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Commuter bikes are now called commuters. As part of the transport mix of the future, they are intended to save city centres from gridlock and help save the climate. Commuters are certainly not new as "bio-bikes", but with an electric tailwind they are currently taking off as a symbiosis of everyday bike and lightweight urban styler. Commuter e-bikes allow commutes of up to around 15 kilometres to be covered in a reasonable amount of time and without breaking a sweat. To ensure that this works safely, reliably and quickly, the bikes are fully equipped for road use, lightweight and powerfully motorised. Low-maintenance components such as gear hubs or heavy frames and forks are out of the question for weight reasons, as are large and therefore heavy batteries. They are superfluous anyway for commuter routes, which are usually not very long. Commuters also don't need massive pannier racks for transporting heavy loads, filigree pannier struts are easily sufficient for office luggage. At the same time, they blend unobtrusively into the stylish look of the bikes.
These components make the e-bike powerful and light
The Rose Backroad+ is available as a randonneur, as a fitness and gravel pedelec and in an urban version. All variants have the frameset in common, differing only in the equipment. The Backroad+ Urban fulfils the requirements of a commuter with its well-chosen components. At 17.5 kilos, the pedelec is a proven lightweight. The carbon frame and fork and the small battery with a capacity of just 360 Wh make this possible. An eleven-speed drivetrain with XT rear derailleur and single crankset also help to save weight. To ensure that the bike rolls as stable as possible despite the lightweight fork and frame combination, Rose has given it a stiff wheelset from DT Swiss, thru axles and a voluminous stem with integrated cable routing.
Backroad Urban riders will be delighted with the high level of riding safety thanks to the Shimano EP8 motor, which vehemently pushes forwards with a maximum torque of 85 Nm. The Urban is aimed at sporty cyclists who appreciate an agile bike with direct and precise steering behaviour. Thanks to the wide flatbar handlebars, the pedelec remains easy to control at all times, even in fast bends. The powerful Shimano drive has little trouble with the lightweight pedelec, and when the pedal pressure is increased, the drive develops a disproportionate amount of power. Dynamic acceleration is therefore effortless. Finely controllable brakes with 180 mm discs at the front and 160 mm discs at the rear reliably slow the Urban down again.
However, the sporty orientation of the Backroad+ comes at a price; despite the flexible seat post and the comfort-orientated frame geometry as well as the moderately sporty riding position, you should not expect a high level of riding comfort. The motor control instrument combined with the display is inconspicuously located at the left end of the handlebars. Although this means that it is not in the rider's central field of vision, it is still easy to read and provides information on the most important riding data. The switch-on button for the drive system is hidden under the top tube. Wingee mudguards with filigree pannier struts, which can take a load of eight kilos per side, only slightly detract from the sleek appearance of the Backroad+. The bright Litemove headlight also blends unobtrusively into the overall picture. With its voluminous down tube, the bike nevertheless confidently reveals itself as a pedelec. The only annoying feature is the centre stand; a rear stand would have suited the Backroad+ better.
Test summary of the Rose Backroad+ Urban
The Rose Backroad+ Urban is a lightweight, well-built and lively commuter with a high fun factor.
The price for the Rose Backroad+ is 4,499 euros >> available here
