As well as having more than 100 years of pedigree behind them, Rose are simply enormous as a company, and operate slightly differently to most brands. Their bikes are available with stock specification but you can run them through their famous configurator to customise the build to your preference.
For 2013, Rose are introducing a couple of new bikes, and making some tidy refinements to the existing range. Here’s an overview of the new models BikeRadar have checked out at press camp so far…
Beef Cake
As usual, the Beef Cake will be available in both downhill (DH) and freeride (FR) guises.
The FR gets a smart new colour scheme on the new tube set, which has been optimised for rigidity and strength without sacrificing weight. A new linkage system improves the progression of the rear end and features a chip that can be flipped to tweak the travel from 180mm to 200mm.
The DH version has been developed alongside the Rose Vaujany team. Geometry refinements accompany a boost in rear travel to 220mm, and a new rear axle designed by Rose engineer Andi Heimerdinger.
Granite Chief
The popular 150mm trail thrasher sees no major changes for 2013, just tweaks to graphics and some spec details. A CrankBrothers Iodine wheelset now graces the bike, alongside other Crank products such as the Kronolog seatpost.
We would like to see ISCG mounts on the frame, although that could tread on the toes of the very capable Uncle Jimbo…
Uncle Jimbo
Designed with enduro riding in mind, the Uncle Jimbo has 160mm of travel and has been given a new hydroformed tube set for 2013. It’s no lighter but is substantially stiffer and includes that all-important ISCG mount.
Coming stock with a double and bash setup and a chainguide, it’s obviously aimed at gravity-fuelled riding.
Brand new for 2013 are the girls’ small and medium frame size options, which should offer a sensible gravity bike for smaller riders.
Root Miller
Brand new for 2013, this 29er trail bike sees 120mm of travel and should be a very popular UK option. Based on the older Jabba Wood, the Root Miller features a low-slung bottom bracket that should sit the bike on the trail well.
We haven’t ridden this yet, but predict good things. Watch this space…
Bruce 4X
Developed directly with the Rose Vaujany gravity team, this 4X frame has an undeniably low-slung appearance for hugging the ground at speed and popping off race jumps where needed.
There are three sizes available – small, medium and large – that feature different-length top and head tubes.
Psycho Path
No changes for 2013 on this lightweight cross-country ripper. It’s still got simple looks and a stiff frame, and offers the potential to build a very light race machine.
Mr Bad
Looking rude in matt black with gloss black decals, the Mr Bad is Rose’s carbon fibre 29er frame. It would be nice to see a really tricked-out, monster cross version of this bike.
Dr Z
100mm of travel and 29in wheels make this bike a cross-country weapon. With the ability to chop and change spec as you like, the Mr Z could be a useful race machine to annoy those in the UK who don’t like 29ers.
