The new Rose Root Miller 2 Review

With the new version of the well-known Root Miller, Rose is introducing an affordable full-suspension bike for real trails to the market. Thanks to the updates on the bike, it is said to be more capable downhill than its predecessor. We took a closer look at the bike and tested whether the Root Miller lives up to its promise.

The predecessor of the Root Miller came equipped with only 150 mm of travel on the fork. In its fourth generation, the bike ups the ante with 160 mm of travel up front. The additional 10 mm offers extra reserves to forgive minor riding errors and handle drops more confidently. This enhancement in safety and control makes the bike even more versatile and ready for more demanding trails.

Additionally, the head angle has been slackened to 64°, providing the bike with increased stability and control during steep descents. Meanwhile, the reach has been extended by 15 mm, resulting in a more modern and centered riding position. With this latest version, Rose elevates the Root Miller’s geometry to the current standard expected of an enduro bike.

The size L fit perfectly for a height of 1.78 m. Rose recommends either size M or L for someone who is 1.78 m. Opting for the larger option did not negatively impact our test. Overall, the Root Miller is available in 5 sizes from S-XL, ensuring that everyone should find a suitable size.

At first glance, you also notice that the cable routing runs through the headset. This creates a tidy look, but it might be a headache for home mechanics when it comes to maintenance. To replace the shift cable, the fork has to be removed here.

Otherwise, Rose focuses on a super minimalistic design without any frills. In addition to a water bottle, a small tool can also be mounted in the frame thanks to the tool mount on the underside of the top tube. The down tube and chainstay are, as usual, lined with rubber protectors to safeguard the frame. There is no focus on flashy hidden pivot points or similar features. Form Follows Function was more likely the guiding principle here.

Rose relies on a classic four-bar linkage for the rear suspension. There are no unnecessary bells and whistles here. While companies like Forbidden, Trek, or Cannondale are currently reinventing the rear suspension concept, Rose remains consistently moderate and steers clear of extreme designs.

The rear suspension features a slight progression when compressing. There are significantly more progressive rear suspensions out there, but Rose focuses mainly on comfort throughout the entire travel range.

Up to a sag of 30%, the rear suspension’s anti-squat value remains above 100%, preventing pedal-induced bobbing. However, in the easiest gear, some shock movement is noticeable. As you shift to higher gears, the rear suspension stabilizes significantly during pedaling. Riders who value an efficient rear suspension should definitely avoid exceeding 30% negative travel. With softer shock settings, the drive influences increase considerably.

Even when braking downhill, the rear suspension remains fully active and works incredibly sensitively. This is a boon for those who want to shred downhill and are in search of grip in any riding situation.

In a mountain bike priced around €2700, it’s rare to expect a carbon frame. The Rose Root Miller is also a bike made of aluminum. One of the big advantages of carbon is the weight savings. But is that really relevant here?

The Rose Root Miller 2 tips the scales at 14.8 kg, which is an impressively low figure for an aluminum bike in this category and price range. Especially considering that nothing was skimped on. Proper tires, a 4-piston brake system, and a shock with a reservoir may add weight, yet they are indispensable in an enduro bike.
When it comes to weight, the stripped-down approach of the Rose Root Miller pays off, and it even outperforms significantly more expensive bikes. Bikes like the Raaw Jibb or the Forbidden Druid are much heavier, even though they often cost more than twice as much.

The Rose Root Miller 2 impresses uphill with a good mix of efficiency and comfort. The steep seat angle allows for a comfortable riding position, making pedaling easier even on longer climbs. Even on steep sections, the front wheel stays calm and securely on the ground, building confidence on technical ascents.

As described in the section about the rear suspension, the rear end works relatively pedal-neutral as long as you don’t exceed 30% sag. Only in the easiest gear is a minimal bobbing of the shock noticeable.

With a long reach of 485 mm and a slack 64-degree head angle, the Root Miller’s geometry is exactly where you’d expect an enduro bike to be in 2025. The bike delivers a stable ride due to its long main frame, even when you open the throttle.

The RockShox suspension shines on technical trails, effortlessly smoothing out root carpets and providing a comfortable ride. In extreme riding situations, it feels like the bike flexes slightly more than others might. Whether this is due to the DT Swiss wheels, the rear triangle, or the main frame couldn’t be determined. However, the overall flex was minimal, meaning that the stiffness was within the acceptable range.

The Rose Root Miller 2 not only feels at home on typical enduro trails, but it also has enough reserves to handle occasional visits to the bike park—a true all-rounder.

No. Overall, the Rose Root Miller in the configuration for €2699 is convincing. Both newcomers to the world of ambitious mountain biking and passionate riders will find the Rose Root Miller 2 to be a consistently coherent bike. In the same price range, you’ll search in vain for a comparable offering.

Those who generally want higher-quality components but cannot afford them have the option to tune the Rose Root Miller cost-effectively afterwards. A higher-quality wheelset is available starting at €500. A Rock Shox Lyrik fork €400. These are likely the areas with the greatest potential for tuning.

The Rose Root Miller is available in four configurations: Root Miller 1, Root Miller 2, Root Miller 3, and Root Miller 4. Prices start at €2,199 for the 1 model and go up to €4,999 for the top spec. Depending on the model and configuration, components such as forks, shocks, and wheels vary, allowing each rider to choose the right version based on their budget and needs. The best value for money is definitely with the Root Miller 2. Beyond that, luxury begins. Below it, you’ll have to make bigger compromises, such as a shock without a reservoir.