SLAB PLUS 2026

The Rose SLAB PLUS 2026 is a German direct-to-consumer carbon enduro eMTB built around Bosch's Performance Line CX-R race motor and an 800 Wh battery. Headline numbers: 170 mm of fork travel, 160 mm at the rear, 22.4 kg claimed, a properly slack 64 degree head angle and reach progressing 445 mm on S, 470 mm on M, 495 mm on L and 520 mm on XL. The community framing has been highly favourable in early press: this is the value pick of the 2026 Bosch CX-R class, delivering the latest motor, an 800 Wh pack, a carbon chassis and proper kit at well under €7000. No curated rider quotes are yet on file for this bike on the forum.

Drive system and range. Bosch Performance Line CX-R is the race-tuned variant of the latest 85 Nm CX (gold rating); with the MY26 firmware update, current Bosch CX-R systems can deliver up to 100 Nm and a 750 W peak in race mode. The CX-R weighs 2.75 kg, in line with the standard Gen 5. The 800 Wh battery is exceptional at this 22.4 kg claimed weight: rivals at this travel typically run 600 to 750 Wh. Press testing on the 800 Wh build returned over 2000 m of elevation gain in standardised turbo testing, putting the SLAB PLUS in genuine long-day territory.

Geometry and handling. A 64 degree head angle is squarely modern enduro territory, slacker than typical 64.5 degree mainstream rivals. Reach steps clean 445 mm S, 470 mm M, 495 mm L and 520 mm XL with a clean 25 mm-per-size progression. The 448 mm chainstay is held constant across all four sizes, which on the longest XL frame is on the shorter side, but the wheelbase progression should keep balance acceptable. The 170/160 mm travel pairing with this geometry pitches the SLAB PLUS as a proper enduro tool: steep, technical descents are its target.

Build and value. Rose publishes a single base trim at €6900 for the spec we have on file, 22.4 kg. Early press testing has been carried out on builds priced under €5000 with comparable spec, suggesting Rose's pricing flexibility is real and deals can be found. At €6900 you get the Bosch CX-R drive unit, an 800 Wh battery, a carbon frame, 170/160 mm of travel and the 22.4 kg claimed weight: this is one of the lightest 800 Wh Bosch eMTBs currently shipping. Component spec at this price point typically includes Fox Performance or RockShox Lyrik-class suspension and SRAM or Shimano XT-grade drivetrain.

Verdict. The Rose SLAB PLUS 2026 is the value-driven choice for the rider who wants a carbon enduro eMTB with Bosch's latest CX-R race motor, an 800 Wh battery and properly modern geometry at sharp direct-to-consumer pricing. The strengths are real: 22.4 kg with an 800 Wh pack is one of the best weight-to-battery ratios in any 170/160 mm carbon enduro, the 64 degree head angle is bang-on enduro norm, Bosch CX-R service is well-supported through the established Bosch dealer network and the 25 mm-per-size reach progression is clean and modern. The honest caveats: dealer footprint for Rose outside Germany is thin, and the bike is mainly sold direct, so warranty service depends on shipping or independent shop support outside German-speaking Europe. The constant 448 mm chainstay across all sizes is the typical missed-trick for taller riders, and the bike has no curated forum quotes or owner reports on file yet, so long-term reliability data on this specific 2026 chassis is limited. Component spec at €6900 should be competitive but buyers should check whether the specific build kit matches their priorities. The SLAB PLUS suits the rider who wants a carbon Bosch CX-R chassis with proper enduro geometry and an 800 Wh pack at one of the best direct-to-consumer prices in the segment, and is happy with German dealer-network depth. Riders prioritising broad UK or EU dealer support, removable batteries with cross-frame compatibility or proven multi-year reliability data should look at a Cube Stereo Hybrid 160, Cannondale Moterra LT or Specialized Levo. Production status is current.