Stevens 2026 AVIOLO 8.1 HT / Nordic Fade XXL / Nordic Fade

Stevens Aviolo 8.1 HT – a sporty touring bike with air suspension, 22 gears and 80 lux lighting

The 6061 aluminium frame is built as an HT model, with the raised top tube of the classic diamond frame and an O.L.D. of 142 mm – the geometry from which even long days in the saddle emerge without postural problems. Internal cable routing, BSA bottom bracket and postmount mounts for 160 mm rotors keep the construction enclosed while leaving room for more powerful brakes. That matters on this bike, because the SR Suntour NRX32IL-D air suspension fork with 60 mm of travel is designed for continuous operation and fine adjustment: the air pressure in the fork tube is set once, and the bike then rides the same way for years. The colour Nordic Fade – a calm, deep blue – matches this unforced elegance. At 16.4 kg the bike stays light enough for the city and robust enough for luggage, and the sizes XS to XXL cover almost every body size.

Power comes from the Shimano CUES U6000, a chain drivetrain that appears here in its highest specification within the range: The Hollowtech II FC-U6010-2 crankset with 46 and 32 teeth and the 11-speed CS-LG400-11 cassette from 11 to 45 teeth produce 22 gears. With 48 teeth of total capacity, this means every climb can be ridden calmly without losing rhythm, and every fast section can be used to the full without shifting. The CN-LG500 LINKGLIDE chain transfers the power quietly and durably, while front derailleur FD-U6010-LL3 and Shadow rear derailleur RD-U6020-11-SGS provide precise shifting.

On this basis, the brakes are chosen to match long-term use: The Tektro Volans hydraulic disc brakes – HD-T3520-F at the front and HD-T532-R at the rear – work with 180 mm Tektro TR180-45A rotors in centre-lock design and are operated via three-finger levers, which ensure safe control even with wet hands. The wheels built from Oxygen Edge T26 rims in 26x622 ETRTO with Strummer RTP-1 hubs carry 45-622 Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency Evolution tyres, equipped with V-Guard puncture protection, ADDIX Race compound and reflective strips. The fact that these tyres are foldable is the decisive difference when travelling: they disappear into luggage in a small package and are ready for action again immediately after fitting.

The equipment also places this bike in a league of its own: The Shutter Precision PL-6 hub dynamo supplies the Trelock Light Hammer 80 LED headlight with 80 lux and the B+M Xeltec Mini stand rear light. The Racktime STV RC 04 luggage rack with SNAP IT 2.0 and QL3.1 system accepts side panniers, pannier bags and large travel bags – the prerequisite for bikepacking, multi-day tours and the daily shopping trip. Curana Apollo 60 mudguards, the STEVENS Edge kickstand with KSA 40 mount and the D85 bell complete the setup, while the Scorpo Rise handlebar with 700 mm width, 9° backsweep and 25 mm rise, the Scorpo stem at 20° and the Selle Royal Vivo Ergo Royal saddle define the sporty, relaxed riding position. The ATB Alu Pro Reflex pedals with reflectors, the total weight limit of 140 kg as well as the approval for child seats and trailers up to 40 kg or 80 kg with a trailer brake turn this into a bike that carries family, luggage and the urge to travel far with equal ease.

Nordic Fade, 8.1, HT: decoding the model name

“Aviolo" is the model series of the STEVENS travel and touring bikes, united by a lightweight aluminium frame with a suspension fork, hub dynamo lighting, a luggage rack and mudguards. The 8 indicates the equipment level and places the bike between the 5.2, 6.1 and 7.1 on one side and the 9.1 on the other. The 1 after the point stands for the type of drive: all Aviolo 1 models – 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 – work with a chain drivetrain, while the 5.2 rides with Gates belt drive and Shimano Nexus 8. “HT" stands for High Tube and names the diamond frame with a raised top tube, one of two frame shapes of this model alongside the LT trapeze frame with a low top tube. Nordic Fade is the colour designation, a deep blue that holds its own note between black and grey.

The 8.1 HT as the elevated middle of the Aviolo range

The 8.1 is the elevated middle of the range: with 22 gears and 48 teeth of total capacity it reaches the same gear range as the 9.1, which marks the top position with Shimano CUES U8000, the brakes from Shimano's own CUES family and 15.9 kg. The 8.1 in turn relies on Shimano CUES U6000 and the Tektro Volans hydraulics and, at 16.4 kg, stays just under half a kilogram above that. Moving down, the 7.1 works with 16.8 kg, 20 gears and 48 teeth... rather 44 teeth of capacity, the 6.1 with 17.6 kg and 18 gears and the 5.2 with 17.9 kg, Gates belt drive and Shimano Nexus 8. All Aviolo models share the concept of an aluminium frame, suspension fork, dynamo lighting, luggage rack and mudguards. Within the 8.1, only the frame shape decides: HT from XS to XXL as well as LT from XS to M – technically identical, different in execution.

Aviolo 8.1 HT: built for tours that combine comfort with pace

The purpose of this bike lies on long, changing routes: the air suspension fork with 60 mm of travel provides damping without losing effect at every bump in the road, and the 22 gears allow you to climb calmly and descend at pace. On asphalt, cycle path and good gravel the bike is equally at home, and the 45 mm tyres with V-Guard provide the puncture protection a bike with this equipment needs over long stages. The luggage rack also allows real bikepacking, the lighting with 80 lux and hub dynamo makes the bike ready to ride at dusk without any charging time, and the approval for child seats and trailers extends the range of use towards the family. Compared with the 9.1, it offers the same number of gears at slightly higher weight, and compared with the models featuring steel suspension it is noticeably lighter and more comfortable – the choice for everyone who makes no compromises on shifting but also does not want to carry unnecessary weight.