A permanent fixture in ROSE’s stable, the ROOT MILLER has been treated to a fundamental revamp for the coming season. It’s not only longer and slacker, but it has also seen some major tweaks to its spec. Are these changes enough to keep it in the premier league, or is the test fleet’s only aluminium bike ready for the scrapheap?
At first glance it doesn’t look like much has changed on the ROOT MILLER 3, but ROSE have really turned up the heat in their design studio to render this bike fit for the new season. It’s now slacker (by 1.5°) and longer (with an extra 15 mm on the reach), plus it’s adopted the Boost rear hub sizing and is compatible with plus-size tires. As expected from ROSE, there’s no reason to grumble when it comes to the spec, seeing the bike rely on 140 mm of FOX Factory suspension and a high-end Race Face cockpit that’ll already be making your hands moist with anticipation. The DT Swiss XM 1501 SPLINE ONE 29er wheels are also a failsafe choice that deliver a familiar, top-level performance. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can upgrade to the SRAM Eagle drivetrain using ROSE’s tidy online configurator.
Comfort has to be some sort of hidden middle name for the ROOT MILLER, as its steep seat angle, fairly low (but not excessive) bottom bracket drop of 28 mm, and those long 447 mm chainstays play a major role in just how readily the bike climbs, propelling its way up rutted ascents with ease. The combination of lightweight wheels and quick-rolling tires make it a speedy contender for flat-out stability and pace. Unfortunately, the Continental Mountain King tires lacked sufficient grip on descents. The ROOT MILLER’s geometry is incredibly balanced, and it’s one of those generously forgiving rides that’s able to track its line at high speeds and remain unfazed by uneven ground thanks to the big wheels and plush suspension. Those long chainstays have a downside though, which comes to the fore in tight turns and sharp changes of direction, where you’ll need a little muscle to maneuver the bike.
Rose ROOT MILLER 3 in Detail
Fork: FOX 34 Float DPS Factory
Shock: FOX Float DPS Factory
Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain: SRAM X01
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: RaceFace Turbine
Handlebar: RaceFace SIXC 800 mm
Tires: Continental Mountain King II
Wheels: DT Swiss XM 1501 Spline One
The cables are fixed at both entry and exit to prevent them from clattering.
The cockpit on the ROOT MILLER, with its 50 mm stem and 800 mm bar width (easily shortened), is usefully wide and gives the rider the ultimate control, particularly when the trail gets gnarly.
Trail bikes are often able to outride their tires in terms of potency, so it’s usually better to accept a few extra grams or slightly more rolling resistance in favour of better descending performance.
ROSE have proven that you can build lightweight bikes out of aluminium, as the 12.79 kg of the ROOT MILLER 3 puts this bike right in the middle of the test fleet.
Conclusion
The ROSE ROOT MILLER 3 is one of those dependable presences for long, good-humored days in the saddle. With its newly fine-tuned geometry, it’s satisfying to see how the bike can turn its hand competently to both climbing and descending. The aluminium-framed ROSE ROOT MILLER 3’s low weight is testament to the fact that carbon isn’t the only choice for scale-watchers. However, its agility is still below par, so there’s room for improvement.
Strenghts
- Very comfortable
- Generous handling
- Great value for money
Weaknesses
- A bit burly to handle
For more information head to rosebikes.de!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: A Bike for All Situations – 9 of the most exciting trail bikes of 2017
All bikes in test: FOCUS JAM C Factory | Giant Trance Advanced 0 | Lapierre Zesty AM 927 Ultimate | SCOTT Spark Plus 700 Tuned | Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29 | Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 | Yeti SB5 TURQ X01 Eagle | YT JEFFSY 29 CF Pro
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