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It's hard to miss the fact that many manufacturers are currently introducing new cross-country bikes. For example, the market recently saw new editions of the Merida Big.Nine and the Focus Raven. Component manufacturers are also stepping on the gas in the XC sector. Rockshox, for example, recently presented a new Sid suspension system. Lightweight, fast bikes are clearly in vogue. Mail-order company Rose from Bocholt has also recognised this. It's been six years since Rose updated the Psycho Path cross-country hardtail. Since then, XC bikers have had to wait for a new carbon hardtail from Rose. The Bocholt-based direct mail order company makes it clear from the name where the journey with the new bike is going and christens the new race hardtail with the abbreviation PDQ, for "Pretty Damn Fast". However, the Rose PDQ explicitly does not want to be a successor to the Psycho Path, but is going its own way.
The Rose PDQ 2024 at a glance
Manufacturer's specifications for the new Rose Hardtail
- Area of application: cross-country / marathon / tour
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Fork travel: 120 millimetres
- Frame material: Carbon
- Price: from 2999 Euro >> available here
- Weight: from 8.9 kilos
- Four models in four frame sizes and three colour variants
- New one-piece cockpit, new geometry, new equipment variants with Sram Eagle Transmission
Faster and more fun: the geometry of the new Rose hardtail
Rose's new 29-inch hardtail comes with a progressive geometry concept. At 67.5 degrees, the steering angle is very slack for a cross-country bike with a rigid rear end. In contrast, the seat angle is very steep at 75 degrees to ensure plenty of pressure on the front wheel and an efficient pedalling position even on nasty climbs. The bike manufacturer has also extended the reach. In size M, this measures a long 450 millimetres. Together with a reduced standover height, the new geometry should ensure a high sense of safety on descents without sacrificing efficiency on the race track.
430 millimetre short chainstays in all frame sizes promise manageable riding characteristics despite the increased overall length of the bike. A 60 millimetre short stem should ensure improved control on demanding trails. On models 3 and 4, this is part of a carbon cockpit unit, through which the cables are routed inside the frame. In addition, the new Rose Top Cap Computer Mount sits on the stem/handlebar combination to give bike computers from Garmin or Wahoo a secure hold.
The details of the new Rose PDQ race bike
The heart of the new Rose PDQ race bike is a completely redesigned carbon frame. To protect it from damage, Rose has integrated a steering stop limiter called HIP (hidden impact protection) into the down tube. This solution, which is invisible from the outside, also protects the internal cables from damage caused by over-twisted handlebars. Rose has extended the tyre clearance of the hardtail to accommodate modern cross-country or even trail tyres. Tyres up to 2.4 inches wide fit in the carbon rear triangle of the XC bike.
The models of the new Rose Hardtail
Every cross-country biker should be able to find a suitable model in the line-up of the new Rose PDQ from the four equipment variants. In the colour variants Oat Milk, Borealis Green and Stealth Black, the hardtail will be available in four frame sizes from S to XL. The entry into the world of carbon hardtails with carbon frames is the Rose PDQ 1. For 2999 euros, the direct mail order company equips the bike with a mix of Shimano XT and SLX components, and the new Rockshox Sid Base suspension fork out. The Newmen Evolution A30 rims are wrapped in 2.4-inch wide Maxxis Rekon Race tyres. The Rose PDQ also comes with a telescopic seatpost from E*thirteen in the most favourable equipment version. the PDQ 1 to.
Also the Model Rose PDQ 2 comes for 3799 euros with the simplest damping unit in the Rockshox Sid suspension fork. In return, the mid-range model shifts with Sram's electronic GX Eagle AXS Transmission groupset. Like the Rose PDQ 1 model, the PDQ 2 comes with Newmen aluminium wheels. The stem and carbon handlebars are two separate components. The Rose PDQ 2 weighs in at 10.8 kilos.
Rose equips the new PDQ 2 with premium Shimano XTR components and the coveted Shimano XTR series logo can also be found on the brakes. With lightweight Newmen Advanced SL X.A.30 carbon wheels and a carbon handlebar and stem combination, the weight drops to 8.9 kilos with a rigid carbon seatpost. In the head tube of the 5499 euro Rose PDQ 3 is a Fox Float 34 SC suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel.
With the Model PDQ 4 Rose goes one better in terms of equipment and equips the carbon hardtail with the best that component manufacturer Sram currently has to offer. For example, the top model, which costs 6999 euros, shifts completely wirelessly with the high-end Sram XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission groupset. The electronic Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper post is also cable-free. Naturally, a Rockshox Sid Ultimate suspension fork guides the Rose PDQ 4 over the trail as befits its status. With Newmen carbon wheels and the new Rose One-Piece XC cockpit, the scales stop at 9.5 kilos.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
