Enduro e-bikes on test: The new Rose Slab Plus XT - high-end for little money?

E-mountainbikes have been surprisingly absent from the Rose portfolio in recent years. With the Slab Plus, the Bocholt-based mail-order company wants to make a breakthrough in this coveted category. The bike is surprisingly progressive and sporty.

Long geometry, fixed battery, full carbon frame. The price tag is remarkable. Our test bike rolls for 5900 euros (>> available here) with Fox suspension and Shimano XT equipment including electronic wireless Di2 gears in the field. That's rare in this price range.

From 4900 euros with full carbon frame

Savings foxes will find the Slab Plus 70 another 1000 euro cheaper version, which is also enduro-ready and boasts an identical drive and chassis. The appearance and finish of the frame are excellent. The details such as the seamlessly integrated display and the practical charging port are also impressive.

The Rose Slab Plus XT was tested in the course of a duel with the Cube AMS Hybrid 177 TM E-Enduro. Click here for the other articles in the series:

>> Directly to the test of the Cube AMS Hybrid 177 TM

>> E-Enduros under 6000 euros in a duel: Cube vs Rose - who will win?

The Slab Plus comes with the tried and tested Bosch Performance CX. In our tests, the Swabian motor not only shone with a massive range, but also with particularly successful modulation. All information about the Bosch Performance CX can be found in our current laboratory and practical test here in the link. On long tours, the large Bosch Powertube 800 delivers an enormous range. However, the battery cannot be removed quickly. The fixed integration can be limiting in everyday life and on long tours.

The right frame size

The frame of the Slab Plus is long. Small riders, under 165 cm at the latest, might not be able to cope ideally even with a size S. And if you're looking for playful handling, you should opt for a smaller size if in doubt. Our test bike in size L rolls onto the test lap in Finale Ligure with a wheelbase of over 1300 mm and a generous reach of 493 mm.

>> Looking for a lightweight e-bike? The Rose File Plus 70 in the test

Practical test: Real enduro genes?

Thanks to the very steep seat angle, the position is nevertheless emphatically compact and comfortable. On climbs, the central position on the bike rewards you with a lot of control over the front wheel. Even steep stretches and technical passages are easy to handle. The rear suspension provides a high level of riding comfort and good traction. The Schwalbe tyres with radial carcass also help here, providing clear advantages in slippery conditions on climbs. The tried and tested Bosch motor also helps on difficult uphills with good modulation and dynamic thrust.

Comfort and riding stability are also the defining characteristics of the Slab Plus downhill. The rear suspension quickly releases a lot of travel and greedily soaks up even nasty rock gardens. Paired with the rollover-friendly 29er set-up, you get that air cushion feeling. The long geometry and high front end provide a lot of riding confidence and smoothness.

However, the more active the riding style and the twistier the track, the more noticeable a certain sluggishness becomes. For active pushing, the rear should offer more support and playful riding manoeuvres such as bunny hops and manuals are also somewhat more difficult. You can feel on the trail that you have to move a lot of bike. But that's complaining on a high level, because in this price range, e-enduro bikes tend to be significantly heavier and more sedate. A pity: Despite the integrated battery, the Slab Plus rattled quite noticeably from the down tube.

Strengths & Weaknesses Rose Slab Plus XT

Strengths

• Suspension that absorbs shocks
• Smooth running and driving safety
• Top equipment at a fair price
• A lot of range

Weaknesses

• Permanently installed battery
• Rattling noises
• Rather sluggish handling