“ROSE wants to further shake up the gravel market with its first thoroughbred UCI-compliant gravel race bike. With the new platform, the bike brand is responding to the rapidly increasing popularity of gravel racing. However, the BACKROAD FF is not only aimed at pure competitors, but ROSE sees the growing and more popular sport as a movement for everyone who loves top speeds off the tarmac. Following on from the long-standing success story of the popular BACKROADs, gravel enthusiasts can now experience the ROSE interpretation of a pure gravel racing machine that, true to the product brand claim “Dare to explore our limits.”, invites you to push your personal limits on rough terrain.” – Rose Bikes
“The BACKROAD FF is in terms of development a well thought-out and inspiringly aesthetic overall gravel racing concept in which every component is harmonised down to the smallest detail to create a racing machine with maximum potential. “FF” stands for Fast Forward and essentially describes the identity of the new UCI compliant BACKROAD FF platform. During development, the race design established in the XLITE was precisely moulded into a well thought-out overall concept. Race-characteristic components and frame features such as the newly developed Gravel One-Piece Cockpit, tyre clearance of up to 45 mm, the well thought-out bag concept, integrated power meter, chainguide and UDH derailleur hanger are optimised to the maximum for speed on rough terrain.”
Aero in the Hoods – Control in the Drops
“Since resting on the handlebar and the ‘Puppy paws’ position that used to be popular with breakaway riders are no longer allowed in UCI races or in big US races like UNBOUND, we have optimised our cockpit to be as comfortable and aerodynamic as possible for cyclists in the racing position.”, says Campo Schmitz, Product Manager at ROSE Bikes, “– the hoods are slightly turned inwards, the hands rest on the hoods, forearms on the ‘moulded’ area at the bar top, elbows angled at almost 90 degrees.”
“In addition, the slight flare of the drops gives enough control for technical descents. We have reduced the distance to the brake levers so that the STI can be easily reached on descents, while still leaving enough space for the forearms when sprinting.”
In collaboration with bike fitter and podcaster Bastian Marks, ROSE Product Management developed a cockpit designed for speed, which is indispensable on the BACKROAD FF.”
Aero at the front, lightweight at the back – The new GC50 Gravel Wheels
“The GC50 wheels were specially developed for the BACKROAD FF and tested in the virtual wind tunnel. While the rear wheel is trimmed for lightweight construction, the wider front wheel profile noticeably improves aerodynamics. “Gravel races are getting faster and faster, which is why aerodynamics are playing an increasingly important role. Like the fork, the cockpit and the head tube, the front wheel is free in the wind and is therefore much more important for the aerodynamics of the bike than the rear wheel. That is why the focus of the front wheel is on aerodynamics, which is primarily achieved by the 40 mm wide rim that merges perfectly with the 40 mm tyre.”
“For the rear wheel, we focused on the weight, as the air is already very swirled due to the rider and the front of the bike,” says Product Manager Jonas Tenbrock. “We have also developed new aero hubs in collaboration with Newmen. These have a much slimmer hub body and are therefore more streamlined. They are lightweight without sacrificing rigidity. In addition, special smooth-running bearings and seals are installed, which increase the efficiency of the overall concept. Combined with robust Sapim CX-Sprint Aero spokes, this results in a maximally potent gravel race wheelset – the ROSE GC50.” The new ROSE GC50 is available on the BACKROAD FF Force AXS XPLR.”
Bags that make you faster – BACKROAD FF Bag Concept
“The aerodynamically integrated and optimised BACKROAD FF bags have been tested in a virtual wind tunnel and make the bike even faster. During the race, riders not only benefit from a practical and easily accessible storage space for bars, tools, rain jacket etc. – CFD analyses even show that the frame bag saves around half a watt at 45 km/h. The BACKROAD FF Aero Fidlock TOP TUBE BAG is optionally available for € 79.95 and the BACKROAD FF Aero Fidlock FRAME BAG for € 109.95.”
“With the BACKROAD FF, cyclists can experience everything that gravel racing is all about – without compromise. The BACKROAD FF comes with a chainguide that will never let you down in a race. No matter what forces are acting on the bike: The chain stays where it belongs. “Gravel races are very diverse and require very different gearing. Topographically and technically demanding courses require small chainrings and courses similar to flat roads require large chainrings,” explains Jonas Tenbrock, Product Manager, “which is why we decided to offer chainguides from 40-52T.” This was developed especially for the BACKROAD FF in cooperation with the well-known US manufacturer Wolftooth.”
“The new BACKROAD FF will be available in two equipment variants. The BACKROAD FF Rival AXS XPLR with a weight of approx. 8.5 kg is available for € 3499.00 in the frame colours pistachio and supersonic grey and comes with ROSE GC30 LIGHT wheels, Schwalbe G One R gravel tyres and a Selle Italia Flite Boost saddle. The model with Force AXS XPLR is also available in the frame colour rotten candy and comes with GC50 wheels, Schwalbe G One RS gravel tyres and a Selle Italia Flite Boost Carbon saddle.”
“Both models are equipped with the ROSE Gravel One-Piece Cockpit, Quarq powermeter, Wolftooth chainguide and UDH derailleur hanger.”
Learn more at the Rose Bikes Website