First launched in 2016 Sonder Camino Ti has been round for so long as Sonder itself. From then till now it stays one of the in style bikes within the vary and one that’s ceaselessly really useful on many a “what gravel bike…?” thread.
It’s properly considered at Biking Weekly too, again in 2020 we topped it with our Editor’s Selection Award. There have been just a few adjustments to the Camino’s design since then so it appears like a superb time to see the way it performs on this yr’s Gravel Bike of the Yr testing.
The development
For this yr we had the titanium-framed model of the Camino which appears lovely, there’s simply one thing straight tubes with a uncooked end that’s exhausting to beat (and that’s not simply because they’re very easy to wash). There’s additionally the benefit of the end being far more sturdy to put on and tear than a painted or carbon body, an actual bonus should you’re trying so as to add baggage. The alloy model can also be out there in case your funds is extra modest (body solely Ti £1,999, alloy £599).
Regardless of the terrain, the Camino is all the time a superb giggle to experience
(Picture credit score: Future)
To maintain the clear look the cabling runs internally by the down tube. To make servicing faster and simpler there’s an entry hatch below the underside bracket shell so you possibly can re-cable with out the necessity for specialist instruments. There are extra cable ports to run numerous shifter/mech mixtures in addition to a dropper publish and an array of mounts. The positioning of the seat tube mounts on the small body means you possibly can’t match a 600ml bottle should you’re working a regular body bag below the highest tube.
The Camino is unashamedly a motorbike that’s designed for technical gravel as a lot as long-distance adventures. That is mirrored within the geometry, the wheelbase (small body, 1050mm) and chainstays (434mm) are longer than many of the different bikes in our take a look at and the top angle slacker too (69o). The stack is comparatively excessive to permit a extra upright and cozy place for longer days within the saddle (attain 380mm, stack 564mm). It’s also possible to match as much as 50mm 700cc tyres or 650b wheels with 2.2” tyres if you wish to push the Camino’s technical skills.
These are flared bars from Sonder, however you possibly can spec all kinds of options
(Picture credit score: Future)
There’s an enormous selection of construct choices for the Camino, within the titanium mannequin alone there are 11 (plus body solely) listed on the web site and every may be tailor-made to the precise specification you want. That a lot selection will both excite or terrify you, both method, it’s not as sophisticated because it sounds.
The important thing distinction between the fashions is the drive prepare with just about each stage of SRAM XPLR, SRAM Street, Shimano GRX and Shimano Street out there to decide on together with 1x, 2x, mechanical and digital. Campagnolo Ekar can also be an possibility.
Our bike was outfitted as commonplace with the 12-speed Rival AXS drivetrain
(Picture credit score: Future)
When you’ve chosen your drive chain mannequin that fits your model, gearing and funds you possibly can just about select all of the remaining elements or stick to the usual construct. A few of the adjustments are like for like so don’t incur extra fees, others are upgrades. This reasonably priced customisation can also be a function of the Cotic Cascade. For the Camino, you possibly can even ask Sonder to construct the bike with your individual sourced elements, with the worth lowered accordingly.
For our evaluation we selected the usual construct of the Ti Rival 1 AXS XPLR as at £3,199 it fell comfortably inside our funds. Along with the 12-speed Rival AXS drivetrain and brakes the construct comes with a monocoque carbon fork and Sonder Alpha alloy wheels (in-built Sonder’s Nottingham HQ) with Goodyear Connector 45mm tyres. The ending package is all Sonder together with the flared alloy bar and saddle which has a really shut resemblance to the favored Cloth Scoop.
The experience
The second you throw your leg over the Camino you possibly can really feel such as you’re going to have a superb time. This isn’t a motorbike that dictates what and the way you experience, it’s a motorbike that asks what you fancy doing and immediately being up for the journey. In actual fact, my first couple of days on the Camino proved its adaptability and functionality to do all of it.
First experience out I strapped on many, very full baggage of motorbike baggage to enterprise off for my son’s first bikepacking journey. The load was heavy and the tempo gradual however the Camino made it a pleasure. Even with all the load the Camino stays agile and attentive to each steering and pedalling inputs.
Along with your weight within the centre of the bike the Camino feels extremely secure
(Picture credit score: Future)
As soon as night got here I unloaded the luggage, tweaked the tyre strain and headed out onto the technical trails I’d normally experience on my mountain bike. It’s no secret that the geometry of the Camino has been influenced by MTB geometry and it reveals. Along with your weight in the course of the bike, it’s extremely secure and straightforward to manoeuvre on twisty and rocky trails, restricted solely by the dimensions of the tyres.
The subsequent morning I used to be out solo as soon as once more, this time for a tempo session on the highway. The Camino isn’t going to be as fast as a extra race-biased gravel bike but it surely does a wonderfully good job. It’s attentive to pedalling efforts whether or not you’re spinning alongside or out the saddle. If I used to be planning numerous tarmac on a experience I’d take into account swapping the tyres for one thing narrower for rather less drag.
There are many mounts for bikepacking baggage
(Picture credit score: Future)
And onto my closing experience of that weekend, I used to be loaded up and prepared for half two of the household experience the place we headed the lengthy gravelly method again. By now I used to be carrying numerous fatigue in addition to baggage, so I actually appreciated the consolation of the huge tyres and titanium body. There’s one other pleasing good thing about the titanium body should you’re contemplating bike baggage and that’s the information that you simply’ve acquired no paint or carbon layers to put on away together with your baggage. This protects numerous time and frustration including tape to quite a few elements of your bike to guard it from the straps.
Many riders love them however personally I by no means actually acquired on with the flared Bomber bars as I missed the width on the highest of the bar for each using and becoming in a big bar bag. For those who really feel equally, Sonder’s construct selector gives a regular drop bar possibility in a few widths for no extra value.
Worth
For a titanium-framed bike with a full Rival AXS drivetrain, £3,199 is already a wonderful worth. For those who take into account the enjoyment issue and the vary of gravel using you get to do, then its worth exponentially will increase.
Specs
- Frameset: Camino Ti Body and Monocoque Carbon fork
- Shifters: SRAM Rival AXS | 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM Rival AXS | Hydraulic
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Rival AXS XPLR | 12-speed
- Chainset: SRAM Rival1 Huge Chainset | 12-Velocity
- Cassette: SRAM XG1251 | 10-44t | 12-speed
- Chain: SRAM Rival | 12-speed
- Backside bracket: SRAM DUB | BSA | 68mm
- Wheels: Sonder Alpha 700c
- Tyres: Goodyear Connector | 700c | 45mm | Tan Wall
- Handlebars: Sonder Bomber alloy
- Stem: Sonder Storc alloy
- Seatpost: alloy
- Saddle: Sonder Abode
- Sizes: XS – XL
