To those who are looking for a bike that is comfortable and capable, but also fun to ride and with a low-key appearance the editors of VTT Magazine from France recommend to go on a ride on the STEVENS Jura Carbon ES.

The testers even called this marathon fully a ”revelation” in their bike test special issue. This bike had been quite a surprise, the authors said. At first it convinced on paper since 29er are the tester’s favourite category and 120mm of travel are just right ”to do everything”. Cable routing designed for electronic shifting and dropper posts, is internal, so the bike was no-frills and nice to look at. The Shimano Deore XT 2x11-speed drivetrain works flawlessly, the DT Swiss wheels and Syntace parts performed just as well. The specs were good for an overall low weight and a ”bravo!” compliment from the editors: Just as specified by STEVENS the 18” frame test bike weighed in at exactly 11.8kg (26lbs).

”Like On a Magic Carpet”
After the first test rides the rider was just as impressed by the overall comfort: Even in icy winter weather ”there has never been a moment of insecurity. The Jura ES delivers grip, the suspension irons-out all roughness – just like on a magic carpet.” Steering was very precise and you can lock-out the suspension for climbing without having to take your hand off the handlebar.

”The Jura is a weapon without a doubt. Especially where I like it, on so-called ”unrideable hills”, it happens to perform incredibly well. Thanks to the suspension, the 29” wheels, the 2x11 drivetrain and its agility it becomes a machine that can even climb trees”, the tester rider sums up.

Due to the combination of Boost hub spacing and Fox suspension fork with 120mm of travel you get a lot of smoothness and stiffness that remind you of its big sister Fox 34. The geometry was up-to-date and this version of the Jura Carbon ES made it hard to find anything to complain about. In the end the Carbon ES was awarded 16.4 of 20 possible points. As a retrofit option the editors recommend a dropper post.

Conclusion: ”The Jura Carbon ES is so versatile that it can handle even the more extreme kind of terrain. A bike that you can ride any mountain with."

The STEVENS Jura Carbon ES is available in sizes 18, 20 and 22in with 29” wheels. For better handling the 16in model uses 27.5” wheels. The marathon fully costs 4,299 Euros. Spec’d with Shimano XT Di2 the STEVENS Jura Carbon ES Di2 sells for 4,999 Euros.