Subtle modernism? – New 2025 ROSE FILE PLUS X0 on Test

Clean look, modern geometry and cutting-edge tech – with the new FILE Plus, ROSE are (finally) aiming to deliver a competitive full-suspension eMTB. Powered by the latest TQ HPR60 motor and a 580 Wh battery, it is designed to supercharge ROSE’s eMTB range. We put the German newcomer through the wringer to find out how it fares on the trail.

ROSE are well-established and highly regarded in the gravel- and road-bike segments. But things look quite different when it comes to e-mountainbikes: at the moment, the German direct-to-consumer brand offers just two models in their Plus range – and neither plays a significant role on the market. The Root Miller Plus full-suspension eMTB comes with a very attractive price, but feels outdated without the Bosch Smart System and the compact geometry. The BONERO Plus follows a pretty cool concept, but as a hardtail it only appeals to a fairly small target group. Now, with the arrival of the brand-new 2025 FILE Plus, ROSE are stepping up with a completely new full-suspension platform that – at least on paper – looks like a real contender. And it’s likely to appeal to a much broader range of riders. Unlike the BONERO Plus, which relies on the TQ HPR50 motor, the new FILE Plus comes equipped with the new HPR60 drive unit. Combined with a fully integrated 580 Wh battery, the € 7,999 FILE Plus X0 flagship model rolls on 29” wheels and offers 150/140 mm of travel (f/r). Tipping the scales at 20.44 kg in size L, the bike certainly ticks all the right boxes on paper – the only question is: did ROSE’s developers nail it this time?

The new 2025 ROSE FILE Plus X0 in detail

So subtle, it stands out again – the new 2025 ROSE FILE Plus makes a statement with radically reduced styling. The full-carbon frame catches the eye with sharp lines, crisp edges and a minimalist side profile that sets it apart from the crowd. Gone is the bold ROSE lettering seen on the Root Miller Plus – in its place, an entirely clean and understated silhouette.

Only the logo on the head tube badge and the model name on the top tube hint at the bike’s origin– crafted in Bocholt. The understated “Soil” paint finish of our test bike underlines this impression, with its muted, earthy grey tone adding to the bike’s understated character. The look is further enhanced by the fully integrated cable routing, which runs cleanly through the headset.

As much as we love good design, function and durability mustn’t fall by the wayside. That’s why ROSE took several steps to protect the frame against external impacts. Starting on the downtube, the motor cover has been extended toward the head tube to shield the frame from impacts. At the rear end, a small, bolted fender keeps debris away from the moving parts between the seat tube and chainstays – and to protect the paintwork. The generously sized, well-damped chainstay protector on the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus does the same thing. Unfortunately, when pedalling in the highest gear, the chain rests on the very same protector and wears it down – an issue we also had with other bikes.

The spec of the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus X0

The trend towards minimalism continues with the 2025 FILE Plus’ drive system. ROSE opted for a TQ motor – a name long associated with sleek, near-invisible integration. The latest HPR60 drive carries this ethos forward, seamlessly blending into the frame. At the same time, it raises the bar with a colour display seamlessly integrated into the top tube – subtle, refined, and perfectly aligned with the FILE Plus’s understated design.

With 60 Nm of torque and 350 watts peak power, the HPR60 delivers more performance than its predecessor, the HPR50 – yet it remains firmly in the category of minimal-assist motors. It offers a maximum support ratio of 200%, meaning you’ll need to put out at least 175 watts yourself to unlock its full potential. Powering the motor is a fixed 580 Wh battery – the only option available. However, for those who want more range for bigger days out, the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus can be paired with an optional 160 Wh range extender.

The TQ motor of the ROSE FILE Plus is paired with SRAM’s top-tier drivetrain components. As the name suggests, the X0 spec-variant we tested comes equipped with an X0 Transmission rear derailleur and matching cranks. However, ROSE opted not to go full premium across the board: both the cassette and chain are from the cheaper and slightly heavier SRAM GX series. In practice, though, this had no negative impact on shifting performance during our test. The drivetrain works flawlessly, consistently, and is both reliable and sturdy – shifting smoothly even under full load on steep climbs and with fast gear changes on technical trails.

The wheel/tire combination is spot-on: ROSE chose a smart, purpose-driven spec for the 2025 FILE Plus X0. At the front, the bike rolls on NEWMEN’s Beskar 30 aluminium wheelset with the lighter Base rim, while the rear wheel – which takes more of a beating – uses the more robust Strong rim. The tire choice follows the same logic: Schwalbe’s Tacky Chan is fitted up front with the lighter Super Trail casing and grippy Ultra Soft rubber compound. At the rear, the more robust Super Gravity casing is paired with the faster-rolling, more durable ADDIX Soft compound – a solid match for trail riding.

ROSE go all-in on braking performance with the 2025 FILE Plus X0: the SRAM MAVEN Silver four-piston brakes provide powerful, confidence-inspiring deceleration – and even the relatively small 180 mm rear rotor doesn’t hold them back. That said, on long descents and under heavier riders, it can heat up fairly quickly, as expected.

Tuning tip: Heavier riders are better off swapping the rear rotor for a bigger 200 mm disc.

ROSE haven’t made any compromises with the suspension on the 2025 FILE Plus top model — the entire setup comes from RockShox’s premium Ultimate series. The RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork features the new Charger 3.1 damper with RC2T technology, which allows to adjust the high- and low-speed compression circuits separately. The fork is paired with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. Both suspension components offer a wide range of tuning options and deliver a strong performance on the trail.The package is rounded off with an E*thirteen Vario Infinite dropper post offering 180 mm of travel (size L), plus ROSE’s own cockpit setup with a 40 mm stem and a 780 mm handlebars.

The build options of the ROSE FILE Plus 2025

ROSE currently offer the new 2025 FILE Plus in two different spec variants: alongside the top-tier X0 model we tested – which costs € 7,999 – there’s the more affordable FILE Plus 70 variant, which retails at € 5,999. Given Shimano’s recent launch of the new Di2 DEORE XT and XTR drivetrains, it’s safe to assume that additional build options will follow on ROSE’s website in the near future.
The X0 version of the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus, as tested, is available in two colourways: the understated “Soil” of our test bike and a more vibrant “Dusk” finish. The more affordable FILE Plus 70 is also available in two distinct colours – “Soleil” and “Soil.”

The more affordable 70 variant, which is €2,000 cheaper than the flagship model, comes with the same motor and battery system but differs in key components like the suspension, wheels, drivetrain and brakes. As the name suggests, shifting is taken care of by a mechanical SRAM Transmission 70 drivetrain. Suspension duties are handled by RockShox’s Select series, which uses the more basic Charger damper – resulting in fewer adjustment options and slightly reduced damping performance.

The NEWMEN Performance 30 wheelset of the FILE Plus 70 variant is made from aluminium, just like the Beskar 30 wheels of the top model – but it’s about 150 g heavier. The SRAM DB8 brakes spec’d on the FILE Plus 70 also feature four pistons like the MAVEN brakes on the flagship build, but deliver noticeably less stopping power. The more budget-friendly spec has an impact on the overall weight too: according to ROSE, the FILE Plus 70 weighs around 400 g more than the FILE Plus X0 tested here.

The geometry of the new 2025 ROSE FILE Plus

The 2025 ROSE FILE Plus is available in four sizes, S, M, L and XL, with reach values ranging from 435 mm to 510 mm in 25 mm increments. According to ROSE, this makes the 2025 FILE Plus suitable for riders between 1.60 and 2.02 m tall. The 485 mm reach in size L is on the longer side, while the chainstays remain consistent across all sizes at a fairly standard 445 mm.

Acros’ adjustable headset allows you to slacken the head angle of the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus from the stock 65° to 64°. Although the adjustment is a bit more fiddly than using a flip chip, it only affects the head angle – leaving the bottom bracket height and seat tube angle unchanged. Compared to the outdated geometry of the Root Miller Plus, the 2025 FILE Plus features a slacker head angle, longer reach, increased stack and a lower bottom bracket. The result? A much more modern and descent-focused geometry from ROSE.

Frame Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat Tube	410 mm	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm
Top Tube	561 mm	587 mm	614 mm	641 mm
Head Tube	110 mm	115 mm	125 mm	130 mm
Head Angle	65°	65°	65°	65°
Seat Angle	78.5°	78.5°	78.5°	78.5°
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1203 mm	1237 mm	1267 mm	1292 mm
Reach	435 mm	460 mm	485 mm	510 mm
Stack	621 mm	625 mm	634 mm	645 mm

The new 2025 ROSE FILE Plus X0 on the trail

On long climbs, the ROSE FILE Plus X0 2025 proves its worth with a relaxed, tour-friendly pedalling position that remains comfortable even after several hundred metres of elevation gain. There’s no strain on your back, even after extended efforts. The suspension stays efficient and composed, keeping pedal bob to a minimum and allowing you to make the most of your power. Shifting performance is precise and reliable, even under load – the X0 Transmission derailleur worked flawlessly during our test, and the cheaper GX cassette didn’t seem to hold it back. While the TQ motor’s modest peak power and low support ratio mean the FILE Plus X0 doesn’t quite deliver that shuttle-like push up the hill, it still climbs steadily and quietly. With its relatively large 580 Wh battery, the FILE Plus also offers solid range, and the motor’s quiet, natural assistance feels more like a gentle breeze of tailwind than an overpowering boost.

The same applies on the descents. The noise level of the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus X0 remains impressively low even in rough sections during our test. The suspension setup is on the firmer side. Riders who actively push the E-MTB through rollers and berms will generate plenty of speed. It’s only in rock gardens or when taking the wrong line that the limited reserves of the 2025 FILE Plus become apparent.

Compared to rival bikes – such as the recently tested Propain Sresh SL – the riding position of the 2025 FILE Plus X0 doesn’t feel quite as integrated. Instead of feeling like you’re sitting between the wheels, you’re positioned a little more on top of the bike. As a result, the ROSE doesn’t exactly invite you to play with the trail – you’ll need to actively push it through corners to unlock its full potential for fun. This requires a fair bit of rider input, but it’s rewarded with precise, predictable handling. All in all, the ROSE FILE Plus X0 performs solidly across the board on the trail. It doesn’t reveal any real weaknesses in testing, but it also doesn’t set new benchmarks.

Who should take a closer look at the 2025 ROSE FILE Plus X0?

The 2025 FILE Plus X0 is built for riders who love long tours and don’t shy away from putting in the effort – but still want to tackle technical trails along the way. To really unlock its full potential, you’ll need to ride actively and plan your lines – something the target group will have no trouble with.

At the same time, it’s a solid option for less experienced riders looking for a balanced, quiet and dependable eMTB. The FILE Plus X0 also appeals to those who value clean, minimalist design. And in its base-spec version, it remains a compelling choice in terms of price.

Conclusions about the new 2025 ROSE FILE Plus X0

About time – the FILE Plus finally brings ROSE into the eMTB game. With the FILE Plus, ROSE finally created a solid and versatile all-round package, which is aimed at the performance-oriented eMTB crowd – and it looks the part too. Thanks to its modern geometry and carefully-chosen components, the FILE Plus delivers confident performance on the trail, both climbing and descending. Are there more intuitive and agile bikes out there? Definitely. But has ROSE managed to create a competitive eMTB that meets the demands of modern riders? Absolutely!

For more info, head to ROSE.

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Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Peter Walker