The editors’ concerns that the STEVENS P-Carpo Tour was a cumbersome heavyweight to be carried up the stairs from the cellar where the test bikes are kept were immediately dissolved with lifting the bike by the offset seat tube: ”The bike can be carried very well (...) since it’s very well-balanced,” is one of the first impressions about this sporty city cross bike.

On the road the P-Carpo Tour convinced with its perfect mix of the huge 29” tires, the 70cm wide handlebar and smooth acceleration, says Trekkingbike Magazine in its January 2017 edition [Link]. ”We never traveled that silky-smoothly! Due to the long wheelbase and rear stays (...) this tourer is really nice to handle.” Steering geometry was tuned to perfection for a very calm and stable handling resulting in a ”majestic” ride. You sit ”in” the STEVENS rather than on it.

Also the frame wouldn’t show any torsion. ”Fork, thru-axle and multiple triangles within the frame provide true steadfastness even with luggage.”

The editors also very much liked the combination of Gates belt drive and Pinion P1.18 gear box with its finely stepped gear selection and huge transmission bandwidth. These properties turn the STEVENS P-Carpo Tour into a perfectly cultivated touring bike.

This bike rolling so smoothly was also due to the easy-running, well-cushioned Schwalbe Big Apple tires. There was only one drawback: Horizontal dropouts. These would make changing wheels quite a hassle.

Conclusion: The P-Carpo looks impressive with its muscular appearance. When riding this superb tourer behaves like a purring cat.

The STEVENS P-Carpo Tour in Velvet Grey is available in sizes 17", 19" and 21" for 3,599 Euros. Without fenders and pannier rack the STEVENS P-Carpo with Pinion CR 9-speed gearbox sells for 2,999 Euros.