Rose PDW long-term Review

Wide range of use, lightweight. The Rose PDQ impressed us in the initial test when it was launched. How much of that is still noticeable a year later?

The conclusion of our Rose PDQ review reveals why we wanted to keep the Rose PDQ with us longer:

Instead of minimalist lightweight design, Rose delivers a modern hardtail with the PDQ that is really fun to ride off-road. With a 120mm fork, wide tires, and a dropper post included from the factory, the bike from Bocholt may not have reinvented the wheel. But the combination of these features in a bike weighing just 10 kg was unprecedented until now.

This combination thrilled us. Because the PDQ stays true to the classic values you expect from a hardtail: It’s still light, moves forward efficiently, and has the direct ride feel of a hardtail. But it can also descend surprisingly well.

When you lower the saddle, the wide 2.4 inch tires and the fork with 20mm extra travel really play their trump cards. In the long-term test, we mainly wanted to see how the bike and its components, like the SRAM transmission, held up and whether the concept remained appealing in everyday situations. For more information on the bike, you can also check out our video here.

Almost simultaneously with the PDQ, Sram GX Eagle Transmission Review was introduced. Naturally, this review also provided the perfect opportunity to thoroughly test this revolutionary system without a derailleur hanger. We can confirm the promise that Sram makes with this drivetrain.

Shifting is reliable, without needing regular adjustments. You actually don’t need any mechanic knowledge to be happy with this drivetrain. The reduction of variables in the interface between frame and drivetrain truly leads to a system that works worry-free in the long run. A detailed review focusing exclusively on this drivetrain can be found here.

Even the Micro Adjust function, which we frequently have to use on many bikes, was not needed with the PDQ to perfect the shifting.

The relationship nevertheless had to endure a setback relatively soon. After approximately 400 kilometers, the chain of the Transmission drivetrain snapped. The option to shift gears under full load with the Transmission system leads to riders actually doing so.

The stress on the chain is significantly higher than with mechanical shifting systems because the shifter’s servo motor ruthlessly pushes the chain over the cogs. Apparently, this chain didn’t take kindly to it.

We decided not to install a new chain. At approximately 50 €, very few bikers are likely to do that. Instead, we shortened the chain by removing the broken link and kept riding. At least this makeshift solution held up perfectly for the rest of the relationship.

You really can’t complain about the battery life of the Sram AXS components. The battery on the seatpost and the derailleur battery last a really long time. You can trust these small power packs for 30 hours without any issues.

Unless, of course, you’re dealing with winter temperatures below freezing. In such conditions, the battery drains significantly faster. This has led us to charge the batteries weekly during winter.

But in summer, when the temperatures invite longer rides and you’re more likely to think about a cold beer than the AXS charging station after biking, we’ve often been lulled into a false sense of security. Under these circumstances, the derailleur battery has died on us more than once out on the trail.

We were able to swap the seatpost battery with the shifting battery to keep going, but that left us riding with a high post. Bearable, but annoying.

A red blinking signal light on the shifter, which is always in view, would actually be helpful to remind us to maintain the charging routine before reaching a critical battery level.

When new, the bike was completely silent. However, after approximately 1500 kilometers, a creaking noise started to occur from time to time. A bit annoying, but with some TLC, the bike could be brought back to a state where it functioned without any noise.

Sometimes a thorough cleaning was enough, sometimes a bit of grease on the thru-axles, or the use of assembly paste for the seat post. A fact one has to live with in a sport that mainly takes place in dirt and dust.

The big surprise during our test: The classic wear parts have become remarkably robust. Whether it’s tires or chains, 3000 kilometers take their toll but don’t excessively wear down the material. The rear tire has now reached the point where it needs to be replaced.

The brake pads were replaced once. The chain checker indicates that the chain would soon need to be replaced, but it’s not urgent yet. The lateral play of the Rock Shox Reverb AXS dropper post is less than expected. The bushing play in the fork is still within acceptable limits. Here, the 35 mm diameter stanchions really pay off. There are no cables to replace thanks to the electronic shifting system. The bottom bracket and the wheel bearings are still running smoothly. The industry has truly taken a step in the right direction in recent years.

As with all our tests, we don’t just provide deep insights into the details. Unlike other media, our innovative and completely objective testing system allows us to give you information on the entire model family. Notably, Rose’s PDQ 1 at just 3000 € delivers a very coherent and, above all, high-quality complete bike. Use our comparison function with the arrow symbol to compare the models with each other.

By the way, we also have a complete buying guide for race bikes.