Even in the fully age, race hardtail have lost none of their attraction, writes “Mountainbike” magazine in their current issue. “There’s nothing lighter, faster, more aggressive than these machines!”

The current generation of 29er hard tails is not only lighter, faster, stiffer and more direct than any fully can ever be, but they’re also knighted by versatility and riding comfort. STEVENS 29er Sonora 2.0 SL won the competition in which 18 carbon hardtails between 3.999 and 4.999 Euro took part.

Mountainbike predicted the new STEVENS Sonora 2.0 SL ”may easily be one of the raciest STEVENS bikes of all time,”. As a complete bike it actually was not an outperformer in any of the categories tested in the lab and on the trail. But in its overall set-up with an ”ideal slightly forward geometry” and light wheelset is was ”aggressive enough for uphill bursts and relaxed enough for the marathon distance.”

Recommended use is therefore stretches from cross country racing, marathon and touring right into all mountain. With this Hanseatic express ”you can go pedal to the metal like there was no tomorrow”, writes ”Mountainbike”.

Thanks to its flat steerer tube angle and a well-tuned fork ”it outperforms most of the competition by far”. Yet it stays agile and likes to corner, and the specs are ”just exquisite.”

Being the only bike in the test equipped with a Shimano XTR double crankset, the ”feather light, top shelf specced and awesomely racy STEVENS Sonora 2.0 SL” at 9.14 kg (20 lbs 2 oz) comes very close to the magic 9 kg (20 lbs) benchmark. And, also as the only bike in test, its frame is equipped to fit the new Sideswing front derailleur from Shimano which can be recognized by the cable routing running through the down tube. On the trail this derailleur shifts even faster than we’re already used to from Shimano,” concludes ”Mountainbike”.

Conclusion:
„The Sonora may not be an outperformer in any single category, yet it is literally the best race mountain bike in this test: Ascetic, fast, determined to win.”

Like most of the carbon hardtails in the test the Sonora 2.0 SL offers ”high or highest torsional rigidity” in the bottom bracket and steerer tube area, and the Rock Shox RS-1 upside down fork mounted on the Sonora 2.0 SL increases stiffness to a level unknown before. The trend toward wider, and therefore stiffer, rims contributes to a better lateral rigidity just like the thru-axles that come with the Sonora 2.0 SL. Despite the rear triangle being somewhat harsh, the overall win, achieved by great handling and top specs, goes to Hamburg, says ”Mountainbike”.

The STEVENS Sonora 2.0 SL is available for 4.999 Euro at your local STEVENS dealer. With the new electronical Shimano XTR Di2 it’s available for 6.499 Euro.