ENDURO long-term test 2015 | Review: Rose Uncle Jimbo 2

After four months of slinging up dust on the Rose Uncle Jimbo 2, it’s time to for an interim report from long-term tester Daniel. Did he choose the right parts for this trail whip? After all, with the Rose online configurator, he had free reign when it came to the build of this bike.

3.210 € waren das Budget für das von uns getestete Rose Uncle Jimbo. — 3,210 € was the budget for the Rose Uncle Jimbo, whose parts you can choose yourself.

While this season is all about out-and-out racing, there’s no knife at my throat for podium positions – it’s just that races present the best way to spend time with people who I’d rarely see otherwise. However, I am hoping that my results might be significantly better than last year’s performance. That being the case, I was after a race-ready trail rocket that matched the budget that our readers defined as the average spend for their next bike.

The spec

As I had already had opportunity to test the Uncle Jimbo, it was a fairly straightforward decision to go for the mid-range spec of the Rose, which I then tuned to my tastes with a few upgrades. The budget was maxxed as I went for stable DT Swiss Spline 1700 wheelset, powerful SRAM Guide RSC brakes, a lightweight Race Face cockpit with SIXC carbon bars, and a SRAM X01 drivetrain that I wouldn’t forsake.

Any further alterations to the spec haven’t really proven necessary due to the initial well-considered configuration.

Einfach ein Muss an einem Racebike: Ein 1x11-Antrieb aus dem Hause SRAM. — A must-have on any race bike: the 1×11 drivetrain from SRAM.

After the first big ride, I swapped the Rose VL Lite saddle for an Ergon SM30, as its form suits me more.
Moreover, since the side lugs of the Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres were pretty much half destroyed after just two visits to a bike park, so I duly exchanged them for a combination of a Maxxis Highroller II and Ardent. Tubeless of course!

Mit ihrer guten Dosierbarkeit überzeugten die SRAM Guide RSC-Bremsen unseren Tester Daniel. — Test rider Daniel has been left convinced by the modulation of the SRAM Guide RSC brakes.

The rest of the alterations are merely small gadgets that I’ve put on the bike – meaning I can avoid having to carry a backpack in races or on post-work rides. Naturally, the first essential is to have a bottle cage, but as the Rose unfortunately doesn’t have the required mounts I’ve been forced to improvise. My contraption of zip ties has held up thus far despite crashes and a constant battering from stones and dirt. Next to the watch on the bars, there’s a chain-link hidden under the AheadCap. And, of course, a puncture repair kit is a must-have. Spare tube and CO2 canister have been taped into between the top tube and the down tube.

Ersatzschlauch und CO2-Kartusche sind direkt im Hauptrahmen befestigt und so immer mit auf Tour. — Spare tube and CO2 canister are taped onto the frame so Daniel’s never without them on a ride.

The parts I chose have all worked great so far. Admittedly I have had to spend time changing the tyres and servicing the brakes – but that’s understandable given that they’ve already been through 2,000km. I’ve been really positively taken aback by the DT Swiss Spline 1700 wheels, which are still true and show no dents or dings even after countless visits to bike parks and reckless downhilling.

Die DT Swiss Spline 1700-Laufräder hielten bisher allen Belastungen statt. — The DT Swiss Spline 1700 wheels have coped with everything Daniel’s thrown at them thus far.

The suspension

As a staunch fan of the RockShox Pike and Monarch Plus shock, my decision was already made when it came to Rose. Unfortunately the Dual Position Pike hasn’t lived up to my expectations, and I’m suffering from arm pump on long descents – something that’s never bothered me before. Even after an intense service and trying so any different set-ups, I haven’t found a solution. I probably should have gone back to the Solo Air model during the configuration process.

Gut versteckt: Im Gabelschaft ist für den Fall eines Kettenrisses ein Kettenschloss untergebracht. — Nicely hidden: There’s a chain-link hidden in the fork shaft in case the chain breaks.

The rear shock works just like it always has and unites optimally with the rear of the Uncle Jimbo. I ride with about 20% sag at the front and 30% at the rear.

Die Dual Position-Variante der RockShox Pike konnte Daniel bisher nicht überzeugen. — The Dual Position variant of the RockShox Pike hasn’t lived up to Daniel’s expectations thus far.

Climbing

Thanks to the steep 75° seat angle, and the resulting upright riding position, the Jimbo makes light work of virtually any climb. The rear helps here too, as the ‘firm’ setting on the RockShox Monarch Plus shock is so efficient at locking out the suspension that every turn of the pedals counts. Despite the relatively slack 66° head angle, the front hasn’t once wandered, and I’m yet to use the lower setting – yet another reason that speaks in favour of the Solo Air model.

Descending

Having already competed in six, mega diverse races, I have to admit that I’m won over by the Uncle Jimbo. The well-considered effective top tube length (600mm, large frame) lends me (183cm tall) a really central position on the bike, so I feel more than confident. And once I start pushing for speed, the stability is inspiring thanks to the slack head angle and ideal wheelbase. High-speed sections? Hell yes!

Auf sechs Rennen musste sich das Rose Uncle Jimbo bisher bewähren. — The Rose Uncle Jimbo has had to prove itself at six races already this season.

HThis is where the RockShox suspension is entirely in its element; over consecutive bumps, the forks and shock show sufficient travel in reserve, which means generosity and forgiveness for those massive hits. The rear generates a ton of traction too. The fork and shock perform well in synch, and seem to have nailed the balance. As already mentioned, the high progression on the forks is irritating. But the rear does exude some nice end progression, which reliably prevents bottoming-out.

And on those slow, techy sections, the Rose knows just what to do. Thanks to the super compact 431mm chainstay, the wheelbase isn’t overly long and handling is precise so the Uncle Jimbo nails the bridge between playful nimbleness and sublime stability.

Wer ein laufruhiges Rad bevorzugt und sich zwischen zwei Rahmengrößen bewegt, sollte beim Uncle Jimbo auf die größere zurückgreifen. — If you prize stability when it comes to your bike, then choose the larger frame of the two if you’re sized somewhere in the middle of the two frames.

If your height places you in between the two frame sizes, then definitely choose the larger of the two for the Uncle Jimbo. Compared to other manufacturers with similar geometry, the Rose seems relatively small. I’m certainly pleased that I chose the large frame.

Das gute Fahrwerk des Uncle Jimbo ermutigt zum laufenlassen und abziehen. — The great suspension of the Uncle Jimbo encourages you to just roll with the punches and pull on the bars.

Conclusion

Both with the Uncle Jimbo and with my choice of parts, I’m almost entirely satisfied. The manufacturing quality of the frame leaves no room for complaint. The bearings still work as though they’re brand new, and the finish shows no sign of wear and tear. The configuration of the parts has proven highly decent – it functions, it’s durable and it doesn’t require a lot of servicing. But the most important factor is its first-rate performance on the trails, whether it’s at super high speed or on gnarly slow-paced sections. This renders it an appealing bike to experienced racers as well as weekend riders. The only thing about the bike that doesn’t enamor me is the dual air version of the RockShox Pike.

Price: 3.210 € | Weight: 13,9 kg (incl. pedals & „gadgets”) | Travel: 160 mm/165 mm

More info: rosebikes.com.

Words: Daniel Schlicke Pictures: Klaus Kneist / Hanno Polomsky / Axel Brunst

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