Most bike brands have a series of bike models on offer, evenly spaced regarding price and spec, with the top model often double the price of the entry-level bike. In contrast, ROSE will be offering only one model of their ELEC TEC FS. Is it an all-in-one compromise or can one size fit all?
A direct sales E-MTB?
In recent years, if you’ve been shopping for a regular mountain bike, you’ll have been hard-pressed to avoid large direct sales brands. If value for money is what you’ve been after, you will almost certainly have bought your bike from one of them. The situation currently looks a bit different in the case of E-MTBs, since here the retailer has regained importance. With the ELEC TEC FS, ROSE is now venturing ahead and enriching the market of direct E-MTB sales, which, up until now, has remained quite meagre. But ROSE have an ace up their sleeve: for those who prefer analogue over digital, you can drool over and test ride the ELEC TEC FS in their flagship store, the ROSE BIKETOWN in Bocholt.
The ROSE ELEC TEC FS in detail
Of course, the heart of every E-MTB is the electronic system comprised of battery, motor, and control panels, which in the case of the ROSE ELEC TEC FS comes from Continental. The motor itself is the well-known Brose Drive T, while the entire down tube including fully integrated 612 Wh battery is Continentals’ design. The four support levels can be selected via a small remote control on the handlebar, mounted on either the left or the right. The large central display keeps the rider up to date on vital riding data and, thanks to a Bluetooth interface, will soon be available with additional connectivity features. The app is expected to be available in early 2018.
Componentry of the ROSE ELEC TEC FS
The ROSE ELEC TEC FS is only available in the version we reviewed for € 4,399. The RockShox Revelation RC suspension fork has been completely redesigned for 2018 and now features the PIKE’s 35mm casting, but with less sophisticated internals. Fittingly paired with a RockShox Deluxe RT3, providing 140 mm of travel at the rear.
With the components, ROSE has put a lot of emphasis on durability and included many E-MTB specific components such as the SRAM EX1 drivetrain. For the ELEC TEC FS’s wheels, ROSE opted for SUNringlé Düroc rims with 36 mm internal width. And powerful SRAM Guide RE brakes paired with large 200 mm rotors at the front and 180 mm at the back provide all the stopping power you need.
Fork RockShox Revelation RC 140 mm
Rear shock< RockShox Deluxe RT3 140 mm
Motor/battery Continental/612 Wh
Brakes SRAM Guide RE 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM EX1
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth 125 mm
Stem Race Face Turbine 60 mm
Bars Race Face Atlas 785 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo SnakeSkin Apex 2,8″
Wheels SUNringlé Düroc 40
Weight 23.29 kg
Price € 4,399
Geometry of the ROSE ELEC TEC FS
The key data of the ROSE ELEC TEC FS is in no way unusual, the geometry nothing out of the ordinary. The 66.5 ° head angle is moderate, and the reach of 458 mm in size L is pretty much average. Only the stack height of 606 mm in size L surprisingly low, making for a low front end and an aggressive riding position.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 587 mm | 607 mm | 632 mm | 655 mm |
| Seat tube | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 500 mm |
| Head tube | 115 mm | 115 mm | 120 mm | 125 mm |
| Head angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
| Seat angle | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
| Chainstay | 458 mm | 458 mm | 458 mm | 458 mm |
| BB Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,186 mm | 1,206 mm | 1,231 mm | 1,255 mm |
| Reach | 415 mm | 435 mm | 458 mm | 480 mm |
| Stack | 601 mm | 601 mm | 606 mm | 610 mm |
The ROSE ELEC TEC FS on the trail
The minute you swing a leg over the ROSE ELEC TEC FS, you will feel right at home. The seating position sporty, yet well balanced. The moderately long reach measurement of 458 mm in size L meets the sweet spot exactly, thanks to the relatively steep seat tube angle of 74 ° you don’t feel overly stretched out, and your weight is nicely centred on the bike. The Continental system with the Brose motor provides sufficient pedalling assistance – it’s a pity that Conti hasn’t installed the new, stronger Brose Drive S motor instead.
The front wheel is always sufficiently weighted on climbs, staying safely on the ground up even the steepest ramps. The kinematics of the rear end remain acceptably unaffected by pedal stroke, so the shock can quite happily be left open. Due to the very high bottom bracket pedal-strikes are rare, allowing the rider to keep on pedalling through the roughest, rockiest terrain.
Once at the top, all there’s left to do is drop the saddle and hit the trail! The wide Race Face cockpit paired with Ergon grips handles very comfortably; and although ROSE leaves the choice of stem length up to the customer, we would always recommend the shortest version of 60 mm. The RockShox Revelation performs reliably, though it can’t compete with its more expensive sister, the PIKE, which offers more comfort and traction, especially on smaller hits. The rear end of the ROSE is somewhat firm, offering a lot of feedback from the trail: in combination with the voluminous tires, it makes for a good mix of comfort and control.
As long as the terrain remains relatively mellow, the ROSE scores with quick steering and agile handling. However, when the trail becomes more demanding and steeper, the low front takes its toll and will rob less experienced riders of confidence – a longer fork and a higher cockpit would make all the difference on the ELEC TEC FS. Thus, the ROSE ELEC TEC FS is recommended especially for ambitious tour riders who prefer to travel on forest roads and over easy terrain. The Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires, too, are best suited for easy going tails and fire roads. ROSE does at least spec the ELEC TEC FS with the reinforced sidewall Nobby Nic Apex.
Conclusion
ROSE has complete package on offer with the ELEC TEC FS. A lot of thought has gone into the selection of componentry, and at a very fair price. Sportive tour riders will find a trustworthy companion in the ROSE, but those who like to go off the beaten path into rougher terrain will quickly take the ELEC TEC FS beyond its limits.
More information on rosebikes.com
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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl, Moritz Dittmar
