The optimised, sporty and comfortable seating position of the premium trekking bike is particularly well received by the editors of the Radfahren magazine. It not only guarantees relaxed hours in the saddle, but also allows perfect bike control in urban environments as well as on long tours.
As one of the lightest bikes in the test, the Avantgarde impresses with its agile handling. "The bike is nippy and ready to go," say the editors of Radfahren. One reason for the excellent riding characteristics is the balanced seating position, which finds great approval among the test editors. "Thanks to the uniform saddle-handlebar level, the rider takes a seat on the Avantgarde in a classic and trekking-typical slightly sporty manner."
In addition to the handling, the specification around the popular Shimano Deore XT group also knows how to convince the editors. But not only the shifting components are designed to be high-quality and practical. "With the wide, urban profiled tires and strong 36-spoke wheels, the bike spans the bridge between urban everyday life and packed travel," say the Radfahren editors. At the same time, as befits a trekking bike, the Avantgarde never relies on pot-flat trails. Thanks to the finely responsive suspension fork with 63 millimeters of travel and high volume tires, even bad paths are smoothed efficiently.
Fatigue-free riding even on long distances is made possible by the pleasantly wide handlebar with ergonomic grips that have a relieving palm rest. According to the Radfahren test riders, the cockpit not only allows "very good control over the directly responsive steering, but also appealing ergonomics suitable for touring".
Thus the conclusion of the Radfahren magazine is correspondingly positive, with an overall rating of "Very Good", because "The Stevens convinces with inconspicuousness and thus does a strikingly good job", while being "Perfectly suited for everyday use and moderate touring."
