ENDURO Long Term Test 2015 | First Look: ROSE UNCLE JIMBO
Four long weeks have passed by since making the order and finally the waiting has come to an end: exactly two weeks before my first race a personally race customised UNCLE JIMBO is ready to collect in the Munich ROSE BIKETOWN. Plenty of time to get used to the new wheels, make last minute adjustments and show it off here!
I was already completely impressed by the ROSE UNCLE JIMBO and the ROSE bike configuration system which lets you spec and build a dream custom bike when I tested them. So I’m even happier to have this model available as a long-term bike to accompany me for the whole season.
€ 3.210 – that is exactly the amount that our readers plan to spend on their next bike and also the amount that I was allowed to spend.
So without further ado I started working on my dream bike using the configurator!
The foundations for my bike was the UNCLE JIMBO 2 in size L for € 2.399.
The aluminium frame has been completely re-engineered for 2015 and features 165mm travel, a well executed design, a nice finish, internal cables and modern looks. The geometry is promising: long and slack. With an effective top tube length of 440 mm and a 66° head angle these two key words really fit the UNCLE JIMBO. I choose a large frame as I place a high value on smooth and stable handling.
The list of changes is however pretty long: my race bike gets a 35mm long KORE stem and 785 mm Race Face SIXC bars for greater control. The brakes were replaced with the nicely modulating SRAM Guide RSC. The drivetrain duties are undertaken by a SRAM X01 groupset with the aluminium cranks with an additional E*Thirteen chainguide fitted for peace of mind. An 11 speed SRAM transmission is simply a must-have for me thanks to the wide range of gears and the rapid shifting. Because this change required an XD- freehub body a different wheelset was necessary. I choose the DT Swiss E1700 Spline which makes a pretty solid impression. Whether it is proved in real use will be revealed during the racing season. All of these changes were easy to make using the ROSE website configuration software. At the end the sum of € 3.172,95 stood on the screen – budget almost completely used up! But the spec makes any other upgrades superfluous.
A further change might be necessary as the Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres already have small tears in the side knobs after a few rides. Unfortunately there are no bottle cage mounting holes on the frame. I prefer not to wear a backpack on short evening rides so I fitted a bottle cage with zip ties. There’s enough space for a small 550ml bottle.
Whether my construction survives a whole season or not waits till be seen. A small watch on the bars should help prevent me missing race start times and a new tubeless set-up should help make sure I get to finish them too. After a few kilometers on the bike I’ve also swapped the saddle for an
Ergon SM30 Evo model which I’ve had good experience with before. The complete bike ready to ride (with Shimano DX pedals) weighs 13.7 kg in this trim.
My focus this season is clearly on racing: I want to compete in a range of events, have fun and get better results than in 2014. I’ve chosen 16 events from the Megavalanche to the European Championships in Kirchberg. With 4.800 metres climbing and 105 km in one day the SHIMANO EPIC ENDURO is probably the biggest challenge and is right at the start of the season. I’m also looking forward to bike park trips, adventure rides with friends and the rest of the ENDURO-Team – and above all to good times with the ROSE.
Born: 1994 | Riding since: 2012 | Height: 183 cm | Weight: 76 kg | Job: Student
Words: Daniel Schlicke | Photos: Klaus Kneist
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