Stevens Bikes is a German company based in Hamburg. The company was founded in 1990 and has slowly been building its reputation in Europe as a top manufacturer of high-end racing bikes. In 2009, Stevens Bikes began to show up in the United States under select sponsored riders, the most notable being Katie Compton, who has claimed the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships as well as a pair of UCI World Cups. For 2010, Stevens is bringing a full range of bikes to America, including their top-of-the-line SLC Team.

The SLC Team is a racing machine designed to be as light and stiff as possible. The full carbon frame features monocoque construction utilizing high-value carbon fiber with a fine 1K texture. The frame features an oversized front triangle mated to a1.25 to 1.125 tapered head tube. The front triangle is then connected to oversized chainstays for solid power transfer and thin seat stays that are designed to absorb road shock. The frame is then mated to a Stevens full carbon fork that features slightly curved blades to absorb rood shock but still provide the handling benefits of a straight blade design. Our 56-centimeter Stevens had a 73.5-degree head tube and a 73.5-degree seat tube angle, connected by a 55.5-centimeter top tube.

Our Stevens SLC Team was outfitted with a 2010 SRAM Red group, complete with SRAM S40 wheels wrapped in the Michelin PRO 3 tires. The S40 wheels feature 38-millimeter deep carbon rims, laced to SRAM hubs via black aero spokes. The front wheel features 18 radially laced spokes, while the rear contains 20 radially laced on the drive side and two cross on the non-drive side. FSA outfitted the SLC Team with a complete cockpit including a 110-millimeter SLK Stem, SLK seatpost, and a set of SLK compact handlebars. A Selle Italia SLR saddle rounds out the Stevens component package.

The Stevens is a pure racing bike. The SLC has a lively feel to it that begs the rider to get out of the saddle and accelerate. Due to the stiff frame, there is no wasted energy in sprints and climbs, while the steep 73.5-degree head tube angle gives the Stevens quick and nimble handling. The steep head tube angle does give the SLC Team a twitchy feel at slow speeds; fortunately, slow is not a word that is likely to be associated with the SLC Team. Once up to speed, it settles down into a solid and predictable handler. Oftentimes with race bikes, stiffness comes at the expense of comfort; however, we were pleasantly surprised when the Stevens SLC Team proved to be smooth and comfortable. Stevens has created a bike that is both fast and efficient, but also fun to ride.