Rose goes racing with an all-new aero carbon Backroad FF gravel bike. And we obtained an unique first look driving it on Spanish gravel a couple of weeks again. Now quick ahead again to immediately, and this new Rose Backroad FF carbon gravel bike hits a killer sweetspot balancing race-ready efficiency and all-day consolation. Plus, it does that whereas remaining simply as reasonably priced as ever.
2024 Rose Backroad FF carbon gravel race bike
Rose developed the brand new Backroad FF to have a UCI-approved carbon gravel bike for racing. And it’s a direct analog to their similarly-shaped & reasonably priced Xlite aero street bike. Nevertheless it’s much more than only a gravel race bike.
It’s a uncommon incidence when a brand new bike genuinely feels sooner and extra snug than its predecessors AND the competitors. Including relative affordability into the combination feels virtually exceptional. However this new carbon Rose Backroad FF gravel race bike appears to tick virtually all the packing containers…
Tech particulars
That is the third technology of Rose’s Backroad gravel bike that I’ve ridden. And it really appears to get higher every time. The final Backroad was already an awesome totally built-in do-it-all gravel bike, however this FF Quick Ahead evolution takes it to the subsequent degree.
The brand new body and fork characteristic a profile that actually doesn’t stand out all that a lot from the present crop of recent aero gravel race bikes and appears identical to their aero street bike. However Rose appears to have nailed the main points – from refined geometry to carbon supplies to a set of aero ending package parts that retain rider consolation.
The hi-mod carbon body and fork characteristic extra race-oriented geometry with a barely steeper headtube angle vs. the earlier technology. However a extra ahead weight steadiness with a steeper seat angle, barely longer body attain, and far decrease body Stack heights. It’s a extra aggressive match on the bike, however the slight riser cockpit balances issues out a bit.
The FF body makes use of the UDH normal so you may nonetheless with the standard hanger for present gravel derailleurs, and even go direct-mount for a brand new AXS T-Kind mullet Eagle setup down the (gravel) street. Constructed with 1x drivetrains and a bolt-on Wolftooth chainguide, however you possibly can additionally run a wi-fi 2x in case you are nonetheless into that type of factor. There are two units of bottle cages contained in the body (3-bolt on the downtube). Plus, direct mount studs for the body bag and a toptube bag mount. No fork or beneath downtube mounts.
This new race bike is optimized for 40mm tires when you’re in search of the most effective aerodynamic positive aspects, however they really measure up a bit wider on these 27mm inside rims. Plus, there’s formally clearance for a max 45mm tire if you wish to go wider, with room for muddy gravel buildup.
Using Impressions
This new bike merely makes you’re feeling quick whenever you trip it. And by no means crushed up, irrespective of how lengthy or tough the gravel trip is. Certain, this can be a bike meant for racing, and it doesn’t have a ton of additional journey mounts. Nevertheless it’s actually an awesome all-rounder that may make each gravel trip really feel sooner and simpler. I simply spent per week testing a dozen bikes with a handful of motorbike business insider pals, and sometimes racing one another.
And we actually fought over this bike earlier than each trip.
An enormous pet peeve of mine with present gravel race bikes is an excessively stiff carbon layup. That certainly can really feel snappy and responsive whenever you dash for a city line, however rattles you to complete an extended off-road trip worn out. However Rose’s Backroad FF mixes a way of ease & velocity pedaling down quick gravel roads, with real-world consolation that retains you feeling contemporary on the finish of a giant day trip.
An enormous a part of the appears to come back from the shapely slender carbon cockpit and its riser bar.
All-new Rose One-Piece Gravel Cockpit
The upward bend of the handlebar appears to isolate annoying gravel street buzz with out deadening the texture of the street. It additionally is kind of slender on the prime for an aero place on the turned-in hoods, supported by the flat tops beneath your forearms. However with a beneficiant flare from the hoods to the lengthy drops, it nonetheless feels lots extensive for stability when descending via tough sections. My solely nit to select on this built-in cockpit is that I would love somewhat extra drop within the bar, however I believe I may partly clear up that merely with a cleaner, thinner bartape wrap.
The 40cm x 100mm bar I rode sells individually for 350€, accessible in April. It measures 400mm extensive on the hoods, then 495mm on the drops, at a claimed weight of 398g. The bar will get 15° flare, a -10° stem however 20mm of rise again up, then 73mm of attain & 98mm of drop. It additionally is available in a narrower 38cm width and three stem lengths.
To not be discounted is the aero part carbon seatpost. I usually suppose an aero bike can be extra snug with a basic spherical put up, however Rose hit the consolation candy spot on this D-shaped put up, too. No notes.
The extensive, deep & light-weight new Rose GC50 carbon wheels definitely additionally assist present a luxurious, quick trip.
All-new Rose GC50 aero carbon gravel wheels
50mm deep x 27mm extensive inside. The entrance rim is a full 40mm extensive and the rear is simply 32mm extensive. The thought is extra aero up entrance to match that huge extensive tire the place it issues extra, then lighter out again within the muddied airflow. The 543g entrance rim is nearly 100 grams heavier than the 444g rear. Rose says the entire tubeless wheelset weighs 1550g (770g entrance/780g rear). And you’ll purchase them individually for 1700€ later this spring.
Different Equipment
Rose additionally developed a customized set of Fidlock magnetic-mounted bolt-on built-in aero baggage for the brand new Backroad FF. With a magnetic flip toptube bag like one in every of my favorites Apidura Racing bag and a easy waterproof zip partial body bag that also allows you to use 2 water bottles. I haven’t tried both – choosing a bolt-on Tailfin toptube bag. However they give the impression of being clear and properly executed for riders in search of devoted on-bike storage (with out the complication & added weight of in-frame gloveboxes).
2024 Rose Backroad FF – Pricing, spec & availability
The brand new carbon Rose Backroad FF is available in simply two SRAM AXS wi-fi full builds, each with built-in energy meters. I examined the dearer 5000€ Backroad FF Power AXS XPLR with its 50mm deep x 27mm inside carbon wheels. Claimed to weigh 8kg, my measurement M/L tester was 8.39kg with the additional out-front GPS & mild mount (and on reflection, a tube with a loopy lengthy valve after a trailside restore.)
There’s additionally a 3500€ Backroad FF Rival AXS XPLR mannequin. That one options the very same quick however comfortable carbon frameset, cockpit & seatpost. It will get a decrease spec 30mm deep x 25m extensive alloy wheelset and a step right down to Rival parts. However solely a 500g penalty for that value financial savings. Plus, it nonetheless features a full wi-fi groupset & energy meter for a similar value as the most cost effective digital Di2 construct we examined on the outdated Backroad 4 years in the past. Take that inflation!
Each construct specs can be found in six sizes (XS-XL). Each in pistachio beige or supersonic gray (off-white), plus a Power-only rotten sweet marbled pink. Order all of them now shopper direct from Rose, with worldwide deliveries beginning in late Could to early June 2024.
