Solid technology at a fair price, individually configurable, tailored to the customer's budget and needs - this is what the Hanseatic brand has stood for for many years. Less so for high-end technology and pioneering trends, but in 2021 the Hamburg-based company launched its first really fast aero racer, the Arcalis. It doesn't look particularly unique in terms of design, but has already impressed with good results in several TOUR tests.
The Stevens Arcalis in the lab test...
The 2024 edition of the model has been carefully renovated with a slightly lighter frame, which means that the Arcalis just about makes it into the top league of single-seater candidates. In the most important disciplines of weight and aerodynamics, the Arcalis performs quite well, especially considering the fair price. Even if all the stops have to be pulled out of the Stevens kit, from fast wheels to aerodynamic carbon handlebars. The fact that it still only just makes it into this field is due to a fundamental handicap: the comfort of the seat post is hardly worth mentioning, bumps in the road are passed on to the rider almost unfiltered.
... and in practice
This detracts from the riding pleasure on long distances. On short laps and in race mode, the Stevens impresses with high riding stability, a distinctly sporty riding position and razor-sharp handling.
Conclusion on the Stevens Aeroboliden
Without a doubt a great deal, nominally the price is only undercut by the Cube. One could grumble about the cheap-looking own-brand saddle and the lack of a power meter in the test configuration. But all this could be remedied in the modular system and even with the most expensive components you can't push the price over the 10,000 euro mark. The modular system becomes really attractive with a much more limited budget. For less than 5,000 euros, for example, you can put together a speedster with a mechanical Shimano 105 and fast carbon wheels, which may be heavier but is hardly likely to be any slower aerodynamically.
Facts & figures about the Stevens Arcalis
- Price: 8472 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.1 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 209 watts
- Frame sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 1,9
Geometry data
- Seat/top/head tube: 535/550/141 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 563/391 millimetres/1.44
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 607/576 millimetres/1.05
- Wheelbase/caster: 995/57 millimetres
Equipment of the racing bike
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 50/37, 10-33 t.) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: SRAM Red HRD (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Conti Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 25 mm (eff.: 28 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 50
- Impeller weights: 1115/1502 grams (front/rear)
Measured values of the Stevens
- Weight of complete wheel: 7130 grammes | Grade: 2.0
- Air resistance: 209 Watt | Grade: 1.7
- Front stiffness: 8.1 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 58 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
- Rear comfort: 241 N/mm | Grade: 4.0
- Comfort front: 82 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Fair price, extensive modular system
- Minus: little comfort at the rear
The 13 racers in the comparison
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size of 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: The aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Air resistance (25 per cent): Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
Rear comfort (10 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Comfort Front (5 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Switching (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is evaluated, but the function of the interaction between brake body, pads, rims or discs and cables as well as cable routing: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or on the basis of driving impressions.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
