaps not the best idea.
When we looked at the final score for the complete bike, we briefly wondered whether we had miscalculated somewhere. But we didn't. With a score of 1.4, Rose's Xeon Team CGF-4000 is one of the best complete bikes in TOUR's test history - chapeau! The result is particularly sensational considering the comparatively favourable price.
Price 3,447 Euro
Weight 6.7 kilos
Available via mail order
Reference/Info www.rose.de
Frame sizes** 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62 cm
Seat/steering angle 74,5°/73°
Seat/top tube/head tube 520/555/186 mm plus 27 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 1,000/50 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 584/390 mm/1.50
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/4 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 (50/34 t, press-fit)
Wheels/tyres Mavic Ksyrium SLS/Continental Grand Prix 4000S 25C
Handlebar/stem Ritchey WCS/Ritchey WCS Streem 2
Saddle/post Selle Italia Flite Monolink/Ritchey WCS (27.2 mm)
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Weight complete wheel**** 6.7 kilos (without pedals)
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing**** 1.210/292/58 g
Standardised weight frame set*****: 1.594 g2,3
Steering head stiffness 110 Nm/°: 1.0
Lateral stiffness fork 54 N/mm: 1.0
Bottom bracket stiffness 76 N/mm: 1.0
Comfort frame 118 N/mm: 1.3
Comfort fork 50 N/mm: 1.0
* The frame set accounts for 40 per cent of the overall score and the features for 60 per cent. Individual grades are included in this assessment, only some of which are printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
** Manufacturer's specifications; test size bold.
*** Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright sitting position.
**** Weighed weights.
***** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
