Test Stevens Camino Pro: The Hamburg manufacturer's first carbon gravel bike impresses right away with its low weight, low price and very good equipment. The frame geometry comes from the aluminum model and works almost even better here.
With the Prestige, Stevens already launched an interesting gravel bike in 2021, which only in name was reminiscent of the brand's cyclocross racers. The super-solid aluminum bike comes at an affordable price (currently €1).999 The Prestige (€45) is still in the range and, with its modern geometry, large tire clearance of up to 10,7 mm, and countless mounting options, is a good choice for bikepacking adventures, while also being maneuverable and lively enough for sporty off-road tours. At XNUMX kg, the Prestige is certainly not light, so a carbon version was only a matter of time. It has been available since the beginning of the year in the form of the Stevens Camino Pro and Camino, which – based on the same frame – appeal to different target groups and are both quite interesting.
Aluminum gravel bike geometry
First of all, the geometry: There is hardly any difference between aluminum and carbon wheels. Seat and steering angle, wheelbase and head tube length are largely identical across all frame sizes; only with the stack is it noticeable that the aluminum fork of the Prestige is 10 mm higher. Stevens relies on a long reach, combined with short stems, and a rather long wheelbase, which led to safe straight-line stability and manageable steering behavior on the aluminum model. The weight of the Stevens Camino Pro has been reduced by a whopping two kilos (500 grams of which are on the wheelset), making the carbon bike even more agile and allowing it to be accelerated very lightly. The mounting options on the Camino are also impressive: fenders can be attached as well as luggage racks on the fork - something that many light gravel bikes have to do. Three bottle cages and a small bag on the top tube can also be mounted. The aluminum model also offers the option of adding a rear stand and a luggage rack, but this is actually only interesting for those who want to convert the bike into a randonneur, ie touring racer.
Sporty off-road with low weight
In contrast, the Stevens Camino Pro is geared more towards "Speed Gravel" - fast tours through the terrain or over natural paths, with minimal luggage in bikepacking mode. The drive train is also sporty with 1×11 gears, with Stevens combining a 40 chainring on the super-light Easton crankset with an 11-42 cassette – a very wide, albeit somewhat coarser gear ratio. Shifting components and brakes come from the 800 series of the Shimano GRX, which is very decent considering the price of a good 3.000 euros. Stevens even uses Schwalbe's expensive, super-light Aerothan tubes in the high-quality DT Swiss wheels; you can save yourself the conversion to tubeless here. The handlebars are not overly wide and slightly flared, and the seat post is made of aluminum. This makes it the only component on the Stevens that could be replaced at some point in order to achieve a little more seating comfort and at the same time reduce the weight a little.
New frame with integrated lines
The frame with a matt finish is pleasing with its slim, slightly rounded tube shapes, an integrated seat clamp and cables and lines that are routed completely inside. The front brake line also disappears into the stem, only to reappear briefly above the brake caliper. There is also a direct-mount derailleur hanger, which also ensures a very tidy look.
Compared to Stevens cyclocross bikes, you sit even more stretched out on the Camino Pro due to the long reach, but you sit 2-3 cm more upright. These are also good prerequisites for sporting activities up to cross races, which indicates the great versatility of the Camino Pro. While the aluminum version of Stevens' gravel bike is a bit more sluggish due to its higher weight, the matt silver carbon bike proves to be a real racing machine.
Also interesting: the tour-oriented Camino without “Pro”
And the Camino without “Pro”? This bike stands out because it's right in the middle between the Prestige and the Camino Pro. From the former it has the Shimano GRX component group with 2×11 gears and the Fulcrum wheels, with the latter it shares the carbon frame including the integrated cable routing. This combination results in a weight of around 9,5 kilos and a price of 2.599 euros, which hits the middle in two respects. The Stevens Camino is positioned between a touring and racing model as an all-rounder with potential in both directions.
With all these properties, Stevens Camino Pro and Camino can convince all round. Both are fairly well-equipped for their price and fairly light - all that's left to decide is whether you're drawn to the Sport or Touring model.
Website: stevensbikes.de
