Alongside the Ghost, the Stevens is the lightest bike on test at 21.2 kilos - not counting the Focus with its small battery - and it has the shortest chainstays at 435 mm. While the first value only has a positive effect, the short rear triangle is not uncritical on an e-bike. Although the riding position is balanced and the rear suspension responds sensitively, the bike tends to rebel early on and requires a lot of physical effort to stay on track on singletrack. The competition is safer and more stable on the trail. The opposite is true downhill: here, the E-Whaka benefits from the short struts, is easy on the rear wheel and feels very playful. Thanks to its low weight and good geometry, it rides like a normal MTB and is a lot of fun. The very good Magic Mary tyres with a soft compound offer outstanding traction and braking stability. However, it cannot offer the enormous smoothness of a Ghost or Mondraker.
Test summary of the Stevens E-Whaka+ ES
Very agile trail bike with geometry-related weaknesses on the climbs, but beautifully playful handling on the descents. Close to the classic bike feeling. Top front tyre.
Stevens E-Whaka+ ES / 27.5 " / model year 2018
Reach height 1339 hm
Time / 500 hm4
22.44 min.
Price 5599 Euro
Drive
Engine Shimano Steps
Maximum torque 170 Nm
Battery¹ / weight² / price Replacement battery Shimano, 504 Wh/ 2621 gram / 699 Euro
Circuit Shimano XT Di2 (11-speed)
Translation (v. / h.) 38; 11-42
Display / Size Shimano / 21 x 38 mm
Equipment
Fork / damper Fox 34 Float Performance Elite / Float Performance DPS Elite
Spring travel (f. / h.) 140 mm / 130 mm
Telescopic support KS Lev Si, 125 mm
Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear) Shimano XT / 203 mm / 203 mm
Impellers Shimano XT hubs; Sun Ringlé Düroc 40 rims
Wheel size 27,5''
Tyres Schwalbe Magic Mary /Nobby Nic 2.8
Measured values²
Sizes / frame material S / M / L / XL / Aluminium
Weight 21.2 kg
Centre of gravity height 512 mm
Handlebar width 760 mm
Crank length / Q-factor 170 mm / 180 mm
Reach / Stack 440 mm / 605 mm
EMTB judgement VERY GOOD
Manufacturer information
²Determined on the test benches in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals.
The judgement reflects the subjective impression of the testers, the results of the reach measurement and the laboratory tests. The EMTB judgement is independent of price.
4
Average value from the reach height test over the entire distance.
EMTB judgements: super (from 350 points), very good (from 315 points), good (from 280 points), satisfactory (from 245 points), with weaknesses (from 210 points), below insufficient.
