Stels bicycles have been sold for many years in many parts of the country, and the brand is only developing, which indicates the normal profitability of production. Moreover, every year new interesting models appear in the catalogs. Let's briefly go over the new catalog of 2018, take a look at the new series, and also look at reviews of Stels bikes and alternatives, if any.
Brand Description
Stels even has its own website, which presents the entire lineup, news about the latest. "Stealth" - Russian-made bikes, and the brand really stands out by the serious organization of its enterprise, which is growing every year.
Among the products there are bicycles of various types and classes, and on frames of different alloys and various types of body kit. The range of Stels products is quite wide. In the catalogs you will find bicycles for mountain and city walks, a separate series of bikes for women, folding bikes and a whole section of children's models. The production of frames and wheels is automated, which eliminates the human factor from the list of possible risks when buying. To finally understand everything, let's look at the selection tips and reviews on Stels bikes in different categories and types.
Folding bikes
Folding bike options Stels introduces the Pilot range. Among them, oddly enough, there are not only small city bikes, but also the likeness of a mountain bike - Pilot 970 MD 2017 release. It really resembles a cross-country model and even has a suspension fork. But using it in harsh conditions is highly discouraged. Nevertheless, it will be a good gift for a teenager.
There are several exclusively urban models, such as the Pilot 630 or 430, for example. Riding them off-road or even on mixed surfaces is not a good idea. But such a bicycle is suitable for walks in the parks or for trips to work. The main advantage of folding bikes is that you can take it, say, to the metro, take it apart, drive several stations and get to the end point again by bicycle. On a large hardtail, doing this is extremely problematic.
The rest of the folding models are pretty ordinary: 20-24 ”wheels, high steering wheel, trunk and weight of about 14 kg. Such models are well suited for travel to work and storage in cramped hallways.
Reviews about the Stels Pilot bikes are positive, but, as mentioned above, there are complaints about the poor reliability of the folding mechanism, the steering wheel constantly sticking out, problems with the transmission. However, in general, a bike is pretty good if you intend to use it for its intended purpose.
For children
We begin the review of the brand with children's models. For children, not only comfort is very important, but also a bright, beautiful view. Stels has many models of this plan, while for the smallest - runbikes, and for older children, already with this transmission and other useful equipment. It is worth saying that in the Stels category of children's bicycles, the reviews on them are absolutely positive. Children like bikes, and parents like the price of these bikes, so it’s definitely worth considering Stels as the first bike.
The children's line is presented by models:
- Talisman;
- Joy;
- Magic
- Flyte;
- Jet
- Flash
- Echo;
- Dolphin (2017);
- Arrow
In addition to such single models, there is a whole children's section of the Pilot version. No, they do not add up like a regular Pilot, so it’s not entirely clear why they are named that way. In general, a company should revise its lineup, re-sort models and make some serious corrections to duplicate models, or even exclude them altogether. But let’s leave it to the designers and return to the children's models.
Frames for very young children are made of steel, varnished and lined with standard parts, which make no sense to describe. The kits come with polyurethane steering wheel covers, additional safety wheels, a flag, a handle for holding the bike for adults, and a lot of stickers in all colors of the rainbow, of course. Separated for girls and boys exclusively in color.
Stels Jet, Flesh and Flyte
Universal models available in different wheel sizes –12 ”/ 14” / 16 ”/ 18”. In 2018, some pilots no longer produce, but the Jet model was replaced, as well as the new Wind line, which has a very funny frame shape.
The Stels Jet bike reviews are acceptable, apart from the rare complaints of a poorly held plastic protection at the top of the frame. However, there is nothing to break in this bike, and thick steel nuts are unlikely to somehow crank or loosen under the weight of the child.
The Stels Flyte bike reviews are similar. The only catch on these bikes is the heavy weight in the 16 ”and 18” trim levels. It may be difficult for some children to disperse it at the first attempts to learn to ride. Over time, this goes away, so the problem can be considered relative.
The rest of the bicycles in the children's section are not very different from each other. All have one gear and additional safety wheels. The differences are only in the dimensions of the frame and wheels. Also, all children's "Stealth" threaded steering column, which allows you to adjust the steering wheel in height, without reconfiguring the steering.
Mountain models
With mountain bikes, the "Stealth" is a little worse. For example, the company did not go further than the Deore body kit, even the most recent models are not equipped with high-level forks, there is not a single sane double suspension. The top models of 2018 look quite interesting and even capable of something. They have not been run-in enough yet, all the problems have not yet been manifested, only after the end of this year it will be possible to examine in detail the reviews on Stels Navigator mountain bikes and draw conclusions regarding the purchase.
MTB bikes are divided into male and female, and somehow even too much. Women's bikes include models marked Miss, but most of the options are just duplicated from the Navigator series. The only difference is that they are assembled on a different frame.
Navigator Series
The Navigator mountain range includes the 5xx, 6xx, 7xx series and a separate 900 MD bike (which is clearly worse than the 6xx series and it is not clear why it is higher than everyone in the model range). When choosing, it makes sense to dwell on the 6xx series, since it is functional, and there are interesting models in the form of Navigator 670 and 660.
Reviews about the bike Stels 600 series can be divided into two groups:
- Impressions from inexperienced users who liked the bike, since neither the spring fork nor the Acera switch bothers.
- From people who know a lot about good tales and are able to evaluate it in fact. In this group, he did not receive a large number of positive reviews. Nevertheless, if you remember that the bike is not designed for extreme skiing, the situation becomes much more fun. The only indisputable fact is that for its money it is quite attractive and still causes a desire to ride it.
Carbon miracle
The most interesting mountain bike model is the 2017 Stels Navigator 890D. You will be surprised, but the frame is made of carbon fiber. It has a body kit Deore, which is suitable for all beginners and advanced riders. The bike is no longer suitable for simple trips to the store, but on difficult trails it will be quite uncomfortable for him. This is such a mediocre bike among the famous carbon models. In appearance, the bike is really attractive, but, like most Stealth, it has several strange engineering solutions:
- 26 ”wheels.
- Not the best, albeit airy fork
- 1.95 ”narrow tires. They are suitable for the road, but off-road will be difficult.
- SLX rear derailleur.
- Some strange pedals.
- Due to the middle level components, a lot of weight, like for a carbon model.
And all this could be faulted if it were not for the price tag. On average, prices for carbon models start at 100 thousand rubles. Navigator 890D costs about 75 thousand, which significantly outperforms competitors.
Reviews on bikes Stels Navigator 890D correspond to reality. It will be difficult for a bicycle to compete with professional bikes in the top Sram body kit, but it will be to the taste of those who just decided to switch to carbon or just want to experience all the advantages of this material. One way or another, for active cross-country skiing, the bike is just perfect.
Hybrids and urban models
Perhaps, Stels cope with the road and children's bicycles best of all. Here you do not need to apply complex technical solutions and look for new options to increase comfort and reduce weight. The design and practicality of use, which is quite acceptable for urban "Stealth", are coming to the fore.
Urban models are labeled in the same way as mountain ones - Navigator, but all indices are in the range 2xx-3xx. There are male and female bicycles. All of them are comfortable, with large 26-28 ”wheels, retro frames, some even have planetary bushings. We will not highlight any specific models, since there are no significant differences and some new solutions.
Only one hybrid - Stels Navigator 700v. It has the following characteristics:
- 26x1.95 ”wheels.
- Frame with standard geometry.
- Suspension fork with 50 mm stroke.
- There is a trunk, everything is adjustable.
What else do you need? For everyday business trips and country trips, this is a great bike. In addition, you do not overpay for the brand, as is the case with Specialized, for example.
Other types
Oddly enough, but Stels is trying to produce BMX bicycles. True, as is the case with mountain bikes, this does not work out very well. However, their frames are sturdy, so when upgrading the equipment, the bike can pass for the entry-level BMX.
In the lineup there are as many as three fatbikes with primary-class equipment, two of which are teenage. All are equipped with a rigid fork and do not have a rear shock absorber. The body kit does not rise above the Acera, and the weight could have been reduced, since the heavier the bike, the more terrain it suffers.
Reviews about Stels extreme bikes reach a maximum of four. Users don't really like the stock drivetrain. The bushings on the nuts are also inconvenient.
Is there an alternative?
It is important to understand that this brand specializes in the production of urban walking bikes, but not sports models. Therefore, it is not worth buying any country copies with plans for a further upgrade. In any case, buying a Stels bike for a child, a girl or individual simple tasks is a perfectly justified decision. Yes, they cannot compete with the top Scott or Cube bikes, but they are pleasantly pleasing for the price, and for many this is the main thing.
Whether or not to buy Stealth is up to you. The best way to choose the instance that you like is to sit down and ride it. If everything suits you and there’s nothing to complain about, then take it; if not, try so many models to choose a really comfortable and beautiful bike.
General reviews
If we consider the general impressions of people who bought Stels bikes, then the responses are quite good and even pull on a solid four. But it is important to take into account the contingent. "Stealth" is bought mainly by people who do not really attach importance to the quality of the bike and the presence of a mass of options for fine-tuning the equipment for themselves. Most of them have never tried to ride a 10 kg bike with a top-drive transmission, so there is nothing to compare with. If this also does not matter to you, then feel free to buy and leave your feedback about Stels bikes.