sexy Beast
Rose Bonero Plus Review

The new Rose Bonero refuses to be pigeonholed as an entry-level E-MTB hardtail. Who is the design with a carbon frame, TQ’s subtle Light motor, and high-end components intended for?

Bargain hunters will be let down. At €4499, the most affordable model of the new Rose Bonero Plus doesn’t come cheap. With a carbon hardtail, 140mm of travel, and an e-bike motor, Rose deliberately steps aside and lets the mainstream pass by. That makes it all the more exciting for us to truly discover the intended purpose of this offbeat ride.

In the unassisted bike world, Trailhardtails have garnered a large following. They are, on a technical level, clearly inferior to full-suss bikes in terms of grip and comfort, but they have other compelling arguments in their favor.

Firstly, Trailhardtails possess a wonderfully unconventional charm in a world obsessed with perfectionism. Additionally, they are lighter, more affordable, and significantly more durable than full-suspension mountain bikes. And it’s exactly for these reasons that the Rose Bonero without an e-bike motor has already captivated us. But how well do these arguments translate to an E-MTB?

At least the weight argument holds up for EMTBs as well. We weighed the Bonero Plus 2 at 16.8 kilograms. It’s 1 kilogram lighter than Specialized’s €14,000 Turbo Levo SL and also half a kilo lighter than the Scott Lumen priced at €10,000. When you make this comparison, it’s clear: even though €4,999 is not exactly a bargain, both the price point and the weight aspect are compelling for the electrified Bonero.

Those who regularly load their bike into a car or have to carry it up several flights of stairs will feel and love the advantage of weight beyond the trails.

It’s also exciting to look beyond the realm of e-MTBs. In 2023, we crowned the motorless Rose Bonero as “Editors’ Choice” thanks to its excellent value for money and a truly coherent concept. The acoustic version was about only half the price at €2200 and weighed in at 12.6 kg, almost 4 kg less. So, the update with the motor is quite literally a heavyweight factor.

On the flip side, even non-electric full-suspension bikes like the All Mountain fully Canyon Spectral, with a price tag over €4000, weigh in at nearly 16 kg. So one might casually say: A fully without a motor or a hardtail with a motor, weight-wise, it comes out about the same.

In the world of trail hardtails, it’s often touted that they are significantly lower maintenance than a full-suspension bike. The reason is clear: without shock absorbers and joints in the frame, there are far fewer spots that can cause trouble over time. Creaking noises, bearing wear, play in the rear triangle — sound familiar? All these issues are bypassed with a hardtail.

And, of course, the Bonero Plus sidesteps these issues as well. But can an e-MTB, which relies on a power outlet and inevitably requires software updates at some point, really be considered low-maintenance, or even minimalist? In absolute terms, probably not. But when compared to an e-MTB with full suspension, definitely.

The TQ motor is the most streamlined EMTB motor available. The motor itself is nearly invisibly tucked behind the chainring. The small 360-Wh battery allows for downtube dimensions that are typical of an unpowered bike.

Rose is playing this TQ motor ace deliberately, turning the Bonero into a style icon among EMTBs with its aesthetic lines. Despite its design drawing intense looks, most passersby in front of an ice cream parlor would not recognize the Bonero Plus as an e-bike. The top tube integrated display and the minimalist remote lever blend into the Bonero’s overall image more discreetly than is common for EMTBs.

Even on the trails, the TQ HPR 50 operates so quietly that the motor noise actually gets lost in the wind. Motors like the Fazua or Bosch CX may offer more powerful assistance, but they also make their presence known more distinctly on the trail. This is because TQ’s special Ping-Ring technology makes this motor the only one on the market whose gearbox doesn’t rattle when you’re ripping down the trails.

But the style of the Rose Bonero Plus isn’t just about the subtle and seamlessly integrated motor. The developers from Bocholt have also paid attention to details such as the integration of the rear brake mount. Not only is the brake caliper well-integrated into the design, but the carbon frame is completely free of sensitive threads. That’s because they’re all housed in an aluminum adapter that’s supported by the rear axle.

Moreover, the rear triangle also offers plenty of tire clearance to fit a 2.6-inch tire if needed. This way, you can enhance the comfort of the bike even further down the line. With the UDH mech hanger, you not only get a quick replacement in the event of a breakdown, but you can also switch to Sram’s transmission drives Herin the long term. This setup really ensures future-proof compatibility. Unfortunately, the rear triangle does not have any mounting points for a rack or fender. The Rose Bonero without the motor offers this option.

Even though the motor outputs a maximum of only 300 watts, it offers significant assistance uphill in rough terrain. Compared to other light motors, such as the Bosch SX, the TQ delivers full power even at a low cadence. This is especially helpful when climbing in technical terrain. With the right riding technique, you can also navigate the Bonero Plus with great precision on singletrack ascents. Thanks to its light weight, you can lift the rear wheel over terrain edges just as you would on a non-motorized MTB. This way, you’ll churn through grueling uphills meter by meter with a lot of riding fun.

If you find yourself less on the trails and more on gravel or pavement, the Bonero proves to be a sporty partner. The Schwalbe tires roll efficiently. The seating position leans towards the sporty side. Plus, even above the motor’s support limit, pedaling the Bonero is surprisingly smooth. The TQ motor certainly offers no resistance then.

On the singletrack descent, the Bonero Plus becomes surprisingly fun after a short adjustment period. The elongated mainframe and slack head angle provide a secure feeling even at higher speeds. However, one should be aware: when larger roots, rocks, or even jumps are ahead, things get tough—literally. The absence of a rear shock is definitely noticeable. Plowing over obstacles as you would on a full-suspension bike is not an option.

You need to deliberately unload the rear wheel to negotiate obstacles. This is not always possible, especially at higher speeds on the trail. And that’s when you’ll feel the high unsprung weight of the Bonero Plus. If the rear wheel hits an obstacle with full force, it not only slows down the entire ride, but also imparts a somewhat unpleasant, insecure feeling. The Bonero Plus shines on easy, flowy trails or gravel paths. However, root carpets and rock gardens are not its forte.

The Rose Bonero Plus is available in three spec levels ranging from 4499 to 5799 Euro. We’ve taken a look at all the options. With the arrow symbol , you can also pull each model into the comparison with any other bike from our extensive market overview.