BIKE magazine had the "ten fastest bikes of the world“ tested in „race mode“ by two riders who got to know how to do this. Georg Egger, German Cross Country Champion in the U23 category, and Simon Stiebjohann, German Marathon Vice Champion, sped over a demanding course with the bikes: uphills, gravel roads, singletrail downhills with drop, steep serpentines, North-Shore elements and pumptracks.

STEVENS Sonora SL Di2 performed convincingly in this varied test just like it did in the laboratory and got graded „super“. All in all, the highend hardtail was awarded the second-best score, 130.5 points, in this field of ten.

What the testers especially liked about Sonora SL was its uphill performance thanks to its DT Swiss XR 1501 Spline system wheels, its stiff bottom bracket area and a weight of 9.23 kg in size 18“. The test bikes' average was 9.3 kg. The short, sloping top tube contributed to the 29er's strong forward thrust and agile handling, editors wrote. And also the 75 mm stem was of advantage in the hectic direction changes of a race start.

The wide riser handlebars do not only "keep other riders at a distance, but also allow for a good overview.“ And as soon as a gap opens „the XTR Di2 changes gears quick as lightning and you can react immediately.“

The carbon seatpost which is widely exposed due to the deep-drawn top tube provides a lot of flexibility and performed as convincingly as the other specs.

Georg Egger, German Cross-Country Champion in the U23 category, summarizes: "The bike is very compact which makes it an agile ride on trails and in narrow bends. The Rock-Shox RS-1 and Shimano's XTR Di2 leave nothing to be desired.“

Conclusion: Its agile handling makes the Sonora a responsive racebike.

STEVENS Sonora SL Di2 is available in frame sizes 16“ (27.5“ wheels), 18“, 20“ and 22“ (29er). Specced with Shimano's electronic XTR Di2 the hardtail is priced at 6,699 euros. Alternately BIKE features STEVENS Sonora SL with manual gearshift for 5.499 euros.