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Help me pick a Rose

by Fishy
Fri, Mar 13, 2015 21:01
13

Simple flower choice here (I think).

I've narrowed down my bike choices to either the Rose Xeon RS 4400 or the Rose Xeon Team GF 4400. Both are SRAM Force 22 builds - albeit the GF is a hydraulic rim brake instead of cables. The GF is approximately £100 more expensive owing I'd expect primarily to the hydraulics.

Both are ridiculous bargains (all things relative...), and possibly even cheaper if Rose lets you pay in Euros (which it looks like it does).

For those of you that are not familiar with Rose, the RS is the race geometry, whilst the GF stands for "Gran Fondo" - i.e. sportive / endurance.

In terms of my previous background, I've been riding a Ribble 7005 Winter / Audax with SRAM Apex for three years and before that a Bianchi Via Nirone. I remember thinking that the Ribble felt a lot more low slung and racy than the Bianchi when I initially swapped (and liking this aspect), but obviously it's all I know now 3 years on.

My riding for this will realistically be Sundays, Sportives and hopefully a summer mission this year to tackle the alps. I'd like to try racing but no experience. The Ribble will still be getting most of the miles as a commuter and winter trainer (which is arguably exactly what it's meant for)

Realistically I know that I should go for the GF over the RS, but I'm put off by:
- Pride - I'm 26 and happy with a Ribble 7005 which is about as old school as it gets - surely I don't need to worry about "endurance" geometry when I'm happy today on a Ribble
- Vague racing aspirations - it's unlikely, but perhaps I'd like to give it a go. The RS is race-ready, the GF will be at a disadvantage
- Looks - bit of a muchness as I like the GF's hidden rear caliper, but I prefer the paint job and frame style on the RS

Anyone that's ridden both or in a similar position with different brands?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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13 comments

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Fishy | 9 years ago
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Righto, so the Xeon RS has been in my possession for about a month now, so a couple of comments (and two photos).

1) - it's very light, stupidly so
2) - The finish is perfectly put together, the paint job is high quality and as you'd expect, no expense spared on the finishing kit
3) - Comfort wise, it's comfier than my Ribble 7005, and I've no qualms about taking it on a long distance sportive.
4) - Brakes are confidence inspiring, a notable improvement on SRAM Apex, despite the same pad
5) - Force 22 is nice, not convinced it's as refined as Shimano 105 / Ultegra, but I prefer the lever action and brake feel.
6) - Geometry appears to be identical to the Bianchi Via Nirone

However, in my opinion it's the wheels that make it. I'm being forced to use it for commuting and so swap to a set of Mavic Aksiums and the difference is phenomenal in terms of weight and "stiffness" lost - the Kyrsiums are far superior, but then they do cost 4X as much.

Bad points? - I'm not a massive fan of the spec'd tyre set from Mavic, they feel a little bit thin. Secondly, whilst the Mavic set is 700x25, there's insufficient clearance for 700x25 from Michelin Service Course Pro 4. That's a Michelin fault really for not being a proper 25 (it's closer to 27...) but a little irritating, as the 700x25 is noticeably more comfortable than the 23.

Main tip for anyone buying one? - spec 700x25 tyres - looks better, handles better and noticeably smoother.

Avatar
pants | 9 years ago
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Got my Xeon RS2000 yesterday, it is neatly packed and takes about 10mins to get up and you are good to go. Like someone above said, it is light, ecspeically for the price.

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Izaak30 | 9 years ago
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I don't like this thread! But only because I'm jealous and can't justify a new bike! Would dearly love to have a Rose for the reasons others have said..

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barkingfishes | 9 years ago
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I took delivery of a new RS 3000. It is sooo light - 7kg with Shimano Ultegra everywhere and at a price that is at least £500 cheaper than anything else on the market at that weight or with the same spec.
I ordered in UK £ and delivered to UK - comes in a massive box by the way - be at home when it arrives cos it won't fit in may cars easily for a post office pickup.
I've only ridden it a couple of times but is very fast. Acceleration away from traffic lights is as fast as cars (stop-start tech slows them down) often faster.
Why there isn't more Rose bikes on the road is beyond me. Great price for great spec'd bikes.

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Comrade | 9 years ago
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I have bought other items off rose, but not a bike. They did send me a detailed catalog, that had loads of assemblies and individual parts in (ie chain ring, chain ring bolts). So you can get smaller items too.

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smj | 9 years ago
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If you select payment in Euros, then at the final checkout stage it will change back to the GBP price, if you have a UK delivery address. Not sure there is a way around it.

The current EUR/GBP rate is about 1.4 and Rose have their pricing set to about 1.3. But that is much better than Canyon, where they are using 1.15.

I'm considering a Rose Xlite-Team 3100 Di2 or a Canyon CF SLX 8.0 Di2. The Canyon is about £500 cheaper in Euros, but you have to pay in GBP if getting it delivered to the UK. Or you can pick it up from Koblenz yourself and pay in Euros.

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Haggisbasher | 9 years ago
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I bought a Rose in 2012, as said previously loads of kit for your money, with wheels being a steal. I could not buy it with PayPal, and had to do some strange workings with bank card to get to go through. The price you pay, if I remember correctly gets changed into euros and changed weekly to reflect currency.

Bike arrived in pristine condition. Good points, great value, bad points, trying to get replacement technical parts, headsets,hangers etc, as they are not listed on site.

I can also say the clothing is good also

Avatar
Fishy | 9 years ago
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RE: The Euro thing.

It looks like you can select either on the top down menu - it's still a UK flag, but with the Euro symbol so I'm guessing it's legit.

The main pitfall (assuming you can check out) is the impact of any conversion fees on your credit card which might negate the conventional exchange rate saving. Similarly the exchange rate offered by your card might not be as good as the real rate etc.

I think I'll go for the RS over the GF - but I am tempted by the direct mount calliper on the rear and the novelty value of hydraulics...

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bendip | 9 years ago
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Does anyone know the way (ie..has anyone bought a bike from Rose, payed in euros and had it shipped to the uk) to pay Rose in euros for a bike being bought from and shipped to the uk ? and are there caveats if you do..?

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sergius | 9 years ago
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I've got a Xeon CDX 3100 Di2 om order at the moment, though there is a 13 week delay on the frame and the brake levers - so it won't turn up until June 2

It's a new bike for 2015 so reviews are scarce - though the small articles I've found in German have been universally positive. You get a hell of a lot of bike for your money though...

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Houxty1 replied to sergius | 9 years ago
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I have an Xeon CDX 3100 Di2 on order, delivery in 11 weeks and every single second is killing me. For the money, the spec is just bonkers, can't wait:-)

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pants | 9 years ago
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I have ordered a Xeon RS2000 and it should be here in a few days, i've only ever ridden metal bikes but i will come back and report anyway.

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Oolon Colluphid | 9 years ago
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All I can help you with is the fact that last autumn I bought an RS3500, which is basically the same thing as the 4400 except with a Campag groupset and wheels.

I've got it as a training and summer commuting bike - but I like it so much I suspect it will see race duty this year instead of using my carbon Merckx all the time.

The frame is absolutely beautiful. What attracted it to me was the smoothed welds and the pencil-thin seat stays - it really is lovely. In comparison to my carbon race bike it is 'zingier' for sure - transmits road vibrations more. But over the longest distance I've done on it so far - 80 miles - it's not left me feeling like I've been through a spin cycle like some alloy bikes I've ridden.

It is also quite absurdly light, especially for the price. We have some accurate big scales at work and I can confirm the claimed 7kg is correct.

If you're looking for a potential first race bike, you are right on the money. And as you say, comparatively speaking it is a steal.

Two of my colleagues (going racing for the first time this year) have plumped for a Rose after trying mine.

My winter bike is also a 7005 Ribble. When you get on a Rose after riding that, the difference is astounding. Get one, you won't regret it 1

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