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Hi all. New to STW, long time reader, first time caller!
I was wondering if anyone on here owned either the Sonder Transmitter or the steel version of the Signal, and could give a real-world view on the bikes.
I find myself without a bike again, right at the worst time. Ideally, I’d try both bikes, but that’s a little bit difficult these days.
I’m looking at both with the same build kit - NX, Guide T, and Pike Ultimate.
I’d love to hear owner reviews.
You can hire one to test it out.
I ran an original Transmitter - a pre-production frame - for a couple of years and have just built up one of the current model frames. They're just brilliant trail hardtails and running 2.8s gives you shedloads of grip and extra cush that means they fly over small to medium stuff.
Faster rolling than you'd think as well with the right rear tyre. Modern geometry. The plus tyres a bit pressure sensitive, but mostly they're great bikes and sort of halfway between a conventional hardtail and full sus thanks to the tyres. Not boutique or flash, but that's kind of part of the attraction.
Haven't ridden a Signal.
There are a few who have the Signal St. @Mattoutandabout I think bought one for his lad. Very nice but won't take a 27.5 if that's a concern.
Transmitter carbon nx with cheap dropper option. On Saturday. There are various reviews online I'll not attempt to duplicate. My other bikes are a laPierre zesty, FS and cheap carbo cross and road bikes. I'm 5'10" and was pointed at a large frame but wish I'd got a medium. Been the bike I've ridden through winter in 2.8 big nobblies. It's heavier than you'd expect, and I prefer my FS for rockier techier stuff. I've got some little 2.8 nobblies to put on for the Jenn ride bikepacking which should roll a bit easier.
Anyway, a bit of a compromise do it all bike, but the right one for Saturday's half day 40km 1.5 km of climbing ride, it climbs v well (cleaned all bar the steep loose corner up the calf) and makes easy work of stuff like the slightly tech drop into bowderdale. A better rider could push it a lot harder no doubt.
Transmitter is decent - no experience of the Signal. My mate bought one after I suggested it as a budget 650b frame vs the others he couldn’t quite justify the cost of (e.g Stanton Slackline).
I have a 2019 transmitter. It's my first bike since my old 2006 giant xtc xc mtb so not a load to compare it to but I'll give my thoughts.
Pros
Slack geometry is really reassuring on steep stuff - their marketing refers to it as a hooligan and it does feel like it a bit, it let's me get away with quite a lot
12 gears is great
Climbs well
Compared to other similar spec bikes it seemed decent value
Cons
I don't find it super comfortable on the flat (but I have gotten used to it over time) if I was more of an xc rider rather than keen to find hills to ride down I'd look for something else
The paint chips/wears very easily
General
Not sure if your model comes with a dropper post but if not, make sure you spec one
I feel like a Pike might be overkill but I assume you have good reasons
big fan of my transmitter
moved the parts from my DMR trailstar to the transmitter and threw a pair of 2.6 Dissectors on and my god my riding has changed, fast climbs and loops.
Had 140mm coil converted pikes on and now trying some mattoc comps... which brings me to the negative.. the back end feels very smashy smashy to me so far.. but its not unbearable by any means..and i'm still in 2 minds if its related to by unhappyness with my fork setup so far. And also, ive gone from steel to Aluminium, so my comparisons are quite limited
it really is an excellent frame, looks great too and a bargain price.
If Steel vs alloy is the issue... I ran the original transmitter for a couple of years. My first new bike for 20 years, modern geo ace etc. I switched frame to a steel Cotic Solaris max & this definitely has a smoother feel over the rough stuff.
the back end feels very smashy smashy to me so far.
That's why I put 2.8s on, mine has the 27.5+ wheels, and the frames have plenty of clearance at the back. It does make a difference
Thanks for the replies everyone!
I think I'm going to go for the Signal. It's likely a better fit for me with less travel.
@johnx2, is the carbon frame stiff or does it have some give? Hard to quantify I know but it looks like a pretty stiff and strong frame.
I had the first gen Transmitter, it was great fun and really capable. Unfortunately the chainstay snapped (the latest Transmitter has been improved in this area) anyway I was offered a warranty replacement.
I decided to pay a bit more for a Signal Ti frame and transfer over my transmitter parts. It’s and amazing bike, very fast and comfortable. I imagine the steel version will be similar if a bit heavier. The geometry has been slightly tweeked on the steel version I believe.
is the carbon frame stiff or does it have some give?
Stiff, or at least stiffer than the scott scale which is the only other carbon hardtail i've owned and which eventually snapped.
Bit of a thread grab, apologies, but it seems sensible to ask here rather than starting a new topic. I have a transmitter carbon (it is superb) and have been running 2.6 but I'm plus curious.
What 2.8's are people running? Would I get away with 2.8's on Hunt trailwide (30mm internal) rims?
Got Michelin Wild Enduro and WTB Vigilante both 2.8s on atm. Bought because cheap. Plenty of clearance and could maybe get away with a notch bigger
I have steel signal with 130 pike fork brought as general purpose mtb as i already have a bigger travel enduro bike. I live in the peak district and it has performed great so far, rolls along a treat on the trails like monsal and high peak. On the downhills its been fine eg devils elbow, bakewell and at lady cannings trails handles with ease. It's my first time on a 29er and i can see why they have taken off