With its new SNEAK+, german direct marketer Rose now presents its third e-bike platform, which integrates the electric drive particularly inconspicuously. At first glance, you can hardly tell that the bike is an e-bike — especially since the people at Rose also very skillfully direct the attention to other details.
In particular, this means the golden components of the brake system of Formula’s model series Cura, which give this bike that little something extra! Especially in combination with the otherwise minimalist look of the bikes — there is the SNEAK+ only in matte white and black — this detail is highlighted particularly well.
More familiar fare, however, is the drive system from Mahle. This X35 system with a compact rear hub motor, permanently installed battery with 250 Wh capacity in the down tube and a button on the top tube, we now already know from numerous other bikes in this segment. But the combination of this drive as a singlespeed with the almost maintenance-free belt drive from Gates is found more rarely (for example, in Desiknio, Schindelhauer’s Arthur or the Urwahn Platzhirsch). Basically, a now established system that is quite pleasant to drive despite a missing torque sensor.
Although you could criticize that for the SNEAK+ Rose omits the easier to use handlebar button (iWOC Trio), which is available for this Mahle’s drive system. But they probably tried in terms of good design to make the cockpit as uncluttered as possible — which is why they rely on the button with LED ring (iWOC One) integrated into the frame to control the drive.
And indeed: the cockpit is really very tidy, the some two brake lines are routed just below the handlebars in the stem and then disappear in the aluminum frame. The SNEAK+ EQ LTD proves that despite the focus on a purist look, the function is not neglected. The addition EQ reveals it already, this variant has additional equipment on board. The handlebar in this case comes from Lightskin and houses a StVZO-compliant headlight, which is supplied with power from the battery of the e-drive. The same applies to the rear light, also from Lightskin, and installed in the seatpost. By the way, we have already subjected both components to a separate test here. The EQ version is completed by slim mudguards, which form a visual unit with the Pirelli tires in 28″ format. With this EQ equipment, the bike weighs only 100g more than the regular model with its 14.6 kg.
Both variants of the SNEAK+ are equipped with saddle and handlebar grips from Brooks, which underlines the high-quality impression of the bike. A look at the price proves that you don’t have to dig deep into your pocket for this: The regular SNEAK+ costs 2,349 euros, while the EQ model is priced at 2,599 euros, and both models are available in three sizes (S, M, L). Compared to the aforementioned competitors, who rely on the same electric drive system with Gates’ belt drive, this is a really favorable price!
