With a name like the Pro SL, you might expect the endurance road bike from Rose to be high end. Well, for an aluminum road bike, the Pro SL could be considered high end – even though the price is closer to entry level or intermediate road bikes.
Built with a sleek aluminum frame and carbon fork, the Pro SL has a claimed frame weight of 1300g. Certainly not light by carbon standards, but for an aluminum endurance road frame it seems pretty respectable.
Improving on the past version, the newest Pro SL ditches the external seat clamp in favor of a hidden integrated design for a cleaner look. Also new to the 2020 version is the move to a 142 x 12mm rear thru axle for improved stiffness.
The Pro SL is still offered in either a rim brake or disc brake model. If you opt for disc brakes, you’ll gain increased tire clearance – now up to 32mm. On the rim brake version, you’ll be limited to 25mm. The disc model also moves to a new flat mount brake system that eliminates the need for any adapter to run 160mm brake rotors. We assume that like on the OPEN MIN.D, that means you can’t run 140mm rotors if you wanted to.
Another rarity for affordable aluminum road bikes is an internally routed aerodynamic cable system that all but hides the cables as they route through the steerer tube area. Rose states that in spite of this design, you can still replace the handlebar, stem, and spacers without having to disconnect the cables. So it sounds user friendly, while also looking pretty slick.
Impressively, the Pro SL is offered 10 different sizes from tiny 45cm to a massive 65cm frame. Both the 45cm and 48cm versions roll on 650? (the chart and PR say 650b, but it seems likely this could actually run 650c road tires instead) wheels and tires, while all other sizes use 700c.
Offered in Mandarin Red or Matte Silver Grey, the Pro SL starts at just €1199 for a Shimano 105 Rim Brake equipped version that weighs in around 8.5kg. For a higher end Shimano Ultegra Disc build with DT Swiss P1850 Spline Disc wheels, the price jumps to €1899 with an 8.9kg weight. Available in Europe and the UK, Rose will also ship a bike to the U.S., though shipping costs for a road bike are pricey at €250. Bikes are available for pre-order now with delivery time expected in 10 weeks.
