For 2016, all Stevens full suspension bikes get a Boost 148 rear, and 29ers get boost forks (27.5 get standard forks for now due to availability issues). All of them have lighter forged parts, cutting 120g from the Jura, and 180g to 200g from the Whaka and Sledge models depending on frame and wheel size. For the Whaka, a smaller forged piece for the non-drive chainstay yoke saves about 70g over the longer yoke leading to the lower pivot on the regular model. It’s also stronger, improving frame durability in testing. This change will eventually be adapted to the other bikes.
Building on that is the Whaka+, their new 27.5+ bike with Boost spacing and the new Schwalbe Nobby Nic 27.5×3.0 tires.
New cable routing inserts that allow for multiple hoses and housings to run thru a single port are borrowed from road bikes, but with a silicone tube inside the frame to guide it along and keep it from rattling.
Ample tire clearance front and rear, and with Boost spacing and a frame design built around 3.0 tires, there’s no reason this bike can’t also run 29×2.2 wheels/tires when desired.
The Whaka+ gets 140mm travel, and the standard Whaka 29er has 140mm, too. On the non-Plus models, both the small and medium bikes will both have 27.5″ wheel options with a 150mm fork (prior model was only offered in Small with 27.5″), and 29er will continue being offered in M, L and XL and 140mm fork. Carbon fiber Whaka models are in the works, too.
Other updates to all full suspension mountain bikes for 2016 include Sideswing front derailleur compatibility, and a new bolt on chain slap protection for chainstay with grooves to allow a chain guide to strap on underneath. They’re running direct mount rear derailleurs, too.
The Sledge Max is a new 170/160 enduro bike with 1×11 group. Standard Sledge models will carry forward with the usual 160mm forks and 2×11 groups.
Not that you’d likely run a front derailleur on this bike, but even it gets the Sideswing port.
All cables and hoses run through the downtube and exit just in front of the BB, even the dropper seatpost stealth hose.
Slick entry point for the rear brake hose.
The Sonora hardtail gets a new ES model that changes the layup from their sub-1,000g SL version to save a bit of coin but comes in 100-150g heavier. XT spec with DT Swiss wheels and Schwalbe tires.
The Arcalis was introduced in 2015 as an aero disc brake road bike. Then they added a non-disc version that was available in custom builds only. Now, they’ll offer one complete stock build for the rim brake version in this bright green Ultegra group and DT Swiss wheels build.
For their cross bikes, they’re sticking with QR for now, waiting until Shimano finalizes their 12mm thru axle standard, and then they’ll change the molds and commit to thru axle.
When they do make the switch, the Super Prestige will have an all-new frame with a much cleaner looking low direct mount Shimano brakes on the chainstay. Dems the rumors. Now for facts:
There’s a new camo option for the Super Prestige. It’s inspired by Matheu van der Poel’s bike shown here, except with stripes in shades of green. We covered it here with pricing, but this one’s worth another close up look even if we did drool over it at CX Worlds earlier this year.
The Ventoux road bike will get this orange & blue colorway for 2016, but only in custom builds, disc brakes or regular.
The Super Trofeo TT/triathlon bike gets a new red and black colorway and minor spec updates but otherwise carries over unchanged.
Not shown, the Vapor, Prestige, Gavere and Namur all get new tubing profiles to save about 120-160 grams.
