We’re already familiar with the Rose Hobo as an exciting hybrid of an urban and gravel bike. With its flat-bar handlebars, wide tyres and, last but not least, its steel frame, it stands out nicely from many classic gravel bikes – and it’s precisely this that makes it an interesting choice as a sporty urban bike too. Now Rose is launching the Hobo in a new colourway for the coming winter season, whilst also expanding the standard front rack with a practical option for increased carrying capacity.
A striking appearance at Cosmic Cassis
Rose had already announced seasonal colours at the launch of the Hobo Cuesin the spring. Following the summery Cotton Candy, a new variant in Cosmic Cassis is now available. The vibrant purple features a metallic finish that shimmers to varying degrees depending on the angle of the light. The red front luggage rack, with its striking, crack-like texture in bright yellow, provides a stark contrast. The new variant is certainly not understated – though that was never the intention with the Cotton Candy either.
The basic design of the Hobo remains unchanged. The steel frame continues to form the basis, combined with straight handlebars and a fairly relaxed riding position. The frame accommodates tyres up to 55 millimetres wide, and according to Rose, the complete bike weighs around 13 kilograms. This means the Hobo remains positioned somewhere between a sporty city bike and a gravel bike – cobbled streets and poor cycle paths are just as much a part of its intended terrain as forest and gravel tracks.
More space on the front crossbar
For some, however, the new Hobo Extension Rack is likely to be even more interesting than the new colour. It allows the standard front rack to be extended, providing more space for bags, shopping or other stuff on longer rides. The extension is available in colours to match both the new Cosmic Cassis and the existing Cotton Candy models.
Combined with optional mudguards and a compatible side stand, this allows the Hobo to be tailored more closely to everyday use. At the same time, it remains possible to ride the bike in a comparatively minimalist style – depending on whether you’re tackling everyday life, your commute or a ride off the beaten track.
Proofed tech remains
Technically, the new colour variant does not introduce any fundamental changes. The bike continues to be equipped with Shimano’s Cues groupset in a 1×10 configuration featuring Linkglide technology, complemented by hydraulic disc brakes. This relatively straightforward setup suits the Hobo’s versatile design and offers a wide enough range of gear ratios for use in the city as well as on varied terrain.
With Cosmic Cassis, the Rose Hobo gains, above all, a striking new look, whilst the Extension Rack offers genuine functional added value. It is precisely this expandability that is one of the concept’s most interesting features: the Hobo can be ridden as a sporty urban bike without hiding its gravel heritage – and, if required, can be gradually upgraded into a practical everyday and touring bike. The new model is available for 1,300 euros in four sizes right here in Rose’s online shop, whilst the Extension Rack is available as an optional extra for 99 euros.
