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Following the carbon version of the Backroad gravel bike and the Reveal marathon bike, the Backroad with aluminium frame now also has an e-bike motor. The Backroad AL Plus is aimed at a broad target group, including bikepackers, commuters and newcomers, and has an attractive price tag. As with the non-motorised gravel bike from Rose, you sit relatively upright in the saddle on the Plus version. Numerous mounting eyelets for bags and mudguards as well as a maximum tyre clearance of 47 millimetres make the Rose Backroad AL Plus into a robust companion for the commute to the office or off-road adventures lasting several days - provided you can find a place to charge it.
Rose Backroad AL Plus: The most important facts at a glance (manufacturer information)
- Weight of complete wheel: 13.4 kilograms (frame size 56)
- Motor: Mahle X35 hub motor (3.5 kilograms)
- Maximum range: 100 kilometres (170 kilometres with range extender)
- Performance: 40 Newton metres
- Battery capacity: 250 watt hours (458 watt hours with range extender)
- Stack/Reach/STR: 598/378 millimetres/1.58 (frame size 56)
- Switching group: Shimano GRX RX810 (1x11) or SRAM Apex XPLR (1x12)
- Maximum tyre clearance: 47 millimetres
- Frame sizes: 50, 53, 56, 59, 61
- Prices: 3399 and 3499 euros
However, the maximum range of 100 kilometres could be a little short for bikepacking specialists. The Mahle X35 motor on the rear wheel hub provides support in three stages, which can be selected during the ride using a push button on the top tube and customised via an app. The maximum torque is 40 Newton metres. In comparison, the X20 from Mahle on the Mondraker Dusty delivers up to 55 Newton metres with an even greater range, according to the manufacturer. With an optional range extender, the Rose Backroad Plus can travel up to 170 kilometres, but this comes at the expense of weight: according to Rose, the new E-gravel bike in size M weighs around 13.4 kilograms, with an additional battery on the seat tube adding just under 2.3 kilograms.
Two equipment options, two paint finishes
The Rose Backroad AL Plus is available in two equipment variants and five frame sizes: either with the new Sram Apex XPLR (1x12) for 3399 euros or with Shimano GRX (1x11) for 3499 euros. Apart from the gearing, both versions are identical and come with sturdy aluminium wheels from Rose, chunky WTB tyres and an aluminium handlebar from Ritchey.
Julian Schultz
Editor
