Just when the staff at the STEVENS booth at the Riva Bike Festival had unpacked the Whaka+ prototype the guys from BIKE magazine came by to have a very close look at the bike. They concluded their extensive report with the words: ”We can’t wait to see the production version.” The metallic red Whaka+ ES will be available to the start of the 2016 season and with new, wider tires and rims.

The ”+ ” stands for a plus in tire width: Up to 3 inches. BIKE says about the voluminous rubbers: ”Plus Size seems to be the current trend and every manufacturer wants to jump on the band wagon.” The semi fatbike tires offer more grip and add cushioning to the 140mm of travel resulting in more riding fun.

Whaka+ is based on the well-known Whaka models, yet frame and fork have been modified to accommodate the wider rubbers. So the chainstays run straight through to the dropouts. They are also a couple of millimeters shorter making the Whaka+ more nimble. This is made possible by the new Shimano XT front derailleur which is actuated laterally.

New measurements for wheels, cranks and fork: 6mm more width at the rearstays and even 10mm at the front enable stiffer wheels. BIKE continues: ”The manufacturer really took care of the cable routing. It’s all internal and the cables are covered by a rubber coat to prevent annoying rattling inside the frame.” The STEVENS Whaka+ ES is equipped with the new Shimano XT brakes and shifting components including cranks with two chain rings.