Its frame made the first glance on the Randonneur take a little longer: “The light and well-designed frame made from triple-butted aluminium tubes shaped according to the respective tensile and compressive forces excels with nicely routed cables, classic paint job, an ultra-sturdy derailleur hanger and many well-positioned eyelets for pannier rack and mudguards plus two sets of bottle cage bosses.” In addition the mudguards and fork would nicely fit the frame, Radtouren magazine continues. The challenge for developing a trekking bikes selling for around 1,200 Euros in the so-called “reasonable category” was to meet the demand in ride characteristics and quality specs at an attractive price.
The Randonneur received a 1.6 (A-) mark, the second-best in a seven-strong test field and was attested to be the “most dynamic ride”. It also accumulated by far the most points in the test categories “ride characteristics” and “travel qualities”. In terms of specs it was also among the best.
The road test then confirmed the positive first impression, the editors continue: “of all the bikes the STEVENS is the most dynamic in every situation. Even with 25kg (55lbs) of cargo it’s a quick-manoeuvring bike.” And it provides a rather forward but not too stretched-out riding position. The specs with among others a Shutter Precision hub dynamo, Shimano SLX/Deore 3x10-speed drive train and classic V-brakes matched the sporty character well.
Radtouren also liked the sturdy dropout and the eyelet-reinforced rims due to their expected durability as well as the pannier rack-integrated LED tail light.
Conclusion: The bike is not a randonneur in a classical sense, rather a quite sporty, yet fully-capable trekking bike. Riders who like to ride fast curves with a little more pressure on the handlebar will be very well-served with this bike.
The STEVENS Randonneur in Velvet Grey is available in sized Gents 52, 55, 58 and 61cm, Lady/Trapezoid in 46, 50 and 54cm for 1,199 Euros. With hydraulic disc brakes the Randonneur Disc is available in Stealth Black for 1,299 Euros at certified STEVENS dealers.
