Rose Root Miller 3 Review
Fast and flowing, steep and stony, dust-covered or ravaged with roots, constant switchbacks, tearing along a ridge, or in the deepest, darkest jungle of trees – waterlogged or bone dry – the trails of this world are almost as limitless as the universe, and that’s exactly why we mountain bikers love them. This group test set out to determine the perfect bike for all of these challenges that any ride might encounter – and the results are in! Check out ENDURO issue #016 for the full grouptest and all results!
Having given their 2015 mountain bike collection an extensive overhaul, this year’s incarnation of Rose’s success story, the Root Miller, has very little in common with its predecessor.
The standout distinction is certainly the new location of the rear shock linkage on the seat tube rather than the top tube. This doesn’t just improve the efficiency of the rear, but also visibly reduces standover height – a fact you can’t fail to spot given the slanted dip in the top tube. And talking of things not to miss – the gray aluminium-framed Root Miller 3 boasts an incredible spec from the Bocholt-based direct-sender. Designed to set your heart racing, the DT Swiss Spline One XM 1501 wheels and the lightweight Race Face SIXC cranks are two standouts among the spec.
Known for their prowess on long rides, the 29” wheels are joined by the stock 2×10 drivetrain. Once the platform damping is adjusted, the Root Miller won’t be one to shy away from long, technical climbs – but don’t expect any KOMs or QOMs, as the extra kilo or so that it huffs around with don’t render it the most nimble climber. However, it didn’t really set out to be a climbing machine …
It’s more of a reliable and willing companion, able to take on whatever the trail throws at it.
The plush RockShox suspension – Pike fork and Monarch Plus shock – don’t disappoint, nor do the Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres. With the combination of the 449mm chainstays and the large 29” wheels, steering often demands a little more effort, but on tight and rough sections the big hoops make for a more peaceful ride.
Conclusion:
Made for venturing into the wilderness, the Rose Root Miller 3 couldn’t be a better and more faithful companion. And while you’re prepared for almost every single eventuality, you will have to sacrifice a little in terms of agility. Great spec and an even greater price make this a pretty decent overall package. With the online configurator from ROSE you can build the bike to suit your preferences.
Strengths:
- Very stable handling
- Brilliant spec
- Top value for money
Weaknesses:
- rear suspension wallows on steep climbs
- Not so playful
Spec:
- Fork: Rock Shox PIKE RCT3
- Shock: Rock Shox Monarch Plus RC3
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
- Seatpost: Rock Shox Reverb Stealth
- Stem Race Face Turbine
- Bars: Race Face Next Carbon 760 mm
- Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35
- Wheelset: DT Swiss XM 1501 Spline One
- Weight: 13,4 kg
- Price: 3.445 €
All bikes from the test: ROTWILD R.Q1 FS 27.5 | SCOTT Genius 710 | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp Carbon 29 | Cannondale Trigger Carbon 2 | Cube Stereo 140 Super HPC Race 27.5 | Giant Trance Advanced 1 | The Rose Root Miller 3
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