ROSE Scrub DC3 – In our 2025 Downhill comparison test

With the ROSE Scrubb, the German manufacturer proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a downhill bike with a good spec. Retailing at a very competitive € 4,799, it comes equipped with mostly high-quality components. So one question arises: can the Scrub hold its own against the blinger and often significantly more expensive competition?

German direct-to-consumer brand ROSE returns to the world of downhill with the Scrub. The price tag alone is a statement, with the flagship model retailing at a very reasonable € 4,799 while relying on top-tier components that are otherwise nearly impossible to find in this price range. The ROSE Scrub features an alloy frame, and, at 17.8 kg, is the heaviest bike in the entire test field. The Scrub is only available as a mullet bike, with the suspension generating 200 mm of travel front and rear. Needless to say, at this price point, you’ll have to make some compromises. On paper, this mainly concerns the limited geometry adjustments, and upon closer inspection, some questionable components. But how does the Scrub DC3 perform on the trail, and can it make up for these shortcomings?

Find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best Downhill Bike 2024 – Six exciting DH bikes in a comparison test

Specs and details of the 2024 ROSE Scrub DC3

At first glance, the ROSE Scrub impresses as a high-end bike, but reveals some hidden compromises upon closer inspection. The frame is simple yet stylish, and sports a raw aluminium look with a glossy finish and discrete branding. This is the only colour option available for the Scrub.

Technically, ROSE use a classic four-bar linkage with a vertically-mounted shock. A small plastic cover on the swingarm effectively protects the shock from dirt. Although it’s attached to the frame with a magnet, it’s secured properly and didn’t give us any problems during this test. The suspension comes from RockShox: a BoXXer Ultimate fork with a Charger 3 damper unit at the front, and a RockShox Vivid Ultimate air shock at the rear. The Scrub is the only bike in this test that comes fully equipped with RockShox components.

A tool mount under the top tube allows you to secure your trail essentials directly to the frame – a practical feature for long days in the saddle. Not as impressive is the chainstay protector, which is a bit too short, causing the chain to chip the paint after just a few test runs. On top of that, the protector came loose during our tests. Despite this, the bike remained relatively quiet, and the internally routed cables don’t cause any annoying noises either. The full-length plastic down tube protector can be removed and doubles as a cable channel. Most of these solutions are pragmatic and do their job well but can’t quite match the thoughtful and high-quality concepts of the competition.

SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes with 220/200 mm rotors provide powerful, reliable deceleration. They are identical to the top-tier model but forgo the titanium and carbon parts. Shifting is taken care of by a 7-speed SRAM X0 DH drivetrain. The chain is kept in place by a chain guide, while a bash guard protects the chainring from nasty impacts.

One area where ROSE cut corners is the NEWMEN FORGE 30 alloy wheelset. If you’re not an expert, it’s easy to overlook such details, but wheels are one of the most important components on a bike like this. The budget alloy wheels proved to be rather vulnerable during this test, and we had to tighten spokes after just a few runs. Still, the rear wheel developed a wobble and we found several dents in the rim by the end of the test – frustrating! The rims are paired with Schwalbe tires, with a Magic Mary at the front and Big Betty at the rear, both in the Soft rubber compound and Super Gravity casing. However, this combination is too prone to punctures and too stiff for a downhill bike. This results in a loss of traction as you need to run higher pressures to avoid punctures. Tires with Super DH casings and Ultra Soft rubber compounds would have been a better choice, and the difference compared to the competition was noticeable on the trail.

Tuning Tips:
– Tires with softer rubber compounds like Ultra Soft and more robust casings like Super DH
– Invest in high-quality wheels (very expensive)

The geometry of the 2024 ROSE Scrub DC3

The ROSE Scrub is available in four frame sizes, S to XL. With reach values ranging between 435 mm and 505 mm – 483 mm on our test bike in size L. Compared to other bikes in this test field, the Scrub is severely limited in terms of geometry adjustments. The only thing that can be adjusted is the head angle, which can be set between 63° and 64° by simply rotating the headset cups. We mainly rode the bike in the slack setting with a 63° angle.

Chainstay length varies depending on the frame size, with 435 mm in sizes S and M and 445 mm in sizes L and XL. This is meant to ensure consistent handling across all sizes. Overall, the Scrub’s geometry is convincingly modern but not particularly flexible. It should work well for many riders but offers little room for individual adjustments

The ROSE Scrub DC3 2024 on the trail

First things first: We had already tested the ROSE Scrub last year, and our initial impression of the bike was positive. At that time, the Scrub convinced us as a solid bike park shredder. However, when compared directly to other modern downhill bikes, the picture changes. Since we had the opportunity to test all the downhill bikes back-to-back on the same track for this test, we were able to get a much stronger and more detailed impression of the ROSE this time. Additionally, while our previous test bike was equipped with a RockShox Super Deluxe Coil shock and high-quality Newmen Evolution E.G. 30 wheels, the ROSE Scrub DC3 2024 comes with an air shock and weaker wheels, which makes a significant difference in performance and diminishes the bike’s downhill capabilities.

The ROSE Scrub offers mostly high-quality components at an unbeatable price.

When you first swing your leg over the saddle, the ROSE Scrub takes a little getting used to. The balance feels unusual, so you’ll have to move around the bike until you find the central position. On top of that, the Rose places you on top of the bike rather than integrating you between its wheels, which robs you of confidence.

The Scrub initially feels pretty stable, but once you start to push hard, it becomes unsettled and unpredictable. Especially at high speeds, you feel insecure, receive undefined feedback from the ground, and the bike becomes challenging to ride. The smaller rear wheel shows its strengths in tight corners where you can flick the rear end around well. However, overall, the Scrub isn’t particularly agile.

The suspension with the Rockshox Vivid Ultimate air shock also shows weaknesses. Even with the correct SAG, it feels like it’s sitting too high in its travel, and the responsiveness is slightly harsh. The rear suspension stiffens up with fast, consecutive hits, and causes the rear wheel to lose traction when braking on rough terrain or braking bumps. When the going gets rough, the rear end starts to kick out, reducing control even further. The suspension offers decent support overall, but when you try to compress it for popping off a tree stump, the energy seems to dissipate into the travel, resulting in a noticeable lack of pop. While the Rose enables speeds and times similar to those of the competition, it requires significantly more attention, energy, and skills, leaving little margin for error.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 ROSE Scrub DC3?

The ROSE Scrub is aimed at those who want mostly high-quality components at a reasonable price. While last year’s Scrub was initially convincing, the ROSE Scrub DC3 we tested falls short—partly due to changes in the spec. In terms of riding performance, the bike unfortunately cannot keep up with the competition, which is admittedly sometimes significantly more expensive, and it ranks at the lower end of our test field.

The ROSE Scrub shows that even high-end components are worthless if the ride performance doesn’t match.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 ROSE Scrub DC3?

The ROSE Scrub is aimed at those who want mostly high-quality components at a reasonable price. While last year’s Scrub was initially convincing, the ROSE Scrub DC3 we tested falls short—partly due to changes in the spec. In terms of riding performance, the bike unfortunately cannot keep up with the competition, which is admittedly sometimes significantly more expensive, and it ranks at the lower end of our test field.

Conclusion about the ROSE Scrub DC3

The ROSE Scrub is a prime example of how high-end components alone don’t make a good bike. The adjustability is extremely limited, which would be acceptable in this price range if the bike could perform on the trail – but it can’t. The Scrub feels unbalanced, offers very little confidence, and the air shock suspension is insensitive, stiffens over quick hits, and lacks pop – a real shame.

Tops

• Mostly high-quality components at a low price
• Relatively quiet

Flops

• Unsettled ride behaviour
• Weak suspension
• Limited adjustability

More info on the ROSE website.

The test field

Find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best Downhill Bike 2024 – Six exciting DH bikes in a comparison test

All bikes in the test: GIANT Glory Advanced (Click for review) | Pivot Phoenix V5 (Click for review) | RAAW Yalla! (Click for review) | ROSE Scrub DC 3 | Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 (Click for review) | YT TUES MK4 CORE4 (Click for review)

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Words: David Feddersen Photos: Peter Walker