Rose Ground Control: More suspension travel - the down-country bike grows into a trail bike
Marc Strucken
· 26.09.2024
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The Rose Ground Control has been with us for many years. It replaced the 26-inch Jabba Wood model in 2015 (!) and expanded the range to include the then fresh 29er MTBs. A lot has happened since then. For the coming bike season, Rose is expanding the MTB, which used to be known as a down-country bike, into a trail bike. The classic bike follows the "longer-flatter-faster" trend and, with 130 mm suspension travel at the front and an even slacker steering angle, should be even more suitable for descents.
Fortunately, the price has fallen compared to 2022The Rose Ground Control 3 cost 2999 euros back then - now it's on the market for 2499 euros. However, the weight has increased: 13.9 kilos (2022) to 14.5 kilos now.
Rose Ground Control: Longer, flatter, faster downhill?
The suspension travel of the Ground Control increases by 10 millimetres at the front and thus creates reserves off-road. In conjunction with the two-degree slacker head angle of 65 degrees and the increased reach from 460 to 475 millimetres (in frame size L), the new Rose bike should give you more confidence downhill. The good climbing abilities and its long-distance suitability have nevertheless been retained. From size M upwards, the Rose Ground Control rolls on 29-inch wheels, while size S with 27.5-inch wheels is also suitable for younger riders.
Also new: the UDH standard for the gear mounting point and cables integrated into the head tube. There are also revised holes on the down tube so that a large water bottle and a tool strap can be attached at the same time.
Models & price: 4 equipment variants from 1799 euros
All four model variants of the Rose Ground Control are fitted with Rockshox suspension - in different price ranges. On the Ground Control 3 and 4 models, the Pike Select+ suspension fork at the front and the Super Deluxe Select+ shock at the rear provide control and comfort. And all variants are available in the two new colours "cheeky brown" and "taddel green".
Starting at 1799 euros, the Rose Ground Control 1 is equipped with a Rockshox Recon Silver suspension fork, a Sram NX Eagle drivetrain and brakes from Shimano Bremsen. Rose gives the weight of the bike as 15.9 kilos. The gears and brakes on the Ground Control 3 are a mix of Shimano XT and SLX components. The top model, the Rose Ground Control 4, costs € 2999 and relies entirely on parts from Sram. These include the Level Silver brakes and the GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain. DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline wheels reduce the weight of the MTB to 14.3 kilograms.
What's new about Rose Ground Control?
- Flatter steering angle: from 67° to 65°
- Longer reach: in size L from 460 mm to 475 mm
- More suspension travel at the front: from 120 mm to 130 mm
- derailleur hanger: UDH standard
- Integrated cables through the headset
- New colours (cheeky brown/taddel green)
Facts & figures on the model variants of the new Rose Ground Control
Rose Ground Control 1
- Suspension fork: Rockshox Recon Silver RL
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock
- Tyres: Continental Xynotal Trail Endurance
- Wheels: Sunringlé Düroc 35 Comp
- Brakes: Shimano MT200
- Crankset: Truvativ Stylo 6K 32T
- Gear system: Sram RD NX Eagle 12speed, 11-50 T
- Stem: Acros with integrated cable routing
- Weight: 15.9 kg
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 1799 Euro >> available here
Rose Ground Control 2
- Suspension fork: Rockshox Pike BASE Rush RC
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock
- Tyres: Continental Xynotal Trail Endurance
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900 Spline
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Crankset: Deore FC-MT511 32T
- Shifting: Shimano SLX RD-M7100 12speed, 10-51 T
- Stem: Acros with integrated cable routing
- Weight: 15.2 kg
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 2199 Euro >> available here
Rose Ground Control 3
- Suspension fork: Rockshox Pike Select+ Charger 3 RC2
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution SuperTrail Soft/Speedgrip
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline
- Brakes: Shimano SLX
- Crankset: Deore XT FC-M8100 32 T
- Shifting: Shimano SLX RD-M7100 12speed, 10-51 T
- Stem: Acros with integrated cable routing
- Weight: 14.5 kg
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 2499 Euro >> available here
Rose Ground Control 4
- Suspension fork: Rockshox Pike Select+ Charger 3 RC2
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution SuperTrail Soft/Speedgrip
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline
- Brakes: Sram Level Silver
- Crankset: Sram GX Eagle Transmission DUB 32 T
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle AXS Transmission, 10-52 T
- Stem: Acros with integrated cable routing
- Weight: 14.3 kg
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 2999 Euro >> available here
Marc Strucken
Editor
