5,500 kilometers in 18 months – this is not quite what Roadbike’s editors consider a long-term relationship. Yet, from such an endurance test you can learn a lot more about a bike’s ride characteristics than from a usual road test. You learn how reliable the components are over a longer period of time and when a road bike does not behave as well as it should.

There was no premature brake-up between the test rider and the STEVENS Ventoux Disc rather the tester ”fell in love with the Ventoux again and again” on their many tours through the German region of the Lower Rhine, Palatinate and the Oden Forrest. One reason for that was the bike’s ”neither to sporty nor too relaxed geometry”.

The Mavic Ksyrium Disc wheels offered a comfortable as well as a stable ride. Also the hydraulic disc brakes of the RS685 designation provided reliable braking power as proven in the ’Maratona Dles Dolomites’ – a real Alpine roller coaster ride.

Yet the brakes were also subject to some criticism due to being very noisy when braking in wet conditions. Since model year 2017 this problem is solved by preparing the frame to accommodate and outfitting the wheels with QR12 thru axles.

Apart from that, according to the test report, the Dura Ace group convinced by its durability. After 4,000km the chain had to be replaced while cogset and chainrings still were good to go. Shortly before the end of the test the shift cables had to be renewed. Also the Continental GP 4000 S II may have lasted longer than roughly 4,500km if one of the tires’ flanks had not been cut by what was presumably a rock.

Test Report Conclusion:
The STEVENS Ventoux Disc is a well-balanced sportster for almost every kind of use.

Test Rider’s Conclusion:
The balanced geometry – not too comfortable, not too sporty – is exactly what I want and optimal form my type of riding!”

The STEVENS Ventoux Disc is available in the STEVENS Custom Configurator with a great variety of spec choices – such as 7 component groups and 6 wheelsets – in frame sizes 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm.

Besides the frame other parts like cranks, handlebar and stem can be adjusted to size – to exactly match the requirements for a long-term relationship. In the tested version the Ventoux Disc sells for approx. 4,200 Euros. Depending on specs, it’s available starting at 2,700 Euros.