The Stevens Super Prestige has been a fixture of elite cyclocross for more than two decades. For 2026–27, the German manufacturer has gone back to the drawing board, producing a lighter, sharper and thoroughly modern Super Prestige ULT.
At a time when many manufacturers have blurred the distinction between gravel and cyclocross, Stevens has done precisely the opposite. The new Super Prestige ULT is unapologetically a cyclocross racing bike, designed around the demands of fast, technical competition rather than long-distance gravel versatility.
And that is probably its greatest strength.
Stevens hasn’t merely updated the components or paintwork. The Carbon SL frame has been comprehensively redesigned, including the first significant revision to the Super Prestige’s race geometry in around a decade. Stevens says feedback from professional cyclocross riders played an important role in developing the new machine.
The most significant change should be apparent as soon as the course becomes technical.
Sharper and lighter
Stevens has adopted what it describes as more aggressive geometry, intended to make the bike more agile through tight corners and rapid changes of direction. Head angles vary according to frame size – from 70 degrees on the smallest 48cm frame to 72 degrees on the larger machines – rather than imposing identical geometry across every size.
That’s an important indication of what this bike is about. The Super Prestige ULT isn’t designed to provide the relaxed stability of a gravel bike. It’s intended to change direction quickly and reward an experienced rider.
Weight is equally impressive. The complete ULT weighs a claimed 7.7kg, making this a seriously light disc-brake cyclocross machine.
That should be particularly noticeable during repeated accelerations and, perhaps more importantly, every time the bike has to be lifted over barriers or carried up a flight of steps.
Designed for real cyclocross
Some of the most convincing improvements aren’t particularly glamorous.
Stevens has increased clearance around the tyres, especially around the seat-tube and chainstay junction. On a dry course that won’t matter much. During a December mudbath, it could matter enormously.
Interestingly, an independent review of an earlier Super Prestige specifically criticised mud clogging around the chainstays. The fact that Stevens has now concentrated on improving clearance in this area suggests a genuine attempt to address one of the old bike’s weaknesses.
There’s another thoughtful detail underneath the top tube. Stevens has flattened the lower surface to make the bike more comfortable and secure when shouldered.
Neither feature will sell many bikes on a showroom floor, but both demonstrate that this is a machine designed by people who understand cyclocross.
Excellent specification
The ULT sits at the top of the Super Prestige range and its equipment reflects that position.
There’s a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 2×12 drivetrain, with a 46/36 chainset. Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes use 160mm rotors, while the wheelset is the carbon Leeze CC 45 BASIC AR, supplied tubeless-ready.
Stevens completes the package with Designed for real cyclocross tyres – the UCI-standard width for elite cyclocross racing – and a carbon Scorpo seatpost.
The result is essentially a competition-ready bike straight from the box.
The choice of a 2x drivetrain is interesting. Single-chainring transmissions increasingly dominate off-road racing because of their simplicity, but a 46/36 double gives racers closely spaced gears and plenty of high-end gearing on fast courses. Riders who prefer the simplicity of 1x may see this as one area where the specification doesn’t suit them.
How should it ride?
Until we’ve ridden the new ULT ourselves, this is where some caution is necessary.
However, the combination of reduced weight, revised geometry and Stevens’ explicit focus on greater agility strongly suggests a bike that should feel fast, responsive and quite aggressive rather than forgiving.
That’s consistent with the Super Prestige’s heritage. An earlier generation tested by Cycling Weekly was praised for its quick handling through technical terrain without becoming excessively difficult to control.
The new version appears to push that philosophy further.
For experienced cyclocross racers, that sounds extremely appealing. For somebody looking for one bicycle for winter racing, gravel adventures and leisurely riding, there are probably more suitable options.
And that’s fine. The Super Prestige ULT doesn’t pretend to be that bike.
