German bike road magazine RennRad performed a long-term test of three months on the the STEVENS Vuelta and concludes: ”The frame kit is a long-lasting base to build a dream bike for pragmatists with comfort and well-balanced riding characteristics.”
Road bikes with high-quality aluminium frames do not have to stay shelf warmers despite road bike technology long having entered the carbon age. The STEVENS Vuelta, built from the Custom Program with Shimano Ultegra gruppo and Mavic Ksyrium wheels, is the best example for this, concludes RennRad after a three-months test.
Well-constructed and specced aluminium road bikes are still top notch, says RennRad, and using a Scandium alloy frame the STEVENS Vuelta is one of the lightest of its kind. ”What sets the STEVENS Vuelta apart is its frame made from a scandium alloy,” says RennRad and explains: ”Scandium is a rare element, it is complicated to extract and very expensive (about 13,000 Euros per kilogram). Used in amounts of up to 2 % it vastly increases an aluminium alloy’s strength by up to 20 % - which is also how much thinner and therefore lighter you can make the tubing’s walls.”
So the Vuelta set of frame and full carbon fork weighs in at 1066 grams in size 56. Its anodized surface saves another couple of ounces compared to paint. This surface is also extremely resistant to scratches and chipping. The frame is prepared for internal cable routing as well as electronic shifting.
"Riding characteristics are well-balanced, nothing to complain about stiffness."
The editors chose an Ultegra gruppo and Mavic Ksyrium wheels with care to build a ”robust but light and reasonably priced aluminium road bike.” The editors weighed the Vuelta at 7.5kg (16.5lbs) and the retail price of 2.546 Euros is quite reasonable.
The Vuelta’s riding characteristics are well-balanced, head tube and bottom bracket stiffness leave nothing to complain about, writes RennRad. Seating position was not too sporty thanks to an additional spacer - the fork can be delivered uncut upon request. The myth of aluminium road bikes being a harsh ride is outdated: ”Due to a slim and flexible 27.2mm Scorpo Comfort SL seatpost and 25mm wide Continental Grand Prix 4000S II tires you get quite comfortable riding characteristics, heavy shocks are safely eliminated.”
RennRad’s conclusion:
”Tough every-day use in Central European early-season conditions could do no harm to the personalized bike: The frame proved to be very resistant to scratches, the specs to be very long-lasting. This is a bike for pragmatists who want have fun with their trusted steed as long as possible.”
STEVENS Vuelta is available with a total of nine different gruppos and a vast choice of other specs. The model tested retails in Germany for 2,546 Euros. The frame set including a full carbon fork is available, too.
