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With the File Plus, Rose is back in the e-mountainbike game after a long dry spell. After a mixed performance with the older Root Miller Plus (test here) is the new File Plus a success right from the start. A full carbon frame, the new TQ motor with a large 580 battery and a geometry that is deliberately not too extreme are the most important key data. The medium suspension travel of 150/140 millimetres matches this.
The facts about the Rose File Plus 70
- Price: 5999 Euro >> available here
- Motor: TQ HPR 60, 60 Nm max. torque
- Battery: 580 Wh (permanently installed)
- Frame material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 20.5 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement)
- Max. System weight: 130 kg
- Warranty: 2 years
TQ HPR 60: Light, quiet, powerful
The new TQ HPR 60 is not a real master for tough uphill challenges. Its characteristics are not extremely lively. There is still no engine coasting that casually pushes you over high off-road gradients. Otherwise, however, the engine from Ammersee near Munich has hardly any weaknesses. At the bottom end, there is plenty of torque for a light engine. TQ has increased the peak power to 350 watts. This is easily enough to quickly conquer many metres of altitude uphill. At the same time, the heat resistance has been improved so that the power is now also available on long climbs.
The extremely compact design and the barely audible support noise are still unrivalled. The TQ has also been given a more stylish display. With the 580 battery in the Rose, long tours are also possible. An optional range extender gives you even more range. This gives the Rose a really long range. It's just a shame that the battery can't be removed for charging. But you can't have everything.
Great value for money
Rose has long since cancelled the configurator that its competitor Propain still offers. Instead, the Bocholt-based mail-order company shines with the better price-performance ratio. As the cheapest bike in our comparison test of lightweight e-mountainbikes, the Rose also comes with a high-quality full carbon frame and even the large battery from TQ. Of course, with the simple Lyrik fork and DB8 brakes, you'll have to make compromises elsewhere. Nevertheless: Rose specifies a super grippy and puncture-proof tyre combination from Schwalbe and a shock with a reservoir. The direction of travel is clear: this bike wants to take on trails. The Eagle 70 transmission ensures reliable gear changes without a derailleur hanger.
- Fork / shock: Rockshox Lyrik Select / Superdeluxe Select
- Gear system: Sram Eagle 70 Transmission
- Brakes: Sram DB8, 200/180 mm
- Wheels: Newmen Performance 30 Base / Strong
- Tyres: Schwalbe Tacky Chan Ultrasoft Supertrail / Soft Supergravity, 29 x 2.4
- Special features: Battery easily accessible via service flap
The geometry
Rose avoids extremes in many aspects of the geometry. The moderate steering angle of 65 degrees and short chainstays by e-bike standards contribute to playful handling. A low bottom bracket and long reach are modern. However, the seat angle is borderline extreme at almost 79 degrees.
Practical test: How the File Plus rides
This is one of the biggest criticisms the Rose has to put up with on the way to the trail. The riding position is a little too extreme with the steep seat angle. The special E-MTB saddle from Ergon also pushes the weight forwards. This puts a lot of pressure on the front uphill and the Rose is easy to control even on trail climbs. For normal tours, however, we would have liked it to be a little more relaxed.
Comfort king
Downhill, the Rose benefits from lots of spacers under the stem and a handlebar with plenty of rise. Despite the flat stack, you are well integrated into the bike. The particular strength of the File Plus is its neutral steering behaviour. With its moderate steering angle, the Rose is easy to control even for less experienced riders and forgives many a riding mistake. The suspension is very well tuned and offers a lot of sensitivity and comfort even at lower speeds.
The wheelbase and chainstays are rather short, which means that the Rose always remains manoeuvrable and never feels cumbersome, even with the larger battery. If you give the bike the spurs, the File Plus remains in control for a surprisingly long time. Only at extreme speeds do the slightly lower reserves in the suspension become noticeable. The fork and brakes are the first to reach their limits. Our tip for more performance: tune the fork with the Charger 3 Upgrade Kit and retrofit grippy pads and HS2 discs.
However, the balance is good even in standard trim, and the grippy Schwalbe tyres ensure a wide limit range. If you want, you can adjust the steering angle one degree slacker via bearing shells in the headset. In our opinion, however, the steep position fits in well with the concept. A small drawback: the battery is easily accessible, but doesn't quite fit past the motor. The creaking from the rear triangle, which appeared after a few rides, could not be remedied by the end of the test.
The Rose File Plus 70 in comparison
The most important competitor for the Rose is probably the Propain Sresh SL, which even came out on top in our group test. The Propain tends to be slightly more expensive than the Rose but can be customised via the configurator. The large battery can also be used here. The suspension offers even more reserves, but is not quite as comfortable at touring speed. Incidentally, the first bike with the large TQ battery was Trek's High-Pivot Enduro Slash+ (reviewed here)which has also already convinced us with its mix of trail fun and take-off qualities. It's actually significantly more expensive than the Rose, but thanks to the older HPR 50 it's also available at a good price. The new Trailbike Fuel+ with HPR 60 we have not yet been able to test.
BIKE review of the Rose File Plus
Strengths
- Steering behaviour and chassis
- Good range
- Fair price-performance ratio
Weaknesses
- Only two years warranty
- Permanently installed battery
- long seat tube and (too) compact riding position
The BIKE conclusion
Rose's first light e-bike* cuts a fine figure from a standing start. The sensitive and comfortable chassis and neutral riding behaviour contribute to its suitability for touring. It also has a long range thanks to the relatively large battery. However, not everyone likes the extreme riding position. - Jan Timmermann, Editor Test & Technology
Adrian Kaether
Editor
