The STEVENS Xenith was particularly impressive with its light yet stiff frame, low overall weight and outstanding riding stability.

The Xenith can be customised in the STEVENS Custom Bikes configurator according to the customer's wishes. From countless component groups, brakes, wheels or cockpits, a very personal "dream build" can be created with just a few clicks, based on requirements, ideas or preferences. The TOUR test editorial team's verdict: "The components from the Stevens modular system make the marathon bike [...] lighter and more comfortable."

The Xenith can be individually customised in the STEVENS Custom Bikes configurator. From countless component groups, brakes, wheels or cockpits, a very personal "dream build" can be created with just a few clicks, based on requirements, wishes or preferences. The TOUR test editorial team's verdict: "The components from the Stevens modular system make the marathon bike [...] lighter and more comfortable." The ingenious construction of the Xenith carbon frame ensures that torsional rigidity is not neglected.

In general, the Xenith knows how to impress when it comes to frame stiffness. In the TOUR laboratory test, the carbon work of art scored top marks in the areas of front stiffness and bottom bracket stiffness. This results in outstanding steering precision, especially at high speeds and on descents, as well as efficient propulsion when pedalling out of the saddle and sprinting to the finish.

The seating position of the endurance bike also helps here, which according to the TOUR test riders is "comparatively stretched" but never uncomfortable. The extensive STEVENS Custom Bikes configurator allows for individual customisation. The handlebar width and stem length of the cockpit can be selected according to your own requirements.

The basic geometry of the frame with its sloping top tube is finely tuned for long rides. Due to the relatively short seat tube, the seat post is extended far out and noticeably absorbs shocks," the TOUR test editors found.

In combination with the lightweight DT Swiss ER 1400 Dicut 25 wheelset, a lightweight Deda carbon handlebar and the current generation of the Xenith frame, which saves up to 15 percent in weight thanks to optimised fibre and resin use, the bottom line is a low total weight of just 8.2 kilograms - a good 200 to 800 grams lighter than the competitor bikes in the test.

All the bikes in the test have the new mechanical Shimano 105 12-speed groupset in common. It adopts many components from the electronic 105 Di2 groupset and impresses with the exceptional ergonomics of its newly developed shift/brake levers, low weight and high reliability.

With equivalent component groups in all test candidates, the frame-specific attributes were the deciding factor in the comparison test. And these are so outstanding on the STEVENS Xenith that TOUR magazine honoured the bike with an excellent test score of 1.8. Incidentally, the only "1 mark" in this test.