Stevens Super Prestige 1X11: The manoeuvrable crosser in the TOUR test
The bike is not a bestseller in times of the gravel boom, but characterises the history of the Hamburg-based company like no other. The brand has been involved in cross-country racing for many years and can proudly look back on 17 world championship titles and countless other medals. The condensate of this expertise is now to be incorporated into the new Super Prestige, the flagship that will carry Belgian rider Sanne Cant, among others, to her fourth World Championship title.
We took a look at the entry-level model of the Stevens Super Prestige with GRX 1x11 gearing, which is priced at a pleasantly down-to-earth 3499 euros. The icing on the cake is a classy carbon crank from Easton. The frame has classic lines, the design is striking but straightforward. New features include an integrated seat clamp, of which you can only see a recessed bolt head on the side, and the cables running under the stem.
The flattened top tube is obligatory, so that the bike can be shouldered better in running passages, but you will look in vain for attachments for bags. The geometry and therefore the handling have been copied with millimetre precision from the successful predecessor.
This means that the ride on the Stevens Super Prestige thoroughbred crosser - despite all the similarities - feels different to a gravel bike. With slightly more ground clearance, the rider sits higher above the bike, the ride is a little more wobbly, but more playful. The short wheelbase and steep angles are optimised for angled courses, and the Stevens negotiates obstacles formidably. Disadvantage: At high speeds off-road, you need to hold the handlebars firmly.
Stevens Super Prestige: Studded tyres with plenty of grip
The studded tyres, which are narrow by today's standards, have plenty of grip, but are more easily knocked off track by stones or gullies. Cross-country racers are used to this. With slightly wider tyres - up to 40 millimetres should fit through the frame and fork - the handling would calm down somewhat. However, the foot clearance to the front wheel would then be very tight.
The gearing of the Stevens Super Prestige is pleasantly graduated in the middle range, but too tight for steep hills. A double crank is available at no extra charge. Apart from that, everything on the bike is just right. Nothing rattles or creaks, all the details are well thought out and the new seat clamp works perfectly. The prices are fair: an electronic SRAM Force 1x12 drivetrain is available for just 500 euros more; the top model with Shimano's 2x11 GRX Di2 costs 4499 euros.
Stevens Super Prestige 1x11 in detail
- Price: 3499 Euro
Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1135/495/93 grammes
Frame sizes** 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60
Seat/top tube/head tube 495/575/145 millimetres
Stack/Reach/STR*** 573/375 millimetres/1.53
Wheelbase/caster 1,010/65 millimetres
Equipment
Drive/gear shift Easton EC90 SL/Shimano GRX 810 (1x11; 40, 11-34 t.)
Brakes Shimano GRX 810 (160/160 mm)
Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss C1800 Spline/Schwalbe X-One Allround TLE 33 mm (f./h. 1442/1824 g)
Measured values & individual scores*****
Weight of complete wheel 8.4 kilos Grade 2.0
Steering head stiffness 131 Nm/° Grade 1.0
Lateral stiffness fork 77 N/mm Grade 1.0
Bottom bracket stiffness 69 N/mmGrade 1.0
Seatpost spring stiffness 171 N/mm Grade 3.7
Spring rate fork 137 N/mm Grade 5.0
*Weighed weights. **Manufacturer's test size in bold. ***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal dimension from centre of bottom bracket to top of head tube; STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position. ****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if applicable. *****Individual grades, which are weighted differently in the overall grade, are only partially printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
