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review
£3,699.99
VERDICT:
Good but doesn't quite hit the mark especially at this price
Weight:
8,500g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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With an internally-cabled carbon frame, electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes De Rosa's Idol is pretty much the definition of today's road bike technology. It's a lovely bike to ride and dare I say it pretty to look at (sorry 'discs on road bikes' haters) but with an 8.5kg weight and an average wheelset for the price tag I can't help but feel it's a bike looking for a marketplace.
De Rosa reintroduced the Idol to their range for 2014 though rather than bring it back in its original guise they've embraced everything that's new in the cycling world. The line-up includes both rim and disc brakes with a range of kit at different price points. Our test model is the Ultegra Di2, Shimano BR-R785 hydraulic disc equipped option priced at £3699.
A planted ride, but a bit subdued
On paper the geometry places the Idol somewhere between a race bike and an endurance style machine. You've got 73° angles for the seat and head tubes to give quick handling and a forward race position but the near meter long wheelbase calms things down a bit.
This translates to the road as well. The feedback is of a solid, planted bike and you always know what it's up to and going to do. Rough surfaces do little to faze it and the Idol is a very mild mannered machine making it a decent choice for long days in the saddle.
The 54.5cm size we've got in on test actually has a 56cm top tube length and 15.4cm head tube. The 54.5 comes from the seat tube which De Rosa measure from BB to just above the top of top tube. Although the tube is curved I wouldn't go as far as to say that the Idol is a compact. For its size it has quite a long cockpit, again hinting at the performance riding it's intended for.
This allows you to adopt a flat back position in the drops for those efforts off the front or into a headwind. Spreading your weight across the bike makes for balanced descending and thanks to the tapered head tube and steerer the front end remains tight when you're pushing into the bends. The handling is quick enough to get you in and out of trouble and the Idol is fun to ride but it's not a challenge either.
This pretty much sums up the entire ride feel of the Idol. It's subdued, a bit lacking really. Accelerate it from cruising pace and yeah you get the speed increase but you don't really get anything back for your effort, it doesn't excite in a way a frame of this style should.
Climbing is hampered by the Shimano RX31 wheels. At 1831g, they're pretty heavy for the wheels on a bike that costs the thick end of four grand. We reviewed these at the end of last year and my opinion mirrors Dave's in that they are very good wheels but they aren't something you want on a lightweight speed machine.
It's a shame as they just take the fun level down a notch and don't let the Idol really show its full capabilities when attacking hills or accelerating.
I swapped in a set of lighter weight wheels from another test bike and the 300g drop in rolling weight did make a marked improvement to climbing and acceleration but it further highlighted the lack of excitement in the frame regardless of speed.
Faultless braking & shifting
This is my first long term test on Shimano's new BR-R785 hydraulics and they are literally amazing to use. There is a lot of talk about modulation when it comes to discs and this is the real bonus with the Shimano brakes; you can feel everything at the lever. The rear wheel does lock, only about the same as a pin sharp caliper brake but you can just feed out the power a tiny bit and it's instant. Not only is braking better in the wet it's more controllable too.
I was sceptical of Shimano's recommendation of 140mm rotors front and rear as previous cable or hydraulic/cable brakes I've ridden with 140mm rotors have lacked the power for heavy braking. I've much preferred the feel of 160mm discs.
With the BR-R785's it'd be overkill and after some hard braking efforts from 50+ mph there haven't been any symptoms of fade or boiling fluid.
The new hydraulic levers aren't group-specific but these Di2 options fit the hand well even with the hydraulic reservoir sitting at the top. In fact electronic shifting seems to work really well with hydraulic discs, you can modulate the braking while changing gear at the same time which is really noticeable on the twisty sections and allows you to set the bike up for the corner easier.
Di2 continues to get better and better in its operation and this latest Ultegra iteration has a much lighter feeling touch to the buttons and a smoother shift even under load. The rear mech barely looks any different from the mechanical version now which is better for aesthetics and the front is getting there.
It's a full Ultegra groupset which is what you'd expect for a bike of this price. The four arm chainset paired with that massive BB junction means stiffness under acceleration is phenomenal.
As always once set up it stays spot on. The Idol uses the latest internal version which means that once everything is installed you don't need to touch it again. When it comes to charging the battery everything is taken care of at the junction box under the stem, you just plug the USB cable in there.
The 50/34T chainset paired with an 11/25T cassette gives you a decent spread of gears though to make the ascents a touch easier on the knees.
Uprated frame for disc compatibility
The Idol Disc uses an upgraded frameset over the standard rim braked version to cope with the extra braking forces put through it from the discs.
It's a blend of T1000 (70%) and T800 (30%) Super High-Modulus carbon fibre with a lot of emphasis around the chainstays and fork legs. Using these materials and lay up De Rosa say that they've created a stiff frame that is also comfortable out on the road.
The frame shape is a common theme that we see on this style of bike. Starting with a tapered headset you get a large diameter (well it's more of a triangular profile but you get the gist) oversized downtube for tight steering and a stiff front end.
The bottom bracket uses the Pressfit BB386 standard with its size dictating the huge BB junction which practically matches the 34-tooth chainring in diameter. It certainly gets the power down in conjunction with the oversized box section chainstays. These remain narrow before kicking out at near the dropouts for extra heel clearance due to the 135mm disc hub spacing.
The upper half of the frame, top tube, seat tube and seatstays all take on a much more swooping, slender approach to absorb as much road buzz as possible from the frame, promoting much more comfort in real terms than any lay up or material choice.
The disc fork doesn't suffer from any braking force issues at all and it's very stiff in all directions. The tapered 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in diameter steerer is carbon, keeping the weight down. You get internal disc hose routing which keeps things tidy and the dropouts are for a standard 9mm quick release, as are the rear dropouts.
All the cabling on the frame is internal too using blanking plates and differing inserts depending on whether you are running electrical or mechanical shifting. It gives a tidy look to the frame and the entries on the left hand side of the down tube are staggered to avoid tight angles.
Sensible kit without being flash
The handlebars and stem are both 3T's Ergosum Pro, mid-range alloy components that marry good looks with stiffness and plenty of position options. It's a stiff set up but not over the top and works well with the frame.
The seatpost is from FSA. It would have been nice to see a 3T one to complete theme but the carbon SLK fitted does the job and is easy to adjust. I've used loads of FSA posts over the years and they always remain durable.
On top of this is a Prologo Keppa ti 2.0 saddle. Harsh would be a polite word for it I reckon. It's not uncomfortable but it's borderline. Should you be putting the miles in it would pay to invest in some decent shorts.
As I mentioned earlier the Shimano RX31 wheels are heavyweights for a bike of this cost and class. Acceleration and climbing are both blunted but on the plus side they are pretty much bombproof. These have remained true throughout the test period, they've seen some rain and salt too without any ill effects to the hub or bearings.
The Continental Grand Sport tyres roll pretty well in this 25mm guise but again could do with upgrading to make the most of the frame. Grip is good though and they've resisted punctures and cuts. You can squeeze 28mm tyres into the frame but it's tight and doesn't leave much room for foreign objects.
Conclusion
The De Rosa Idol is a nice bike. The frame looks good with all the swoopy profiles and it certainly delivers on the stiffness front while being relatively comfortable. It handles well too, nothing special but it holds a line and you get plenty of feedback through your contact points.
The frameset is £2399.99 on its own which is a massive chunk of money so it's easy to see why the budget wheels have been specced and this leads me to my biggest issue with the Idol Disc.
What is it trying to be? You can't race it, not yet anyway, because of the discs but even if you could it's way too heavy in this guise. You could spend more on lightweight wheels but then you're looking at least at a £4k build price for a bike that will struggle to compete with something half its price.
Sportive riding? Yeah okay you don't need the acceleration but the added weight of those wheels comes into play again: sportives tend to be hilly.
It's like De Rosa have taken a standard rim-braked Idol and added discs just because everyone else has. That's increased the weight and price while giving you lower spec heavy wheels but the ride and handling just doesn't have the sparkle, the wow factor that I expect from a bike at this price to justify the outlay.
Verdict
Good but doesn't quite hit the mark especially at this price
road.cc test report
Make and model: De Rosa Idol Disc
Size tested: 54
About the bike
State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.
Frame: Super Hi-modulus carbon, disc specific
Fork: Super Hi-modulus carbon, disc specific
Steerer: Tapered 1 1/8 - 1 1/4
Wheelset: Shimano RX31
Brake Levers/Gear Shifters: Shimano Hydraulic Di2
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Brake Calipers: Shimano BR-R785 Hydraulic Discs
Chainset: Shimano Ultegra with Token Pressfit BB
Chain: Shimano Ultegra 11 speed
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 11 speed (11x25)
Handlebars: 3T Ergosum Pro
Stem: 3T Ergosum Pro
Seat Post: FSA SLK
Saddle: Prologo Keppa ti 2.0
Tyres: Continental Grand Sport
Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?
Looking at the geometry charts the Idol is a fast endurance style frame with sporting aspirations but with an extended wheelbase and head tube to give a stable, slightly more upright ride. It delivers on the stability but is found lacking on the 'sporting'.
Frame and fork
Overall rating for frame and fork
8/10
Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?
The overall quality looks good although the naked raw carbon finish isn't to everyone's taste. The clean look of the internal cabling makes for a stylish uncluttered looking frame.
Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?
A mix of T800 and T1000 high modulus carbon used in various layups and orientations to provide the ride quality, stiffness and resistance to those disc braking forces.
Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?
For a 54cm frame it has a long top tube of 56cm which does lead to quite a stretched out position. Steep angles give tight handling.
How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?
Height is pretty standard although the reach is a bit of a stretch, geo charts are here: www.derosanews.com/english/DEROSA30_Idol_Grey_Disk.html
Riding the bike
Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.
For such a stiff frame the Idol is comfortable, not what you'd call an armchair ride but fine for a few hours in the saddle.
Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?
Stiffness at the key points, head tube, fork and BB area all show little in the way of flex.
How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?
Power transfer was good through the frame. The wheels take the edge of though
Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?
Yes, a small amount.
How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Neutral, missing a bit of sparkle.
Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?
The handling is fine, very easy to live with and you get decent levels of feedback. The whole ride just feels a little muted though.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?
The saddle is quite harsh so I would change that to something a little more plush.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?
The alloy 3T bars and stem are very stiff without being uncomfortable.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?
Change the wheels for something lighter to give the Idol a bit of a boost.
Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
9/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
7/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
7/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
8/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
8/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
8/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
8/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
7/10
The drivetrain
Rate the drivetrain for performance:
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
8/10
Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?
Ultegra Di2 is a beautiful groupset that is ever improving. The levers work so well with the hydraulic setup with regards to hand position and Shimano's 11 speed cassettes give a great range of gears.
Wheels and tyres
Rate the wheels and tyres for performance:
7/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for durability:
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for weight:
7/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for comfort:
7/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for value:
8/10
Tell us some more about the wheels and tyres.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels or tyres? If so, what for?
Good wheels and tyres but so under-specced for a bike of this price.
Controls
Rate the controls for performance:
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
8/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
8/10
Rate the controls for value:
8/10
Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?
3T stuff is decent quality and looks good too. The bars were comfortable with their shallow drop working for riders with smaller hands.
Your summary
Did you enjoy riding the bike? I could take it or leave it.
Would you consider buying the bike? No.
Would you recommend the bike to a friend? No.
Rate the bike overall for performance:
7/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
6/10
Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?
The Idol just feels like it's lacking something to me, there is no real excitement. It doesn't do anything badly, it's a competent bike but at this price it's found wanting in almost every aspect.
About the tester
Age: 36 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: Kinesis T2 My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.
With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.
He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.
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39 comments
Yep - we've got one of those on demo with a Record build too
LOL Absolutely awesome bike. It comes with a warning sticker saying refuses to be ridden slowly 
shame - sounds like the UK importer could of kitted the bike out with better wheels. I Ride - take note!
Hi Jetblack, I'm Paul from Bike Swanky and I hear you
We sell and lease a lot of these bikes to our Members. They seem very popular.
The wheels are a definite area for improvement. They're heavy compared to other wheelset options. There is a good explanation why they've been specd by i-ride.
The first reason is that, as you know, i-ride import and distribute DeRosa frames in the UK. Please note that, frames. They don't bring in complete bikes. DeRosa is a frame manufacturer.
Therefore, they need to spec bikes they import themselves. You'd think that that would give them a degree of flexibility. However, they also distribute Fulcrum in the UK. Fulcrum were supposed to have launched their disc specific wheelset last year, but didn't. I-Ride are limited in their choice of other brands to select as they can't really offer wheels that compete with Fulcrum on the bikes they spec. They do distribute Token and 3T as well, but they're a lot more expensive and not OEM which brings me onto my next point:
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). I-ride have to be able to spec the bikes they distribute at a price that keeps them competitive. So they use OEM parts. When they're looking at parts to spec at OEM they have a limited parts bin to choose from. Whilst drivetrain components are available across the range from Sora to DuraAce etc, wheelsets are not. Also, remember that these are disc equipped bikes, so different levers etc are required. OEM parts have price points dependent upon the volume a company buys in. There is only 1 disc model that I-Ride bring in at the moment so the OEM prices will not be great.
Furthermore, DeRosa, Argon 18, and Orro, are niche brands. This obviously means that volumes are a lot lower than the mainstream brands, so the OEM prices for other components that I-Ride get are not as keen as say someone like Cannondale, or Giant can negotiate.
So I-Ride are having to balance a comptitive price point, with drivetrain spec options that customers demand, with finishing kits that "fit" with the marque of the brand. Which means that there has to be a compromise somewhere, and in this case it is the wheels.
Whilst these wheels are somewhat heavy compared to more expensive alternatives, they are still very good at what they were designed for. They are CX wheels. When the Idol disc was released there were very very few road disc wheels available to choose from at any price point. Quite a few manufacturers specd rebadged MTB wheels. I-Ride chose to go with CX wheels as the best compromise.
The Shimano RX31s are absolutely bomb proof. They're more than up to the job of handling the forces of the disc brakes and they cope with the motherload of potholes we're all regularly experiencing on our regular road rides.
They give the bike an added degree of flexibility for commuting as well as sportives. If you want to go faster, then there are definitely lighter wheels available. But if they were specd on the bike at the outset, I imagine that it would be closer to a £4k bike.
Finally, it's worth taking a peak at the reviewer's profile. Price point is a significant driver for him. I agree that there are less expensive options, but frankly, they are not DeRosas. Even with the RX31s fitted, the bike remains an object of utter gorgeousness:) Naturally, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'm pretty sure that most people don't think it's in the eye of their bank manager.
If anyone would like to have a demo ride on an Idol disc or an Idol calliper get in touch with us on 020 8133 6432 or click on this link:
https://bikeswanky.co.uk/bike/demo-derosa-idol-disc-ultegra-11-grey
We can arrange them nationwide as we run an extensive demo fleet of our own bikes for you to try.
I'm not quite sure how you've come to this conclusion, the fact that I ride an Aithien perhaps? If that's the reason, I bought that particular bike because I consider it as the best frame in its class and considering in its current build it would have a rrp around/higher than that of the Idol I wouldn't say price point is the defining factor, a relative 'value for money', yes.
I guess this statement sums up why you do your job and I do mine.
I couldn't care less what badge is on the down tube, if the bike doesn't deliver what I'd expect it to for it's given price point and intended use then I will review it accordingly.
The wheels are an issue but as you'll see from the review they aren't the be all and end all. Using the Hunt 4Season wheels which are a good 350g lighter improved acceleration and climbing but still couldn't make up for what I consider a frame that is lacking in passion and excitement compared to others I've ridden either at this price point, cheaper or more expensive.
Hi Stu,
First of all, thank you for doing the review. I know it can be a somewhat thankless task. I recognise that "everyone is a critic" and I can imagine how difficult it must be to give a balanced review on any bike without someone challenging it.
Since you are riding a Kinesis Aithein I guess that means that you are sub 14 stone. The Idol doesn't have any rider weight limits.
I've no idea how tall you are but judging from the photos in your profile I'd hazard a guess that you are a very fit and capable rider.
Your comments above also indicate that you've compared the Idol to your own bike, which is only natural. It's great that you ride a British brand BTW
Comparing the geos, it's surprising how different bikes with very similar geos behave and perform. However, the reality is that they do.
The Aithein is a seriously rigid and fast frame, and yes, it certainly exels in it's class. Meanwhile, the Idol is a comfortable and fast frame. The carbon lay up on the Idol allows this blend. 6000 Series Alu just won't have the same properties, especially with the tubing profiles used on the Aithein. If you love the Aithein then I am not in the least surprised that you didn't like the Idol.
As for value, £650 vs £2,500? That's got to be a difficult pill to swallow too
However, material costs, time of manufacture, manufacturing skills, etc etc will all contribute to the price difference.
By the way, we do some work with race teams and Idols are not bikes we recommend to them. The SuperKing or King XS would be a more accurate comparison IMHO, although clearly not on price
The Idol remains an aspirational bike, and it will help improve an amateur racer's times and performance (with wheel upgrades). The stock bike is better suited to riders that like going on long rides or competitive sportives. It's the engine inside that'll determine what speed they average. The bike will help them remain "spritely" for handling the "ardours" of family life when they get back, instead of complaining of painful lower backs or sore necks 
Everyone agrees that some better wheels would help it accelerate better. So maybe it just didn't meet your particular and personal requirements from a bike.
Everyone is different and everyone rides differently. The reason I've posted so much on here is that you are in a very powerful position as a reviewer and I believe that you've not given due credit to the bike itself for what it is and what it is intended for. It is your opinion and I respect that. I also have an opinion based upon someone less fit than yourself, somewhat heavier, but still an enthusiast of the sport.
Quite the contrary actually. A perk of my job is that I get the opportunity to ride a wide variety of bikes (we run a huge demo fleet). It helps us to get a thorough understanding of the bikes, so that we can give clear and impartial advice to our Members. I've been on club rides with bikes our £700 Roux bikes to £5000+ Argon 18s. They all give me great pleasure and they're pretty damned good. They all do their job very well indeed. At around the £2k-£3k mark it is very difficult indeed to find a "bad" bike nowadays. Different criteria come into effect that are maybe more ethereal. It's a shame that the DeRosa did not "float your boat" so to speak, but it does for me and most other people that ride it.
Furthermore, I wasn't making a point about the badge on the bike. We sell and lease over 50 brands of bike. DeRosa often stand out as being a brand that conveys real artistry and flair in their frame designs. We've not found that this negates the function of their frames at all, but actually enhances it. The simple fact is that you pay for this. With other mainstream brands it does sometimes seem that the art goes as far as paintwork, or flair is at the expense of function. But hey, that's just my opinion.
Passion and excitement? Really? I tend to find that comes from within.
What would be really useful as a comparison would be to be able to compare like with like. Did you take the bike on the same route you've taken others on using Strava? It could give a more objective comparator to use?
I can assure you that the many Members who have Idol discs from us feel very passionate and excited when they ride their bikes
Their smiles say it all really.
seriously, what does that even mean? you think it's pretty, so it's worth the £3.7k price tag just because of that? the fact that the less expensive options are 'not de rosas' is neither here nor there. and another disc road bike that costs exactly the same amount of money has just got a 9/10 from the same reviewer on this website.
i can't imagine what possible reason you could have for talking this bike up in the comments, i mean it's not like you're actively involved in selling them or anything. what? oh.
Hi Barry
If you mean this review: http://road.cc/content/review/149005-mason-definition-road-bike then I have 2 words for you:
"Dom" "Mason".
Dom is a frame design wizard and is extremely highly regarded. Snr DeRosa designed frames for Eddy Merckx and is also well regarded
Oh, and Dom also designed the Aithein, Stu's bike of choice. A little bit of hero worship is slightly inevitable
It takes one to know one, I think Dom's prodcuts are fantastic as well.
Oh and BTW, check this out: http://www.bianchibikes.co.uk/bianchi_infinito_cv_disc_ultegra_di2
Price £5,600. Same rims I believe
Value is all relative
so what's your point? again? you think dom's bikes are fantastic, but because stu has bought one of these fantastic bikes, he's now bent? should he buy a bike that isn't fantastic? you're not really making much sense.
You'll have to convince me that the snr de rosa who made merckx's bikes had anything to do with the technical aspects of this one, because i'm pretty far from convinced of that at the moment.
value isn't relative, it's absolute. a bike is either good value, or it isn't. if that £5.6k bianchi rides like the absolute best bike in the whole wide world, it might be good value even though it's very dear. the de rosa doesn't quite, in stu's (bent) opinion, so the value equation doesn't stack up so good.
mostly i'm waiting for the review of this: http://road.cc/content/news/149354-just-rose-xeon-cdx-4400
less than two grand for hydraulic discs on a bike that weighs a full kilo less than the de rosa? if it's a goodun, then *that's* what i'd call value.
Hey Barry. Thanks for that. QED
If you're determined to mismatch what I'm saying and put words into my mouth which I'm clearly not communicating at all, then there's very little point continuing the convo with your good self
P.S. Stu, are you able to clarify whether the bike was weighed with or without pedals.
Here's the DeRosa story for everyone: http://www.derosanews.com/english/S1_Story_Company.html
Here's Rose's story: http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/content/about-rose/history
I'll let everyone draw their own conclusions
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