Stevens 2026 AVIOLO 9.1 HT / Black Mercury S / Black Mercury

Stevens Aviolo 9.1 HT – a lightweight travel bike with Shimano CUES U8000, air suspension and 205 lumens

The frame in 6061 aluminium is built as an HT, with the raised top tube of the classic diamond frame – the shape that gives this bike its sporty silhouette and the stiffness that counts on fast stages. 142 mm O.L.D., BSA bottom bracket, internal cable routing and postmount mounts for 160 mm rotors keep the construction clean while leaving room for more powerful brakes. At 15.9 kg this is the lightest bike in the Aviolo range, and the weight is distributed so that it stays relaxed even over long distances. The frame sizes S to XL cover a broad spectrum, and the colour Black Mercury – a deep black with a metallic shimmer – sets a sovereign tone that suits this equipment.

Power comes from the Shimano CUES U8000, the highest level of this drivetrain family: The Hollowtech II FC-U8000-2 crankset delivers 46 and 32 teeth, the 11-speed CS-LG700-11 cassette reaches from 11 to 45 teeth, and the Shadow+ RD-U8020-SGS rear derailleur shifts with particularly fine precision – 22 gears with 48 teeth of total capacity. Across this range, every climb can be ridden evenly and every fast section used to the full without the drivetrain losing effect; the CN-LG500 LINKGLIDE chain keeps the connection smooth and durable. Front derailleur FD-U8010-LL3 and the I-Spec II levers SL-U8000-L and SL-U8000-11IR fit into this picture as one unit, because levers, hubs and cassette come from the same manufacturer and are therefore exactly matched to each other.

This precision is equally visible in the brakes: In the Aviolo range, Shimano components are used here, the BR-U8000 hydraulic disc brakes with two pistons and postmount mounting, working with 180 mm Shimano SM-RT54 rotors in centre-lock design. The SR Suntour NRX32IL-E air suspension fork with 60 mm of travel complements this, and because its air pressure can be set to the rider's own weight, it performs the same way over the years. The wheels built from Oxygen Edge T26 rims in 26x622 ETRTO with Strummer RTP-1 hubs carry 45-622 Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency Evolution tyres with V-Guard, ADDIX Race and reflective strips – and because these tyres are foldable, they disappear into luggage in a small package on trips and are ready for action again immediately after fitting, a detail that matters for long tours with this level of equipment.

The lighting is the most striking difference on this model: The Supernova E3 Pure 3 LED headlight delivers 205 lumens and works with a daytime running light, powered by the Shutter Precision PL-6 hub dynamo with a QR15x100 mm axle, and is complemented by the Supernova TL 3 Mini stand rear light. This makes the bike as clearly visible at dusk, in town and on open country roads as the technology allows. The Racktime STV RC 04 luggage rack with SNAP IT 2.0 and QL3.1 carries side panniers, pannier bags and large travel bags, making it the basis for bikepacking and multi-day tours, while the Curana Apollo 60 mudguards handle spray protection. The Scorpo Rise handlebar with 700 mm width, 9° backsweep and 25 mm rise, the Scorpo stem at 20°, the Selle Royal Vivo Ergo Royal saddle and the Scorpo seatpost with 10 mm offset form a sporty, relaxed seating position in which even long days stay comfortable. ATB Alu Pro Reflex pedals with reflectors, the total weight limit of 140 kg and the approval for child seats and trailers up to 40 kg or 80 kg with a trailer brake make the bike suitable for luggage, family and long distances.

The name Aviolo 9.1 HT – and what Black Mercury adds to it

“Aviolo" is the model series of the STEVENS travel and touring bikes, whose identifying features are a lightweight aluminium frame with a suspension fork, hub dynamo lighting, a luggage rack and mudguards. The 9 assigns the bike the highest equipment level in the range; it sits above the 8.1, 7.1, 6.1 and 5.2, and at 15.9 kg it is also the lightest bike in the series. The 1 after the point identifies the type of drive: all Aviolo 1 models – 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 – ride 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 frame with a raised top tube, in contrast to the LT trapeze frame with a low top tube. Black Mercury is the colour designation, a dark black with a metallic shimmer.

At the top of the Aviolo range: CUES U8000, in-house brakes and 15.9 kg

Within the range, the 9.1 differs from all the others in three respects. First in the drivetrain: where the 8.1 rides with Shimano CUES U6000, the U8000 is used here, delivered as the Shadow+ version with finer precision – the same 22 gears, the same 48 teeth of capacity, the same LINKGLIDE chain, but one level higher in tuning and durability. Second in the brakes: the hydraulic disc brakes come from Shimano itself, while on no other Aviolo model do they come from Tektro. Third in weight: 15.9 kg for the HT as against 16.4 kg for the 8.1, 16.8 kg for the 7.1, around 17.5 kg for the 6.1 and 17.9 kg for the 5.2 – the air suspension, the 45 tyres and the wide gear range pay off here directly in low weight. Within the 9.1, the HT differs from the LT: a 700 mm Scorpo Rise handlebar and the sizes S to XL are set against 680 mm and XS to M, while technically both models are identical.

The Aviolo 9.1 HT as a long-distance travel bike for all weather conditions

The purpose of this bike lies on long, changing routes and wherever reliability over many kilometres matters more than any single detail. The 22 gears make it possible to ride high mountain ranges and heavy loads calmly, the air suspension fork with 60 mm of travel ensures the bike runs evenly over long asphalt and gravel stages, and the 45 mm Schwalbe tyres with V-Guard protect against the consequences of glass and potholes. The 205 lumens with daytime running light make the bike visible at any time of day, which on unfamiliar routes and at dusk makes the difference between a touring bike and a purely urban one. Compared with the 8.1, it offers the same number of gears at lower weight and the brakes from Shimano's own range; compared with the 5.2, it offers a wider gear range and the comfort of air suspension. Within the Aviolo series, it is therefore the travel bike for everyone who wants to manage as many kilometres, metres of altitude and pieces of luggage as possible with a single bike.