Rose Backroad FF "Classified 2x12" in the long-term review

It's almost ironic: Of all things, gravel roads lead me back into the world of cycling. I used to be part of the MTB racing circuit, competing in Austrian championships in marathon and cross-country, and spending countless hours on sweat-soaked (single) trails. Forest roads? More of a necessary evil than a favorite playground.

Today, much older but no less in love with cycling, riding a bike is primarily one thing: balance. After a day in the motorcycle industry, pedaling becomes meditation. The Specialized Kenevo for rough and technical rides, the Canyon Ultimate for smooth and fast ones – in between, there was silence.

Until the Rose Backroad FF appeared. My first gravel bike. My first time with a Classified hub gear system. And: a real surprise. Suddenly, a gap is filled that I had never consciously noticed. The bike combines road bike speed with mountain bike tolerance and opens up routes that, despite decades of local knowledge, I had never ridden this way before.

Especially in the Alpine foothills, with its countless gravel and side roads, this concept fits like a glove. Where the Canyon fails and the Kenevo feels overkill, the Backroad shines with versatility. Asphalt, forest paths, farm roads – everything flows seamlessly. No more constant back and forth between full-suspension and road bike – the Backroad simply handles both.

Of course, not everything is sunshine and roses. Those who opt for the Classified system commit themselves to this technology to a certain extent. The G42 carbon wheels also come from Classified, look solid, have easily absorbed all peak loads on root sections, and are perfectly tuned to the system. However, those who like to juggle their wheelsets flexibly will face some limitations here.

Spare parts supply will probably not be quite as straightforward as with a standard derailleur, which many bike workshops keep in stock – fortunately, I didn’t have to gather any experience in this regard.

Then there’s the additional cost: The Classified version (5,699 Euros) costs about 900 Euros more than the classic GRX825 variant of the Backroad FF. That’s not insignificant, and whether the noiselessness and ergonomic elegance are worth this amount is something everyone has to decide for themselves.

Another major advantage of the Powershift hub is its low maintenance. The internal components are fully encapsulated, making them well-protected from dirt and moisture. According to the manufacturer, the hub is maintenance-free – only the wheel bearings are subject to normal wear and can be replaced if necessary.

This significantly reduces maintenance effort and increases the reliability of the drivetrain, especially in adverse weather conditions. The total weight of my test bike, at a quite acceptable 8.7 kilos, is perfectly fine for me considering the innovative, worry-free Classified technology.

The only small downside: The cassette produced by Classified requires a bit more fine-tuning during setup compared to an original Shimano cassette. On the positive side: Classified has already made improvements and now offers a revised version that is said to function noticeably smoother during riding.

For me personally, the conclusion after a season with the Backroad FF Classified is consistently positive. Rose's gravel rocket not only brought me joy technically but actually brought me closer to regular cycling again.

The innovative hub means less distraction, less adjustment work, less cleaning effort, and simply more "flow" for me. The Classified system is a genuine gain in simplicity that you only come to appreciate once you've experienced it.

Because my focus is on the time in the saddle - I don't want to excessively tune the Rose or unnecessarily spend time on cleaning and maintenance. My expectation is simple: A functional, efficient, robust, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing training device that is always ready and fun to use. And the Rose Backroad FF Classified fulfills exactly this mission.

Because even beyond the drivetrain, the gravel bike impresses across the board. With tire clearance up to 45 millimeters, it is well-equipped for rough gravel sections as well as fast asphalt stretches. The geometry is distinctly sporty, almost akin to a road bike, without tipping into nervousness.

You can feel that this bike was not designed as a leisurely tourer but as a true race gravel bike – and yet it remains comfortable enough for long distances. Numb fingers and back pain, as I often experience on my road bike, have never occurred on the Rose so far.

The real magic for me lies in the riding itself. On a route that I would have avoided with my road bike in the past, because a gravel section in the middle would have disrupted the rhythm, I was able to simply ride on this year. No interruptions, no detours, no limitations.

With the Backroad FF Classified, the possibilities expand exponentially. The bike opens up new routes, new combinations, new horizons – and that's exactly what makes gravel riding so appealing to me.

The Rose Backroad FF with Classified 2x12 drivetrain as its centerpiece is a statement that technology can enhance the riding experience without falling into unnecessary frills. The drawbacks – higher costs, system dependency, limited compatibility – are real, but considering the components' reliability and my user profile of "riding instead of wrenching," they are secondary.

After years between mountain biking and road cycling, I have now found the perfect link. A bike that reminds me why I started this hobby: the freedom to discover new paths.