Relaxed seating position, good vertical compliance and a gear range suitable for the mountains – this is what makes a modern marathon road bike like the STEVENS Ventoux, TOUR’s editors say about this bike category in its March 2018 special test edition. This category has been responsible for road bikes’ increasing popularity within the last few years.

At first sight, the Ventoux’s geometry wasn’t very different from STEVENS’ race-oriented road bikes like the Comet or the Izoard Pro. The head tube for example was a little taller and therefore the handle bar a little higher. This way, depending on the number of spacers, one would sit a little more upright. Also, the components selected from the Custom Configurator like “super-wide” 28mm Continental Grand Prix II, carbon seat post and plush handlebar tape would provide additional comfort.

Sportiness and comfort in the best sense of the word were also provided by the frameset itself. In the test field of 45 bikes it was the stiffest and its good marks in the sub-categories “downhill” (steering) and “acceleration” added up to the verdict “extremely stable”. Tour’s conclusion about the ride characteristics: “If you like the moderately sporty seating position, you can only win with this bike.” Handling and seating position are quite neutral in the best sense of the word.

Among the “very good” specs of the Ventoux that can be selected from the Custom Configurator are DT Swiss PR 1400 Dicut wheels and a full electronic Shimano Ultegra Di2 compact drivetrain. All in all the Ventoux in frame size 56 cm weighed in at 7.2 kg (15.9 lbs) and received an overall mark of 1.7 by Tour – the fourth best of 24 marathon road bikes.

Conclusion: “For those who like the moderately sporty seating position, the Ventoux is a winner. It is extremely directionally stable, quite light and very well spec’d.”

The STEVENS Ventoux is available in the Custom Configurator in many spec options for a personalized fit in frame sizes 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62 cm. There is a choice of eight drive trains with different gear options, eight wheelsets and many fit options like handlebar width, stem and crank length up to the colour of the cable housings. Those who prefer to slow down with hydraulic disc brakes can opt for the STEVENS Ventoux Disc.