New ROSE SLAB Plus On Test – Solid Like a Boulder?

With the new ROSE SLAB Plus X0, the German direct-to-consumer brand enters the full-power enduro game – powered by a Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 800 Wh battery. With the slogan ‘Whatever,’ this bike positions itself as ready for anything the trail demands. Yet the question remains: can a do-it-all e-MTB under €7,000 really deliver?

With the SLAB Plus, ROSE are completing their eMTB offensive. Following the BONERO Plus hardtail and the light-assist FILE Plus, the logical next step is here: a full-power eMTB with serious travel and plenty of support. With 170 mm at the front and 160 mm at the rear, the bike is equipped with Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor and a neatly integrated 800 Wh downtube battery. Visually, the new SLAB Plus slots seamlessly into the updated ROSE e-MTB lineup: sharp edges, a clean silhouette and no unnecessary frills. In our test colour “Liquid Racing Green”, the bike looks sporty and confident, with a clear identity of its own. With the SLAB, ROSE aim to reach an even broader audience – especially those looking for more than just a little assistance. And, true to ROSE’s direct-to-consumer philosophy, the pricing stays aggressive. At € 6,900 for the top-spec model tested here, the SLAB Plus makes a bold statement. But the real question is: how does the new ROSE SLAB Plus perform on the trail?

The new ROSE SLAB Plus in Detail

Understatement at its finest! With the new SLAB Plus, ROSE have deliberately steered clear of bling and design overkill, instead opting for clean lines and a minimalist silhouette. Even with a massive 800 Wh battery tucked away into the downtube, the bike is slim and compact in appearance. ROSE also keep the decals subtle: the only branding is a stylised “R” on the head tube, quietly nodding to its roots in Bocholt. The paintwork, on the other hand, makes a statement. Our test bike comes in the striking Liquid Racing Green, while those after something a bit bolder can opt for Off Snow White Shiny.

Combined with the clean cockpit and the neatly integrated seat clamp hidden inside the seat tube, the SLAB Plus presents a cohesive, well-thought-out design. Less convincing, however, are some of the plastic covers. The motor cover and the charging port flap, in particular, don’t feel quite as premium as the rest of the bike. It’s a detail you might only notice on closer inspection, but it slightly detracts from the otherwise polished impression. On a more positive note: the rubber chainstay protector stands out for the right reasons, effectively preventing chain slap, and ensuring a quiet ride even on rough trails. The cover between main frame and rear triangle is also cleanly fitted and does its job without fuss.

Full Throttle, Full Power – The Spec of the ROSE SLAB Plus X0

For the motor system, ROSE rely on a proven powerhouse from Stuttgart: the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5, which delivers a hefty 100 Nm of torque, 750 W peak power, and supports your pedalling with up to 400% assistance. However, the motor only unleashes its full potential once you activate it in the app and configure the support modes accordingly.

The fully integrated 800 Wh battery supplies plenty of energy for long rides. The system is controlled via the minimalist Mini Remote, while the Kiox 400C display, neatly integrated into the top tube, provides all the key ride data, navigation and stats in crisp, high resolution.

RockShox supply the top model with their high-end Ultimate suspension. Up front, the RockShox ZEB Ultimate features the Charger 3.1 damper, while the rear end is handled by the Vivid Ultimate air shock. Both offer a sensitive response and are easy to dial in. The suspension delivers strong trail performance, whether you’re charging through rock gardens or flowing along singletrack.

Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM Eagle XO AXS Transmission drivetrain, which performs buttery-smooth gear changes even under load. It’s paired with a slightly heavier and less durable GX cassette. The RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post fits seamlessly into the wireless setup and offers a generous 175 mm of travel for plenty of freedom of movement on the descents.

SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes do stopping duties together with a 220 mm rotor up front and a 200 mm Centrelock disc at the rear. Unfortunately, the Centrelock mounts make it harder to source spare rotors, and in our test, the discs showed noticeable play.

For the wheelset, ROSE rely on a NEWMEN Beskar 30 Base aluminium wheel up front and the more robust Strong version at the rear, both fitted with 29” Schwalbe Albert tyres. The front runs a lighter Trail carcass with Ultra Soft compound for maximum grip, while the rear features a Gravity casing and Soft compound to improve puncture protection.

Tuning tip: Fit a handlebar with more upsweep and ideally a bit more rise – this lifts the front end and gives you a more upright riding position, along with better control on the trail.

Other Spec Variants of the New ROSE SLAB Plus

The new ROSE SLAB Plus is available in three spec variants, which are all built around the same carbon frame and equipped with the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor and the 800 Wh battery. The only exception: the entry-level model skips the Kiox 400C display in the top tube and instead uses the simpler System Controller. Nice touch: all builds come with a well-matched Schwalbe tyre combo.

ROSE SLAB Plus 70

With a retail price of € 4,900, the SLAB Plus 70 marks the entry point into the model range – and drops the barrier to entry impressively low. That said, the spec is fairly simple: up front, a RockShox Domain Gold fork handles the hits, while a RockShox Super Deluxe Select shock smooths things out at the rear. Both offer limited adjustability and noticeably lower trail performance compared to the top-tier spec variant. The real highlight at this price point is the mechanical SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type Transmission drivetrain, which is both robust and precise. SRAM also supply the DB8 Stealth brakes, which deliver solid stopping power but lack the bite and modulation of higher-end systems. ROSE’s in-house aluminium wheels round out the build, making for a well-balanced package at a sharp price.

ROSE SLAB Plus XT

At € 5,900, the XT variant steps things up a notch. Up front, you’ll find a FOX 38 Performance fork – though it still uses the older GRIP damper, which has since been replaced by the more capable GRIP X version. That comes at a slight cost to the bike’s trail performance. The fork is paired with the latest FOX Float X2 Performance shock. Shifting is handled electronically via the 12-speed Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain, paired with powerful Shimano XT M8200 four-piston brakes. The ROSE SLAB Plus XT rolls on a mixed wheelset: a NEWMEN Forge 30 Base up front and the more robust Forge 30 Strong at the rear.

The Geometry of the New ROSE SLAB Plus

The SLAB is available in four sizes, from S to XL, and tends to run on the large side. In our tested size L, the reach is a generous 495 mm. That’s fairly long, so sizing is something you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on when buying. With a recommended rider height range of 1.80 to 1.92 m for size L, this frame feels noticeably big. If you’re between sizes and prefer a more playful, agile ride, it’s worth opting for the smaller size. Chainstay length is 448 mm across all sizes, which is also on the longer side. The head angle sits at a slack 64°, while the seat angle is a steep 77.8° – giving the bike a modern, progressive geometry.

Framesize	S	M	L	XL
Seattube	410 mm	430 mm	450 mm	470 mm
Toptube	578 mm	605 mm	632 mm	659 mm
Headtube	115 mm	115 mm	125 mm	135 mm
Headtube angle	64°	64°	64°	64°
Seattube angle	77.8°	77.8°	77.8°	77.8°
BB drop	22.5 mm	22.5 mm	22.5 mm	22.5 mm
Chainstay	448 mm	448 mm	448 mm	448 mm
Wheelbase	1247 mm	1272 mm	1297 mm	1322 mm
Reach	445 mm	470 mm	495 mm	520 mm
Stack	635 mm	635 mm	644 mm	653 mm

The New ROSE SLAB Plus X0 on the Trail

From the moment you swing your over the saddle, the ROSE SLAB Plus X0 integrates you nicely between its wheels, placing you in a balanced position between the front and rear. The front end sits quite low, which puts more pressure on your hands than your saddle during pedalling, resulting in a generally sportier, more stretched-out riding position. The cockpit takes a bit of getting used to: ROSE’s in-house handlebar has minimal upsweep and actually drops off slightly at the ends. At first, it doesn’t quite feel like a performance-focused eMTB. A bar with more upsweep and a bit more rise would offer improved comfort when climbing and boost control on the descents. Heading uphill, the SLAB Plus shows off its efficient side. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor delivers punchy power and strong acceleration. Thanks to the relatively long chainstays, the rear end generates plenty of traction – which pairs nicely with the front-heavy riding position on technical climbs. The result? You’ve got full control over the front wheel, and the ROSE SLAB Plus carves through tricky sections like it’s on rails.

When the trail points downhill, the suspension impresses with a comfortable, composed character. What already feels plush on fireroads continues seamlessly on the trail. Small bumps are soaked up effectively, and despite the relatively soft setup, there’s still enough support to build speed and ride the bike actively. At higher speeds, the SLAB Plus benefits from its solid, no-nonsense spec, yet its overall trail behaviour remains remarkably neutral. It’s a bike that stays out of the way and lets you ride without surprises.

That said, riders who frequently tackle steep or rough terrain may find the low front end lacking in confidence. The ROSE SLAB Plus X0 handles a lot without flinching, but when you really push the pace, it starts to feel a bit unsettled at the limit.

While the handling is intuitive and forgiving overall, things can get a bit twitchy at very high speeds. That aside, the bike is easy to control and leans more toward the forgiving than the razor-sharp end of the spectrum. It smooths over mistakes, especially in rough sections or when fatigue sets in – a real plus for beginners and anyone looking for an easy-going, hassle-free eMTB.

Who Should Take a Closer Look at the New ROSE SLAB Plus X0 For?

The ROSE SLAB Plus is aimed at riders looking for a sleek, full-power eMTB with solid specs and fair pricing. Many of the components you’ll find here are usually reserved for bikes well north of the € 10,000 mark. With the SLAB Plus, ROSE show that high performance doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.

Of course, if you’re constantly pushing the limit, you’ll need to accept a few trade-offs in outright performance. But for both beginners and more advanced riders, the SLAB Plus is a dependable all-rounder that delivers on both the climbs and the descents.

Conclusions about the ROSE SLAB Plus X0

The ROSE SLAB Plus X0 isn’t a radical game-changer or a high-speed monster – but it is a seriously well-priced full-power eMTB aimed at anyone who just wants a good bike without handing over a whole month’s salary. At this price point, the spec is almost unmatched. You’ll have to accept some compromises in trail performance, especially at high speeds, where the low front end and quirky cockpit hold it back slightly. And the plastic covers on the motor and charging port don’t quite match the otherwise premium finish. Still, the SLAB offers a whole lot of bike for the money. For us, SLAB now stands for: Solid. Laid-back. Affordable Build.

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More info at ROSE.com.

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt, Robin Ulbrich Photos: Peter Walker