Marathon road bikes like STEVENS Ventoux Disc are just the right bikes for ”friends of the long distance and fun-oriented occasional riders”, TOUR says. They differ from competition road bikes by their more upright seating position.

This position, ”which is a treat for riders who do not compete in actual races” results from a relatively short distance between saddle and handlebar but also from the somewhat higher handlebar. For the same reasons the seating position on the Ventoux Disc is a little more comfortable. When reducing the number of spacers under the stem though, you can achieve a quite sporty position.

The difference between race-oriented road bike and marathon bike also becomes obvious in the specs: tires of 25mm even 28mm width – like mounted on the Ventoux – are state of the art. Wider tires are a little heavier but roll easier than narrower tires pumped up to the same pressure and provide better cushioning on uneven surfaces.

Other sure signs for a marathon bike are wide-spread gears with 50/34 teeth compact cranks and an 11-32 teeth cassette – like mounted in the Ventoux Disc. Though for the time being disc brakes are not legal for officially sanctioned races, they become increasingly popular with marathon road bikes. Their advantage: Better modulation and far better baking in the wet.

Disadvantage: A higher weight of up to one kg. With the Ventoux you have the choice of either disc brakes or conventional rim brakes.

The STEVENS Ventoux Disc can be custom-spec’d to personal preferences such as frame size, stem length, handlebar width and crank length but also component group. The comfort-oriented specs of the tested bike fit the concept perfectly, TOUR said: Mounted on wide DT-Swiss rims the top-shelf tires (Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II) are effectively 30mm wide. Electronic Di2 shifters, very low steep-hill gears, state-of-the-art brakes and a handlebar wrapped in thick, well-padded tape provide lots of riding fun even after many hours on the road.”

Conclusion: Very stable frame, countless spec options, many sizes: The Ventoux Disc feels very quick when accelerating and is a nimble handler. With the chosen specs it provides lots of riding fun even after many hours on the road.

With the custom-chosen specs including Shimano Ultegra Di2 group plus disc brakes, DT-Swiss RR Dicut wheels the STEVENS Ventoux Disc sells for approx 4,500 Euros. Using the STEVENS Custom Configurator you can spec the Ventoux Disc – among others – with seven shifting groups and six wheelsets.