The Rose XLITE was the German direct-to-consumer brand's lightweight race bike from 2022 to 2025, sold as the XLITE 04 and the higher-end XLITE 06. If you are shopping in 2026, there is one important fact first: Rose has replaced the XLITE with the new Shave series, sold worldwide from 5 February 2026. As of October 2026, Rose's race category lists only the Shave FF and Shave. The remaining XLITE product pages show every size as sold out, and the XLITE now sits in Rose's support archive.

This article covers what the XLITE was, which matters if you are buying a used or remaining one, and what the Shave changes. It is a specification-based review, not a ride test. Facts come from Rose's product pages, frame-details PDF, support pages and press releases, checked in October 2026.

XLITE at a glance

Rose positioned the XLITE as an aggressive race concept, with short head tubes and steep seat angles for a low, sporty position. It balanced aerodynamics, low weight and integration rather than chasing one extreme.

Both frames use flat-mount disc brakes with a maximum 160 mm rotor, two bottle-cage mounts, a maximum chainring of 53/39 and a D-shaped seatpost. Rose lists a maximum system weight of 110 kg.

The XLITE 06: power meter on every build

For the 2025 model year, Rose fitted a power meter to every XLITE 06 build. The 06 was the performance version of the 04, with a high-modulus frame, Rose's 60 mm RC Sixty carbon wheels and a one-piece carbon cockpit.

Rose's Dura-Ace and Red pages are earlier listings that don't name a power meter, while the February 2025 press release says all four MY25 XLITE 06 builds have one. If you are buying one of these, confirm what the exact bike includes.

The in-house RC Sixty wheels have a 60 mm deep rim, 29.5 mm external and 21 mm internal width, Newmen hubs and Sapim bladed spokes. Rose quotes 1,620 g for the set. The one-piece Race cockpit weighs about 395 g (measured at 420 x 110 mm), with an 83 mm reach, 130 mm drop, 3° flare and −9° stem angle. All builds use Rose's D-shape seatpost with a 14 mm offset.

For aerodynamics, Rose cites a TOUR magazine wind-tunnel test: at 45 km/h, a size-57 XLITE 06 with RC60 wheels and Continental GP5000 28 mm tyres needed 215 W.

The XLITE 04: the electronic-only entry point

For 2025, Rose sold the XLITE 04 in two electronic builds, 105 Di2 and Rival AXS, both at €3,599 at launch. The 04 frame is heavier than the 06 (1,030 g vs 870 g at 57 cm) but shares the same fork and geometry.

The 105 Di2 Advanced build listed Newmen Advanced A.50 carbon wheels (50 mm deep, 1,470 g), Schwalbe Pro One Evo 28 mm tyres, a Ritchey Road Comp Streem II bar with a Rose ALR stem and a Selle Italia Model X Superflow saddle. Rose lists it at about 7.9 kg in size 57. An earlier Ultegra Di2 listing was about 7.3 kg in size M.

Geometry

The XLITE comes in six sizes. Rose's frame-details PDF (V2022.07) gives:

Rose quotes a stack-to-reach ratio of about 1.4 in size 57. That is a race position, similar to many current race bikes, with steep seat angles and a 410 mm chainstay throughout. Rose's site data also lists stock bars of 400–420 mm, cranks of 170–175 mm and stems of 90–120 mm across the sizes. Rose doesn't publish trail.

How the XLITE's fit compares

Comparing stack and reach with another current race bike shows where the XLITE sits. In size 57 it has 557 mm of stack and 398 mm of reach. Giant's 2026 TCR Advanced SL has 562 mm and 393 mm in size ML, and 545 mm and 388 mm in size M. That puts the XLITE firmly in mainstream race-bike territory: neither unusually low nor unusually upright for its size.

The steep 75–75.5° seat angles on the two smallest sizes, plus 72 mm of BB drop, help shorter riders get a forward, compact position. On the larger sizes, the 73.3–73.5° head angles and 1,013–1,027 mm wheelbases are typical of a quick-steering race bike.

If you are buying second-hand, measure the seller's bike rather than relying on the size label. Compare its stack and reach (and the stem and bar fitted) with your current bike. Then check whether the integrated cockpit can match your position, because the one-piece Race cockpit isn't adjustable in the way a separate bar and stem are.

Frame interfaces and maintenance

Buying a used XLITE means checking parts compatibility. From Rose's frame-details PDF:

• Bottom bracket: press-fit, Shimano SM-BB72-41B or SRAM DUB PF Road 86.5.
• Axles: 12 x 100 mm front, 12 x 142 mm rear.
• Headset: 42 x 52 x 7 mm upper bearing and 40 x 52 x 7 mm lower bearing, with a 1 1/8" compression ring and a top cover for fully integrated cable routing.
• Derailleur hanger: direct-mount and standard versions.
• Brakes: flat mount, 160 mm rotors front and rear (maximum).
• Tyres: up to 700 x 32c.

Rose sells XLITE spare parts in a category named "Xlite 04/06 2022–2025". Its product pages show a 6-year crash replacement service, but check the current terms with Rose if you are buying second-hand.

What replaced it: the Rose Shave

Rose's February 2026 press release introduced the Shave series, and the Shave FF page calls the Xlite 06 its predecessor. According to Rose:

Rose says the Shave FFX frame is 75 g lighter than the Xlite 06 in size 55. It also says the FFX needed 10 W less in TOUR's test at 45 km/h (205 W vs 215 W) and clears 3 mm wider tyres. The FFX is the team bike of Unibet Rose Rockets.

In short, the Shave FF takes the XLITE's place as Rose's race bike, with more tyre clearance, a lighter top frame and a lower drag figure. The Shave covers riders who want a more all-round position.

Should you buy a remaining or used XLITE?

It can make sense if:

• you find a well-priced, second-hand XLITE 06 with its power meter included, which adds real value;
• you want a race geometry bike with 32 mm tyre clearance and don't need the newest aero gains;
• you are comfortable with a press-fit bottom bracket and integrated cockpit maintenance.

Choose the Shave instead if:

• you want new-bike warranty and support without hunting for stock;
• you want up to 35–36 mm tyre clearance;
• the lower drag figure and lighter FFX frame matter to you.

Whatever you buy second-hand, work through this checklist:

1. Inspect the frame and fork for cracks, deep chips and impact marks, especially around the bottom bracket, head tube and dropouts.
2. Confirm the power meter is included, pairs with your head unit and reads plausibly. Check whether it's a crank-based unit (SRAM) or a crank-arm pod (4iiii).
3. Check crank length and bar width against your fit; Rose's stock sizes run 170–175 mm cranks and 400–420 mm bars.
4. Check the press-fit bottom bracket for creaks or play, and budget for replacement if needed.
5. Ask for proof of purchase if you hope to use Rose's warranty or crash-replacement service, and confirm the current terms with Rose.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Rose XLITE still available in 2026?

Not new. As of October 2026, Rose's race category lists only the Shave FF and Shave, and the remaining XLITE product pages show all sizes sold out. The XLITE is in Rose's support archive.

What replaced the Rose XLITE?

The Rose Shave series, sold from 5 February 2026. Rose calls the Xlite 06 the previous model on its Shave FF page.

How much does the XLITE 06 frame weigh?

Rose lists about 870 g for the XLITE 06 frame and about 1,030 g for the XLITE 04 frame, both in size 57 cm, with a shared 370 g fork.

What tyre size fits the XLITE?

Up to 700 x 32c, according to Rose's frame-details PDF. The bikes were sold with 28 mm tyres.

Did every XLITE 06 come with a power meter?

For the 2025 model year, Rose's press release says all four XLITE 06 builds came with a power meter. Earlier listings vary, so check the exact bike.

What bottom bracket does the XLITE use?

A press-fit BB86: Shimano SM-BB72-41B or SRAM DUB PF Road 86.5.

Final verdict

The Rose XLITE was a well-specified, direct-sales race bike. The 870 g XLITE 06 frame, power meters on every 2025 06 build, in-house 60 mm wheels and race geometry made it strong value at launch. In 2026, though, it is a discontinued model. Buy one only as a good-value used or leftover bike, and check its condition carefully. If you want a new Rose race bike, look at the Shave FF, which improves on the XLITE in tyre clearance, frame weight and Rose's quoted aero figure.

Official sources

• Rose race bikes (current: Shave FF and Shave) and Shave FF
• Rose XLITE 06 Ultegra Di2 and XLITE 06 Force AXS
• Rose XLITE 04 105 Di2 Advanced
• Rose XLITE frame-details PDF (V2022.07) and XLITE support archive
• Rose One-Piece Race Cockpit

Equipment mentioned in this guide

• Shimano SM-BB72-41B press-fit bottom bracket
• Schwalbe Pro One 700x28 tubeless road tyre
• Shimano Di2 BT-DN300 internal battery

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