Stoll S1 Race in the TOUR single tent test
Born on trails: The slogan recognises the roots of the Swiss bicycle brand Stoll as a manufacturer of mountain bikes. This is not surprising, as Thomas Stoll, a former MTB pro, is jointly responsible for the brand. When the runner-up in the European Championships built the first bikes in a double garage seven years ago, there was nothing to suggest that they were road bikes. But it's not just the garage that has since given way to a modern wooden building as the company headquarters; something has also changed in the Swiss company's portfolio. Stoll has been offering the S1 road bike since 2021.
Another ex-professional has played a decisive role in this - but this time one from the road. Lukas Spengler, winner of the Paris-Roubaix U23 race, "contributed the expertise to tackle the project", says Stoll about his compatriot. He joined Stoll Bikes as a mechanic after retiring early in his career.
Stoll S1 Race - Made in Germany
The special feature of the S1: each racer is customised, and the test bike for TOUR is an example of what Stoll can produce. The rough carbon look, which is barely concealed by the few coloured accents, is striking and matches the technical look of the angular frame, whose lines are sometimes reminiscent of Italian super sports cars. It is all the more remarkable that the "Made in Germany" quality seal is emblazoned on the frameset.
Under the UCI limit
The frame and fork do not come from the Far East, but are manufactured by the carbon specialists at Bike Ahead just outside Würzburg. The frame is laminated and baked by hand in a negative mould. The weight and frame stiffness can be customised to the wishes of the future rider using two different carbon layouts. Variations in the frame geometry are not possible, however, and there are only three frame sizes to choose from.
So you shouldn't confuse customised with made-to-measure. Optionally, a small storage compartment can be integrated into the down tube of the frame. "This is how prototypes are normally produced," explains Stoll. It can take up to two weeks for a frame set to be ready. Including final assembly in Switzerland, an S1 is ready to ride within four weeks.
Similar to the T1 trail mountain bike, which our sister magazine BIKE showered with praisethe S1 Race is also defined by its low weight. It weighs in at exactly 6.6 kilos. In the TOUR test, only three models with disc brakes were lighter, with the S-Works Aethos (6.2 kilos) leading the ranking. The low weight of the Stoll is partly due to the frame set (1380 grams) and partly due to the high-quality equipment; the wheels in particular (2444 grams) with Duke rims and carbon Ti hubs are record-breakingly light.
On the road, the S1 Race masters all challenges such as climbs, descents and sprints flawlessly - and feels relatively fast. Although 222 watts of pedalling power, which is necessary to ride the bike at 45 km/h, is no proof of outstanding aerodynamics; compared to other very light bikes such as theCervélo R5 or the Wilier Zero SLR, however, it is a whole class more aerodynamic. The riding position is race-like, the suspension comfort with 28 millimetre wide tyres is decent. A maximum of 32 millimetre tyres fit through the frame and fork.
Stoll S1 Race: One frame, three versions
Stoll offers its customers a wide range of customisation options. Gear group, wheels, cockpit: almost every component can be selected from a large catalogue, and free bike fitting is possible at the company headquarters near Schaffhausen. In addition to the sporty Race, Stoll offers the S1 frame as a "Gran Turismo" with a more upright seating position and "Strade Bianche" with greater tyre clearance.
Exclusivity has its price. The test bike with expensive high-end components costs 12,800 euros. A more simply equipped model with Shimano's Ultegra Di2 is priced at around 9650 euros (S1 Silver), the frame set at just under 5800 euros. Stoll is aware that his bikes will remain the exclusive pleasure of a relatively small clientele.
Since the beginning, he has sold around 120 bikes, the majority of which roll along Swiss roads. The top models from well-known manufacturers cost a similar amount, but can hardly be customised to the buyer's wishes in the same way as the custom-made Swiss racing bikes.
The Stoll S1 Race in detail
- Price12,800 Euro
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 896/410/74 grammes
- Frame sizes** 51, 54, 56
- Seat/top tube/head tube 500/555/155 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 557/384 millimetres/1.45
- Wheelbase/caster 995/62 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 53/36, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Duke Baccara C SL 2; Carbon Ti X-Hub/Schwalbe Pro One TLE 28 mm (front/rear: 1,065/1,379 grams)
Measured values & individual grades*****
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.6 kilos Grade: 1,7
- Steering head stiffness: 102 Nm/° Note: 1,0
- Lateral stiffness fork: 42 N/mm Note: 3,0
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 61 N/mm Note: 1,0
- Seatpost spring stiffness: 153 N/mm Note: 1,7
- Aerodynamics******: 222 watts Note: 3,0
The overall TOUR score for the Stoll S1 Race is 1.7
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer information Test size bold.
***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched sitting position, 1.60 means an upright sitting position.
****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
*****Single noteswhich are weighted differently in the overall grade, are only partially printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are shown with rounded decimal places.
******Aerodynamics Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling leg dummy.
Julian Schultz
Editor
