Endurance test mileage: 1,962 kilometres | 43,020 metres in altitude
The requirements were clear: the bike had to be light and robust. I still swear by old-school aluminium frames. After all, the bike was supposed to accompany me on many multi-day tours in the Alps, i.e. serve as a real work tool. If the luggage is already heavy and plentiful, the bike should be weight-optimised. The Stevens Jura offers very good conditions for this. I was particularly impressed by the surprisingly low weight of 11.7 kg. I had to get used to the competition-orientated marathon geometry, although it doesn't require the rider to adopt an overly stretched posture. With a few test laps on the Isar and on low mountain tours in the Black Forest, I slowly got to grips with the new "work racer".
On long, not particularly steep climbs, the Stevens is completely in its element. On tricky trails and steep descents, it's rather difficult, especially due to the geometry and the relatively short suspension travel. But that's not what it was designed for. With a little tuning, the marathon racer mutates into a proper touring bike: a 22 mm chainring at the front instead of a 24 mm one noticeably improves the climbing characteristics, so that I hardly had to get out of the saddle even on the brutal final ascent to the Anna-Schutz-Haus in East Tyrol. Replacing the sporty Schwalbe Rocket Ron and Thunder Burt tyres with Conti X-King tyres slows you down, but gives you more traction and the desired safety on gravel bends. And for more long-distance comfort, I swapped the original handlebar grips for Ergon GX-1s. The XTR complete package always worked flawlessly like quartz clockwork anyway.
Step by step, a new love affair with bikes developed. Admittedly, with teething troubles, because after the very first few kilometres the Stevens was already annoying with a hellish creaking noise, which occurred again after around 1200 km. Greasing all the bottom brackets and replacing some of the bearings finally saved the day.
CONCLUSION: weighing less than 12 kg, a robust marathon racer suitable for touring. However, it was love at second sight, as the relationship began with annoying creaking.
Functionality 4 out of 6 points
Durability 5 out of 6 points
DEFECTS | MAINTENANCE
- 15 km: all bearings greased - Loud creaking is annoying right from the start.
- 1218 km: Industrial bearing replaced - The creaking is back! Two industrial bearings at the rocker pivot point were running rough and will be replaced with new bearings, other bearings will be regreased.
- 1313 km: Brake pads changed - The pads on the Shimano XTR brakes lasted an amazingly long time by my standards.
lasted an astonishingly long time.
TUNING
- 50 km: Increased seating comfort - The Oxygen saddle was swapped for a Selle Italia SLR.
- 70 km: Tyre change - Schwalbe Rocket Ron and Thunder Burt had to make way for the Conti X-King for more grip and puncture protection.
- 200 km: Gear ratio optimised - 22 instead of 24 teeth on the small chainring smooth out even long
climbing sections and maximise your time in the saddle.
- 350 km: Handles replaced - Ergon GX-1 screw grips with a small wing have been fitted for greater comfort on extended tours.
What the readers say: "As I'm not the most experienced rider, the bike compensates for a lot and I have a very safe riding experience. The lockout for the fork and shock with just one lever is fantastic." Sascha Weber, Facebook
The tester: Armin Herb, cycle journalist; 57 years/1.67 m/63 kg
Rider profile: As a classic touring biker, Armin prefers promising uphills without cable car support. He prefers to ride downhill on flowing trails.
Favourite areas: Chiemgau Alps, Tyrol, Trentino, Karwendel, Zugspitz region
Relationship highlights: Hut tour - from Lienz in East Tyrol into the Hohe Tauern National Park, 63 km and 2712 metres in altitude. No problem for the gently tuned marathon bike, not even the steep ramp to the Anna-Schutzhaus.
