When you hear the name Stevens, you don't immediately think of enduro bikes. Rather, the Hamburg-based bike manufacturer stands for its commitment to racing on the road and cross-country. But long-stroke bikes and from Hamburg to boot? Appearances are deceptive. With the Ridge for an extremely fair 2799 euros, Stevens is rolling out a balanced enduro bike with convincing riding characteristics that, true to company tradition, also shines in touring use. At 13.9 kilos without pedals, the weight of the Ridge is acceptable.
However, whether you have to climb well or push depends more on geometry and rear triangle performance than on weight. The Stevens scores in both categories. The steep 74.3 seat tube angle puts a lot of pressure on the front wheel, while the rear suspension is sensitive and remains pleasantly stable even without a platform. When things get really steep, a quick turn of the Rock Shox Lyrik is all it takes and the fork drops a good 40 millimetres. Downhill, a little more attention is required. The too narrow handlebars and the somewhat thick knobbly grips are at the expense of handling. You'll also be looking in vain for a chain guide on the Ridge. Things that are easy to fix. Compared to the fork, the plush rear suspension is less progressive. The seat tube, which is not rubbed out, leaves deep scratches in the seat post after a short time and is detrimental to the good performance.
ConclusionExcept for minor flaws, the Ridge presents itself as a fully-fledged enduro bike.
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