The cyclocross bike market is growing, the spectrum of uses, from winter bike for the occasional outdoor-workout to the classic ’cross race bike, is expanding. And STEVENS offered an exceptionally broad range of cyclocross bikes: ”The guys from Hamburg offer bikes of any price category made from aluminium or carbon, even in rare sizes from extremely small to super large.”

For the test of cyclocross bikes in their November/December 2016 edition RennRad Magazine’s editors had chosen the STEVENS Vapor with aluminium frame and carbon fork plus the ”by now mandatory” disc brakes, but also in many other aspects like the flatmount brake attachment the Vapor was up to date.

The hydraulic Shimano BR-RS805 disc brakes especially combined with the other Ultegra components left a very good impression in the field test. The finishing kit made by STEVENS’ in-house brand Oxygen ”reliably served their purpose”, though the handlebar could have been a little wider according to the testers’ verdict.

This is what the editors had to say about the bike’s ride characteristics: ”Stevens stays true to the classic ’cross geometry. The somewhat elevated bottom bracket and the short top tube provide a race-like seating position.” The short stem offers direct steering and ”the Vapor playfully floats over roots and little jumps."

Due to these characteristics and specs the Vapor had earned the editors’ ”Best Buy Tip”. ”It’s a classic fast, nimble and robust race tool.”

Conclusion: The Vapor is proof of Stevens’ vast experience in the sport of Cyclocross. It’s a very well-balanced fast race bike with well-chosen specs for a fair price.

The STEVENS Vapor is available in frame sizes 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62cm in either White or Velvet Black for 1,999 Euros at your certified STEVENS dealer.