Back Issue | Rose Uncle Jimbo 3 2015 Review
ROSE Bikes – for a long time many customers saw the mail order bike company in Bocholt as a firm which made solid, reliable bikes with a first-class price/performance ratio and good service including personalized bike configuration. But nothing more. Emotionally and aesthetically the bikes were never able to excite many passionate mountain bikers.
That is about to change, however. Since last year Max Sistenich and Christoph Krüppel have been designing new bikes with a geometry, rear triangle and design which clearly speak their own language. The result is a variety of trail bike models which can hold their heads up high: five different bikes which are based on a four-pivot design and look very impressive.
Of course, we chose the highlight of the bunch, the new Uncle Jimbo 3, and put it through its paces. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to ride the Specialized-SRAM Enduro Series race in Kirchberg the last two years, but I knew: this race is fun with a capital F. The stages can last as long as ten minutes and contain berms, jumps, vicious root sections, off-camber sections and wooden obstacles; in other words: everything the heart could desire!
The benchmark details of the Uncle Jimbo are similar: a solid, hydroformed aluminum frame with 160mm travel and 27.5” wheels form the basis. Combined with a flat and well-conceived geometry it is designed to skillfully balance uphill and downhill qualities. The spec and price have not yet been confirmed so we won’t go into this now. One thing we do know: the prices of the various models will be in the same league as the current versions, i.e. from 1,699€ for the basic version up to 3,799€ for the top model.
Back to the trail: Due to the compact, central position on the bike (reach = 440mm for size L), confidence comes quickly and you soon feel the need for speed. The perfect balance you feel on the bike encourages this; everything harmonizes well on the ROSE. The Uncle Jimbo achieves the difficult balancing act between nimble agility and optimal stability extremely well. The 431mm chainstays and the 1181mm wheelbase contribute to this. Steering movements are transferred precisely and the 66° head angle never seems too flat, even in slower, tight sections. In high speed sections the long wheelbase, flat head angle and plush suspension come into effect. The ROSE positively bristles with confidence and holds its line securely.
The RockShox Monarch Plus at the back of the ROSE worked just the way we wanted. The 160mm of rear end travel feels plush and eager to absorb the bumps, providing exemplary traction. Despite this the suspension is very defined and doesn’t dive in berms or jumps. Thanks to the good progression at the end of the travel, it doesn’t bottom out at all.
However, the ROSE was not only impressive going downhill. Going up, the Uncle Jimbo doesn’t exactly climb like a rocket, but it does it pretty well thanks to its 75° seat tube angle, an ergonomic pedaling position and bob-free rear suspension. Those who want a (sensible) light build can easily get under the 13.00 kg mark with lighter wheels and fork.
Conclusion:
with the new Uncle Jimbo ROSE has taken a significant step towards the future; it is a model which captures the essence of modern biking. Its well-conceived geometry, modern looks and first-class performance make it a serious competitor on the racing circuit and mean it will find a place on many bikers’ wish list. The (presumed) very good price and the option to configure the bike individually online are additional plus points.
Price: approx. 3,800€ (TBC) | Weight: approx. 13.6 kg | Travel: 160mm/160mm
Geometry
Size: Large | Top Tube Horizontal: 600 mm | Seat Tube Angle: 75° | Chainstay Length: 431 mm | Head Tube Angle: 66° | Wheelbase: 1.181 mm | Reach: 440 mm | Stack: 599 mm
Specifications
The test bike was a prototype without a definitive final spec. In the ROSE configurator the specifications of the bike can be adapted to the rider’s specific individual wishes.
More info: www.roseversand.de/bike/rose-uncle-jimbo
Details:
Internally routed cables create a clean appearance – we like! On the test bike the cables rattled a little, but ROSE claims this will not be the case with the production bikes.
1×11 is enduro! ROSE combines the E.13 TRS Race cranks with SRAM’s X01 shifting.
Conspicuously inconspicuous! This cockpit provides everything required: wide Race Face Atlas bars, super comfy Ergon grips and SRAM Guide brakes which also hold the shifter lever and the remote lever for the RockShox Reverb Stealth using Matchmaker.
The internally routed cables come out of the main frame very near the bottom bracket area where they are well protected.