Sonder Transmitter .... what else should I be considering?
Discussion
I like the look of the Sonder Transmitter but before I pull the trigger I would love to hear what else I should be considering in a similar price bracket.
Use is mostly forest tracks and bridal ways but with the odd trip to a Llandegla.
Use is mostly forest tracks and bridal ways but with the odd trip to a Llandegla.
Edited by Hoddo on Monday 4th May 12:25
The Boardman hardtails at this price juncture seem to be highly praised, the older 'Pro 29er' used to be significantly lighter than most of its competition.
Admittedly I'd prefer something from a more specialist brand; like some of those listed, but the Boardmans are hard to ignore:
https://off.road.cc/content/news/first-look-2020-b...
Admittedly I'd prefer something from a more specialist brand; like some of those listed, but the Boardmans are hard to ignore:
https://off.road.cc/content/news/first-look-2020-b...
The Sonder frame is top notch (speaking as a Sonder Signal Ti owner) but that SX rear mech is very easy to break and the recon fork is heavy and not the best for a compliant ride though stiff as any other Rockshox up to pike level imo. I bought my Signal in SX spec as I knew I'd be upgrading bits as I went/wore bits out but busted the rear mech in a week, replaced with an NX as it was available and it seems to work /shift fine, I also swapped the recons for full spec (select+) used pikes not long after as the recons were rattling my teeth on flat out rooty trails. The SX spec cassette is heavy and uses a shimano freehub so you cant fit SRAM SD spec 12spd cassettes (GX spec up?) if say you wanted a 10-50T range or lighter cassette if that mattered. I suspect that all similar price (and probably higher) Hard tails have same similar finishing kit specs so these points are more for info if you plan to update/replace bits later as you go.
Hoddo said:
How good is it for XC though. The frame looks pretty hardcore.
It depends what you actually mean by 'XC'I have a carbon XC race bike as well and I ride both interchangeably so have a regular direct comparison.
You wouldn't do an XC race on the sonder but i'd say for general riding it's 95% as good as the dedicated XC bike. It's a light weight carbon hard tail so no reason why it wouldn't be. The only area it really suffers is on really steep really technical climbs where it's more difficult to get weight over the front and the steering tends to wander a bit more. The ability downhill more than makes up for it though on a fun ride.
If I'm going to a trail centre for instance (say Dalby/Sherwood etc.) or a Peak District ride I'd take the Sonder generally.
By the way I've put 29" wheels on my transmitter rather than the 650b+ it came with but I find it steers a little slow so will probably change back to 650b wheels at some point.
fredd1e said:
The Sonder frame is top notch (speaking as a Sonder Signal Ti owner) but that SX rear mech is very easy to break and the recon fork is heavy and not the best for a compliant ride though stiff as any other Rockshox up to pike level imo. I bought my Signal in SX spec as I knew I'd be upgrading bits as I went/wore bits out but busted the rear mech in a week, replaced with an NX as it was available and it seems to work /shift fine, I also swapped the recons for full spec (select+) used pikes not long after as the recons were rattling my teeth on flat out rooty trails. The SX spec cassette is heavy and uses a shimano freehub so you cant fit SRAM SD spec 12spd cassettes (GX spec up?) if say you wanted a 10-50T range or lighter cassette if that mattered. I suspect that all similar price (and probably higher) Hard tails have same similar finishing kit specs so these points are more for info if you plan to update/replace bits later as you go.
The Signal Ti seems like bit of a bargain for a Ti bike. How come you chose it and how do you find it compares to similar bikes you've tried. One of the few reviews I've found says it's a wheelie and manual monster.
Personally I hate plus tyres, so that would put me off. I think they’re awful bloody things.
For slightly more I’d seriously look at the Vitus Sentier VRS. The biggest selling point for me was the fork, which is loads better than anything else at this price point. The dropper post is good, brakes are good, Schwable tyres with good compounds etc. The SRAM SX drivetrain is fine, you can see that it’s been built to a price but I can’t complain about mine five months in.
The Vitus isn’t particularly cool, but I’ve been impressed with it so far.
For slightly more I’d seriously look at the Vitus Sentier VRS. The biggest selling point for me was the fork, which is loads better than anything else at this price point. The dropper post is good, brakes are good, Schwable tyres with good compounds etc. The SRAM SX drivetrain is fine, you can see that it’s been built to a price but I can’t complain about mine five months in.
The Vitus isn’t particularly cool, but I’ve been impressed with it so far.
dai1983 said:
The Signal Ti seems like bit of a bargain for a Ti bike. How come you chose it and how do you find it compares to similar bikes you've tried.
One of the few reviews I've found says it's a wheelie and manual monster.
I love it and I have used it exclusively for the local wood use since purchase in Jan, which has a Red and black marked routes over which I've set my PBs on the Signal rather than the Full boing (5yr old Ibis HD3) though I suspect the full sus bike makes me lazy whereas you have to be at full focus on the Signal on these RED and Black runs . As to wheelie monster, cant say I've noticed that though I'm more keen on it staying on the trail on a steep uphill climbs which its managed well so far . As to price compared to the nearest? Ti framed competitor its an absolute steal. I think Ribble want more for their Ti HT frame than I paid for the full bike. One of the few reviews I've found says it's a wheelie and manual monster.
vwsurfbum said:
On one Scandal around the same value and banging spec and Geo for the money
GX is on sale as well at the same £999 as the SX right now. https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/mountain-bikes...
Hoddo said:
vwsurfbum said:
On one Scandal around the same value and banging spec and Geo for the money
GX is on sale as well at the same £999 as the SX right now. https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/mountain-bikes...
The value looks pretty good indeed.
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