Sonder Camino Ti evaluate: versatile, sturdy and enjoyable, it is our Gravel Bike of the 12 months

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 vital well-liked bikes within the vary and one that’s incessantly beneficial on many a “what gravel bike…?” thread.

It’s effectively considered at Biking Weekly too, again in 2020 we topped it with our Editor’s Selection Award. There have been just a few modifications to the Camino’s design since then so it appears like an excellent time to see the way it performs on this 12 months’s Gravel Bike of the 12 months testing.

The development

For this 12 months we had the titanium-framed model of the Camino which seems stunning, 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 scrub). There’s additionally the benefit of the end being way more sturdy to put on and tear than a painted or carbon body, an actual bonus when you’re wanting so as to add baggage. The alloy model can also be accessible in case your price range is extra modest (body solely Ti £1,999, alloy £599).

To maintain the clear look the cabling runs internally via the down tube. To make servicing faster and simpler there’s an entry hatch beneath the underside bracket shell so you’ll be able to re-cable with out the necessity for specialist instruments. There are extra cable ports to run numerous shifter/mech combos in addition to a dropper submit and an array of mounts. The positioning of the seat tube mounts on the small body means you’ll be able to’t match a 600ml bottle when you’re operating a typical body bag beneath 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 a lot of the different bikes in our check and the pinnacle angle slacker too (69^o). The stack is comparatively excessive to permit a extra upright and cozy place for longer days within the saddle (attain 380mm, stack 564mm). You may also match as much as 50mm 700cc tyres or 650b wheels with 2.2” tyres if you wish to push the Camino’s technical skills.

There’s an enormous alternative 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 alternative will both excite or terrify you, both approach, it’s not as difficult because it sounds.

The important thing distinction between the fashions is the drive prepare with just about each degree of SRAM XPLR, SRAM Street, Shimano GRX and Shimano Street accessible to decide on together with 1x, 2x, mechanical and digital. Campagnolo Ekar can also be an choice.

When you’ve chosen your drive chain mannequin that fits your model, gearing and price range you’ll be able to just about select all of the remaining parts or follow the usual construct. A number of the modifications are like for like so don’t incur extra prices, others are upgrades. This inexpensive customisation can also be a function of the Cotic Cascade. For the Camino, you’ll be able to even ask Sonder to construct the bike with your personal sourced parts, with the worth diminished accordingly.