Marathon bikes for around 4000 euros: The Stevens Izoard Pro on test

Classic, sporty, good? The Stevens bears the unmistakable signature of the Hamburg-based bike manufacturer, whose models are traditionally race-orientated. The Izoard Pro, named after a French pass legend, is no exception and scores with its agile character without a lot of frills. In direct comparison with the other candidates, the extremely lively steering is striking. Compared to typical endurance bikes, the Stevens is almost nervous and longs for winding roads. The main reason for this is the short wheelbase, which at 990 millimetres is based on racing bikes.

Fast, narrow tyres round off the sporty handling. However, the 28-millimetre tyres, now also standard on competition bikes, have the disadvantage that they contribute comparatively little to suspension comfort. Because neither the seat post nor the handlebars, both made of aluminium, are particularly gentle on the rider, it can be quite jarring on poor terrain. The frame does not leave room for wider tyres. Thanks to the lightweight carbon wheels, the Stevens compensates for the relatively heavy frame set, but overall it only achieves an average result.

Stevens Izoard Pro: sporty overall package

In the mountains, the North German plant copes well with a slight reduction in the lowest gear. However, in view of the sporty overall package with a rather stretched seating position, our test riders would have liked a little more assertiveness in the form of less weight in sprint duels. In addition to pre-configured standard bikes (from €2399), the Izoard Pro is also available via the in-house configurator. It starts from 2599 euros.

The gears, wheels and handlebars on our custom version are at extra cost. The modular system is far from being fully developed: with a lightweight high-end drive and fast aero wheels, a respectable racing machine can be put on the tyres - compared to the expensive specialists at a relatively low price of around 7000 euros. With the Xenith and Aspin models, Stevens also offers other endurance racing bikes.

Stevens Izoard Pro: Info & test grade

• Price: 4446 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 8.4 kilos
• Frame sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 (test size bolded)
• TOUR grade: 2,3

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 532/565/160 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 592/385 millimetres/1.54
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 638/567 millimetres/1.13
• Wheelbase/caster: 990/63 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Rival AXS (2x12; 48/35, 10-36 t.) | Grade: 1.0 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Brakes: Sram Rival (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Tyres: Schwalbe Pro One 28 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Grade: 1.0 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Impellers: Zipp 303 S
• Impeller weights: 1190/1656 grams (front/rear)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 8420 grammes | Grade: 3.7 (25 % share of the overall grade)
• Rear comfort: 183 N/mm | Grade: 3.0 (20 % share of the overall grade)
• Comfort front: 111 N/mm | Grade: 3.3 (10 % share of the overall grade)
• Front stiffness: 10.9 N/mm | Grade: 1.0 (10 % share of the overall grade)
• Bottom bracket stiffness: 82 N/mm | Grade: 1.0 (10 % share of the overall grade)
• Lacquer: Grade: 1.0 (5 % share of the overall grade)
• Maintenance/adjustment: Grade: 1.0 (5 % share of the overall grade)

Advantages and disadvantages of the Stevens Izoard Pro

• Plus: Lightweight carbon wheels
• Minus: Low spring comfort

All 12 bikes in the comparison test

• Canyon Endurace CF SLX 7 Di2
• Cervélo Caledonia 105 Di2
• Cube Agree C:62 SLX
• Focus Paralane 8.8 >> available here
• Giant Daffy Advanced 0 >> available here
• Koga Roqa Premium >> available here
• Merida Scultura Endurance Rival Edition
• Rose Reveal 04 105 Di2 >> available here
• Scott Addict 30 >> available here
• Stevens Izoard Pro
• Storck Fascenario.3 Comp
• Veto B983

>> We have compiled all the information about our test here.