A designer who spends every spare minute on the bike has never done any manufacturer any harm. In the case of Rose, this is Andreas Heimerdinger, whom the Bocholt-based mail order company hired as its front man two years ago. Heimerdinger has been designing bikes for years, is a passionate freerider and tests each of his bikes on the rough trails of his adopted home on Lake Como. So it is hardly surprising that the Uncle Jimbo 6 has a sensible geometry, is specified with sensitivity and all the attachments are in the right place. The suspension, a symbiosis of Fox RP 23 shock and lowerable Talas fork, responds to every pebble, has plenty of usable suspension travel and can be switched to uphill mode in a few simple steps if required. Tip: Rose also offers the shock with reduced rebound damping for light riders.
The compact geometry with extra-short chainstays gives the bike agility and bounce - a real play bike in the park and on winding single trails. The fact that the Jimbo doesn't deliver top performance on the climbs is due to the compact riding position, which could be significantly lengthened with a different stem. Basically, the second lightest bike in the test field with its platform suspension is also the first choice for climbing (light wheels!).
The equipment (with many Syncros parts) is well matched to the area of use across the board. And if you also value a harmonious look, Rose is the right choice: the black and gold look extends to the smallest detail.
CONCLUSION: Harmonious, visually successful enduro bike with above-average equipment.
+ Successful geometry
+ Harmonious chassis
+ Lightweight wheels
- Tyres not ideal for Enduro
Web: www.rose.de
