Sonder Camino - any other suggestions?

[TheJimi]

Looking at my first gravel bike.

https://alpkit.com/collections/sonder-gravel-bikes...

From a spec / price perspective, this looks hard to beat.

Do you knowledgeable lot have any other suggestions? 1200 max, preferably less.

Must have hydraulics.

[Blink982]

I am not sure what is around at that budget with a 1x drivetrain but plenty of 2x Tiagra 10 speed options inc Merlin Malt, Cannondale Topstone, Boardman ADV8.9, pinnacle arkose d2 and I’m sure Trek Checkpoint. The cheapest 105 bike is probably the arkose d3 or Ribble CGR. Most, if not all will be sold out. Take a look at Canyon’s lead times on the Grail AL! The arkose probably offer the best value, there is a lengthy thread on singletrackworld. My brother is expecting a d2 next week and it’s taken him weeks to sort out such is demand and the impact of cv19 on Evans’.

Edited by Blink982 on Sunday 14th June 05:12

[LimaDelta]

I read on another gravel bike thread that the Titus Goldrush is the same frame as the Sonder Camino. Not sure if that is true or no but certainly looks very similar and likely made in the same place.

[TheJimi]

It does look like the Arkose D3 is a very good deal.

[Usget]

I'd have the Sonder!

[TheJimi]

To update the thread - coz I know you're all on the edge of your seats

I've ordered an Arkose D3 today.

A) it's a lot of bike for the money and B) it's available now - unlike just about everything else, including the Camino which I originally wanted.

[Zigster]

My wife has the Arkose D2. Great bike and I’m quite envious. As you say, a lot of bike for the money. Only shame is that it doesn’t have a gravel-specific groupset, although I think the Arkose X does.

[TheJimi]

Zigster said:

My wife has the Arkose D2. Great bike and I’m quite envious. As you say, a lot of bike for the money. Only shame is that it doesn’t have a gravel-specific groupset, although I think the Arkose X does.

Yeah, not gravel specific, but then, I'll most likely be spending most of my time on the road, or on very light off road paths, so I don't really need the bias towards gravel that comes with 1 x groupset. I'm also not serious enough about it to spend more than I have done.

This will be my only bike, currently, and I wanted to scratch the road bike / dropbar itch but still have the option to go on off-road paths as well, so by that logic, it fits my use-case really well - I think - I hope I'm not talking bks!

[Zigster]

Makes sense to me. Enjoy!