German company Rose recently unveiled their 2014 range of road bikes to BikeRadar. As well as introducing two brand-new models designed for long distance or touring rides, they have also made revisions to existing road and cyclocross bikes.
See our image gallery, right, for details on the bikes, or read about Rose's 2014 mountain bike range here.
Rose Xeon Team CGF
The Xeon Team CGF is an all-new carbon bike developed specifically for long distance rides and touring. Geometry has been optimised for comfort for riders spending a long time in the saddle – that means a shorter top tube but a longer wheelbase overall.
The slim kinked seatstays have also been tuned to maximise comfort without giving too much away in terms of efficiency. Similarly, Rose have opted for a tapered head tube and fork combination up front; the Xeon Team uses a 1 1/8in to 1 1/4in bearing chosen to offer more than sufficient stiffness but also good levels of comfort.
The head tube, down tube, seat tube and seatstays feature aero tweaks, and a lot of effort has been made to keep a clean appearance – brake cables have been moved away from the top tube, for instance, and an integrated seatpost clamp has been used.
Rose Xeon Team CGF
The frame also uses direct mount rear brakes, suitable for the latest generation Shimano equipment along with SRAM's hydraulic rim brakes. Further integration is included for Shimano electronic drivetrains, with space in the seat tube to accomodate the Di2 battery.
The frame is available in six sizes and tips the scales at a claimed 850g for a 57cm model, with the carbon fork supposedly coming in at 330g.
Rose Team GF
The Team GF is essentially an alloy version of the carbon Team CGF (above). It too has been optimised for comfort, and features the same standards and comptaibility options as the carbon frame. Frames start at a claimed 1,400g, and the GF gets the same 330g carbon fork as its carbon brother.
Unique to the GF is a screw-in aluminium head tube spacer, meaning you can raise the front end of your bike by 2cm or 4cm depending on its configuration. This is something that Rose included after feedback from beginner riders.
Rose Team GF
The Team GF could easily be mistaken for a carbon frame, thanks to the extensive smoothing work that's been done at every weld. It's available in seven different sizes with a painted or anodised frame – paint jobs hold an approximate 80g weight penalty over equivalent anodised frames.
Pro SL
The Rose Pro SL sits between a race bike and a long distance choice. It's been subject to a facelift for 2014, with a new top tube and seatstays. Geometry has also been reworked, to offer more comfort, with the bike now using a shorter top tube and longer head tube.
Rose Pro SL
Unlike the above models, the Pro SL is not Di2 comptabile.
Pro DX Cross & Cross Pro RS
The Pro DX remains unchanged for 2014 – it's ready for total Di2 integration and uses discs at each end – whereas the Cross Pro RS has received a facelift and is aimed at what Rose call the "traditional 'cross racer".
Rose Pro DX Cross
There's no support for disc brakes at either end of the Cross Pro RS but the frame is Di2 ready, with space for a Shimano battery in the seat tube. Rose have switched to a 27.2mm seatpost, offering superior comfort over the previous version of the bike. A claimed weight saving of 150g has been achieved from both the frame and fork, thanks to new tubing and a fresh carbon fork.
Xeon CW
The Xeon CW is Rose's aero road race frame. It gets added versatility for 2014, in the form of a new seatpost known as the TSP. This positions you 50mm further forward, directly above the bottom bracket. The idea is that you can make the Xeon CW a useful time trial machine just by switching the seatpost. Current Xeon CW owners can also retrofit the TSP.
Rose Xeon CW
Xeon DX
The disc-ready aluminium Xeon DX has seen no major changes for 2014, although Rose did have some tasty builds on display, including this SRAM Red 22 machine. The company say they're awaiting the UCI's decision on disc brakes before they consider taking the plunge and developing a carbon version.
Rose Xeon DX
