“It’s a real pleasure to sprint with this bike”, says RoadBIKE about the carbon road bike in its 5.2019 edition. The bike was spec’d using STEVENS’ configurator with a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and Mavic Ksyrium wheels. The test included bikes selling for around 3,000 Euros with and specs just leaving very little to be desired for ambitious amateur racers.

The STEVENS Xenon was an example for the qualities rim-brake equipped bikes still have: “A frame weighing less than 1,000 grams, a fork with only 335 grams and the light-weight wheels make the Xenon almost fly up climbs. Every pedal stroke is directly converted into forward motion.”

The low, but not too stretched-out seating position was adequate for this riding style. And due to its stiff frame the Xenon reacts quickly when descending and to changes of direction. The short wheelbase also underlines the Xenon’s agile character. At the same time “this road machine does not lack the necessary comfort for longer distances.” Within the test field the Xenon was more on the comfortable side of the competition. In addition, the “very nimble sportster” featured the second-lightest frameset and scored the best marks in the sub-categories “wheels”, “acceleration” and “climbing”.

Conclusion: “Pedal strokes are directly converted into forward motion, to sprint with this bike is a real pleasure. At the same time it offers the necessary comfort for longer distances.”

The STEVENS Xenon is available in sizes 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 60, and 62 cm in Carrara White and Slate Grey. The frameset alone is available, too. The tested bike assembled using the STEVENS Custom Configurator with Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, Mavic Ksyrium wheelset, Continental Grand Prix 5000 tires and carbon-seatpost.