The Hamburg-based company could have built one of their carbon frames from their huge modular programme at this price. However, the decision to opt for the "Vuelta" aluminium frame was not a mistake, as a look at the attractive weight and the final score shows. The surprisingly light, acceptably stiff frame looks contemporary with its tapered head tube, in which a fork with a tapered steerer tube rotates. Its robust anodised surface, protected by a white and silver finish, is an argument for frequent riders in particular. The high-quality equipment with "Ultegra" groupset, Ksyrium "Elite" wheels, Ritchey's "WCS" attachments and Conti's "GP 4000 S" tyres offer long-lasting riding pleasure. There was even room in the budget for a classy "SLR" saddle with carbon struts. The riding position: between sporty and comfortable.
Order/Info: Stevens Vertriebs GmbH, phone 040/ 716070-0, www.stevensbikes.de
Weight frame/fork/headset bearing*: 1,159/456/80 g
Frame sizes**: 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 cm
Seat/steering angle: 74°/73°; seat/top/head tube: 555/560/199 mm
Wheelbase/ caster: 994/58 mm
Stack/reach***: 599/386 mm
EQUIPMENT
Fork: Stevens
Steering bearing: FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/4
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket: Shimano Ultegra (50/ 34 t.)
Wheels/tyres: Mavic Ksyrium Elite/Continental nental GP 4000 S tyres
Handlebar/stem: Ritchey WCS
Saddle/post: Selle Italia SLR Carbonio/Ritchey WCS (27.2 mm)
*weighted weights; **manufacturer's specification; test frame size greased; ***stack/reach: projected vertical or horizontal dimension from centre of bottom bracket to top edge of headset cap
