Although Stevens recently gave its competition racer a slightly lighter frame, the North Germans sent the first generation of the model, which has been available since 2021, to the test, the basis of which is slightly cheaper. Due to a price adjustment during the test period, the Arcalis still goes a little over budget; when ordering the test bike, the online configurator still spit out a price of € 5482. However, prospective customers can put together their own dream bike from a wide range of options. The most expensive bike in the test benefits greatly in the core disciplines from the carbon add-on parts that are available at extra cost: the ultra-modern cockpit from Vision with curved upper handlebars and the wheelset from Zipp reduce the weight to under eight kilograms and contribute to the good aero result.
Stevens Arcalis: Sporty, but uncomfortable
With 212 watts, the fastest bikes in the TOUR test are within reach, and with our more streamlined reference wheelset and 208 watts, it joins the ranks of the best. On the road, the stiff Stevens confirms the good measured values, the agile handling and the stretched seating position impressively underline the racing ambitions. The fact that it is still not enough to win the test is due to the weak suspension comfort. Both the seatpost and cockpit hardly give at all and shake the rider on poor road surfaces. A shortcoming that the high-quality 30-millimetre tyres can only partially compensate for.
The Arcalis can only be ordered via the configurator. Complete bikes with the first frame generation, which weighs just under 1200 grams, start at 3499 euros. The new version, which weighs not quite 100 grams less, is 200 euros more expensive. Interesting for fans of mechanical gears: Both versions can also be fitted with Shimano's non-electronic 105. If you pull out all the stops and only choose top components, the Stevens still remains well under 10,000 euros.
Stevens Arcalis
- TOUR grade: 2,1
- Price: 5612 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.8 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 212 watts
- Frame sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
Geometry
- Seat/top/top tube: 535/550/141 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 567/391 millimetres/1.45
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 627/581 millimetres/1.08
- Wheelbase/caster: 995/58 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2 x 12; 50/34, 11-34 t.) | Shimano 105 Di2 (2 x 12; 50/34, 11-34 t.) Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano 105 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT, 28 mm (eff.: 30 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Zipp 303 S
- Impeller weights: 1183/1650 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Agile handling, high-quality equipment, custom programme
- Minus: Hardly any spring comfort
Julian Schultz
Editor
