Test: The Stevens Prestige remains true to itself in 2020 - once a thoroughbred crosser, the bike is now also called Gravel on the manufacturer's website. Our test shows that the bike should still feel more comfortable on CX trails than on endless gravel roads.
Stevens Prestige 2020: The facts
Frame material: Aluminium
Wheel size(s): 700 tsp
Maximum tire clearance: 42 mm
Axle dimensions (v/h): 12 × 100/142 × 12
Mudguard Eyelets: Ja
Luggage carrier eyelets (v/h): No Yes
bottle holder: down tube up, seat tube
Weight wheels v/h/total (with tires and brake discs): 1.550g / 1.580g / 3.130g
Weight complete bike without pedals (size M): 9,77kg
Price: € 1.799
Convincing aluminum frame with everyday qualities
The Stevens Prestige is perhaps one of the "longest serving" bikes on the bike market today. The former crosser of the Northern Lights is more than 15 years old and has remained true to itself, at least in some respects, despite all the further developments. The 2020 Prestige is also based on a high-quality aluminum frame. Nowadays, of course, it comes with flat mounts for the disc brakes, internally routed cables and thru axles front and rear. A real unique selling point for the Prestige is the huge selection of available frame sizes: there are eight of them in the current model year - everyone should really be happy here.
Despite the former CX-DNA, the Prestige has a lot of features that underline its suitability for everyday use: mudguards can be attached as well as a luggage rack at the back and the eyelets on the fork also allow accessories to be mounted. It looks similarly good in terms of tire clearance. 40mm tires from Schwalbe are installed, which still have a lot of space at the front and rear - depending on the tires and mud factor, 42 tires should also have enough space here.
We have already addressed the first major highlight of the geometry, the huge selection of different sizes. Otherwise, the Prestige reads quite interesting on paper: Although the Prestige is a bike that has already won one or the other CX race in one way or another, the geometry data does not seem to differ that much from the others at first glance distinguish gravel bikes in our test field. The chainstays are actually quite long at 430mm, as is the wheelbase. Okay, the steering angle is rather steep, but not so much that one could speak of a different bike category.
Geometry Stevens Prestige 2020
| 47 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 60 | 62 | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 480 | 490 | 520 | 540 | 560 | 580 | 600 | 620 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 485 | 499 | 527 | 539 | 551 | 572 | 588 | 600 |
| head tube (in mm) | 100 | 115 | 130 | 145 | 160 | 175 | 190 | 205 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 995 | 1006 | 1010 | 1011 | 1007 | 1027 | 1043 | 1055 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 70 | 70.5 | 71 | 71.5 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 76.5 | 75.5 | 74.5 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Reach (mm) | 361 | 371 | 375 | 376 | 372 | 388 | 399 | 407 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 516 | 532 | 548 | 567 | 588 | 603 | 617 | 631 |
Equipped with record-breaking light wheels and weaknesses in detail
The Stevens guys and gals really have to be complimented on the overall package of frame and equipment: Although 1.799 euros is no small matter, the Stevens is not only one of the lightest bikes among our beginners at 9,7 kg, with just a little over At around three kilograms, the wheel system is even lighter than some top bikes costing several thousand euros. The current version of the Prestige is now equipped with the GRX drive from Shimano, although you have to be satisfied with the cheaper components from the series - the 600 STIs are not quite on the level of the more expensive 800 and the 400 brakes in terms of ergonomics don't grab so tight. Nevertheless, the performance should be more than sufficient, for a beginner anyway!
However, the gear ratio is sporty: A 510-50 chainring combination is mounted on the groupless RS34 crank from Shimano, which together with the 11-32 cassette has a very good range of 428%, but even in the lightest gear it has quite a bit of power in the legs is required if you want to take longer climbs on unpaved paths under your wheels.
| frame | Steven's Prestige SL7005 |
| suspension fork | Stevens S-Lite Aluminum |
| Wheels | Fulcrum Racing 700DB DRP |
| Tubes | Schwalbe G-One Bite RaceGuard |
| derailleur | Shimano GRX810 |
| Gear levers | Shimano GRX 600 STI |
| Crank | Shimano FC-RS510 |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra |
| Brake | Shimano GRX |
| Seat post | Osygen Scorpo Road |
| Saddle | Oxygen Triton |
| Stem | Oxygen Scorpo Road |
| Links | Oxygen Scorpo Aero |
But now to the equipment highlight on the Stevens Prestige 2020: According to the manufacturer, the Fulcrum Racing 7DB wheels weigh “bare” 1.740g, the entire system including tires and brake discs on our test bike just 3,13kg – a top value. The aluminum rims are also tubeless-compatible, just like the Schwalbe G-One tires mounted on them. The fact that the rim width of 19mm is a little narrower than the current top wheel sets in this area shouldn't matter too much to most riders.
For the attachments, the house brand Oxygen is used and there are no big experiments. The handlebars do not have any significant flare, which is unusual for a gravel bike.
More tests, products and background information about the Velomotion Gravel Month:
- Storck Grix Platinum Ultegra Di2 gravel bike in test: Race tourer for gravel and off-road
- GT Grade Carbon Pro in the gravel bike test: Comfortable triangle for lots of driving fun?!
- Orbea Terra M30-D in the gravel bike test: Lively bike for training and gravel tours
- NS Bikes Rag+ 2 in the gravel bike test: Convincing aluminum all-rounder
- Rondo Ruut CF 2 in the gravel bike test: Fast gravel bike with a striking look
Let's Gravel: The Stevens Prestige 2020
At first glance, the Stevens Prestige appears very plain with its glossy finish and initially behaves inconspicuously. Coherent design elements in the frame and wheels, combined with good workmanship, ensure a high-quality look.
As soon as you sit down, it becomes clear where the Stevens is headed – forward! Fast and sporty. The seating position is anything but touring and should be best enjoyed by racing bike fans. Anyone who likes to sit a little upright or would like to regularly take longer tours under their wheels will probably have to defuse something with spacers under the stem - that's at least partially possible. In keeping with this seating position, the Prestige is also evident when accelerating. The wheels, which are very light for this price range, and the stiff aluminum frame literally catapult the bike forward. Despite the rather long chainstays, the bike is very agile through corners and technical sections.
The Stevens Prestige implements steering inputs immediately, which is particularly advantageous in technical sections. However, the Stevens Prestige clearly struggles on faster sections, even in easy terrain, and gets nervous quite quickly. On the one hand, this is due to the steep steering angle, but on the other hand, it is also due to the rather unyielding and somewhat uncomfortable aluminum fork, which also has very little forward bending. This means that the front axle is very close to the bottom bracket and there is a very strong toe overlap. If the term doesn't mean anything to you: With the crank in a horizontal position, the tip of your foot and the tire collide when you turn the handlebars. The combination of nervous handling, toe overlap and the sporty geometry demands a lot from the rider - beginners in particular could quickly be overwhelmed here.
The frame itself, on the other hand, is pretty good in terms of comfort and absorbs shocks, vibrations and hits quite well - as far as it is possible for an aluminum frame.
The circuit with a mixture of 400 and 600 GRX parts is a successful compromise, offers good functionality and robust durability for off-road use - at a really attractive price overall. Unfortunately, the specified crank and chainrings, together with the 11-32 cassette, are only suitable to a limited extent for longer climbs on gravel or other unpaved paths - unless you have the right thighs. Here we would have wished for at least a cassette with a 34 tooth sprocket or the GRX crank with a smaller 31 tooth ring.
The other attachments, such as handlebars, seat post and saddle are of high quality, but we didn't really like the seating area and quickly became a bit uncomfortable, especially on rough terrain.
Other gravel bike highlights in the test:
NS Bikes Rag+ 2 in the gravel bike test: Convincing aluminum all-rounder
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GT Grade Carbon Pro in the gravel bike test: Comfortable triangle for lots of driving fun?!
Test / Gravel bike: For the 2020 season, GT is sending an updated version of the already established Grade Carbon gravel bike to the gravel race. Also included is an innovative frame with striking GT features and interesting equipment including Di2 gears. GT Grade Carbon Pro: The facts Frame material: carbon Wheel size(s): 700c (650b compatible) Maximum tire clearance: 42mm / 47mm (650b) Axle dimension (f/r): […]
Salsa Journeyman Sora 650b gravel bike review: Inexpensive, all-terrain travel companion
Test: The Salsa Journeyman 650b Sora is a cheap gravel bike that bikepackers should like with its diverse mounting options and comfortable geometry. However, you have to make compromises when it comes to acceleration and liveliness. Salsa Journeyman Sora 650b: The facts Frame material: Aluminum Wheel size(s): 650b (700cc compatible) Maximum tire clearance: 57mm / 2,2″ (650b) | 51mm / 2,0″ (700c) axle dimension (v/h): quick release […]
