[Closed] That Sonder Transmitter on the homepage...

It is very nice indeed, I wonder what weight it is with the carbon wheels?

No 2x. A'hm out!

tis tasty

It's braw, indeed. And not the kind of bike you'd use for touring, so no need for 2x.... 8)

Am I the only one slightly aroused by this bike?

No. It's been giving me a lazy one for a while. Even more so that I could just strip down the Solaris chubby I am riding and use all of the parts.

And maybe sell the full suss too.

Tis a thing of beauty.

Looks good, pity it stops at size large. I'm oot!

And not the kind of bike you'd use for touring, so no need for 2x....

Certainly looks a nice bike at a nice price.

Indeed, the intended use of that bike isn't bike-packing, monster XC days or XC training, its firmly aimed at blasting down the local trail centre at warp speed, for which a 1x is a perfect choice.

At a 26.5lbs weight fully built....why on earth couldn't you do a monster XC ride? 1x11 isn't limiting.

And not the kind of bike you'd use for touring, so no need for 2x....

Indeed, the intended use of that bike isn't bike-packing, monster XC days or XC training, its firmly aimed at blasting down the local trail centre at warp speed, for which a 1x is a perfect choice.

Also my fairly typically old 2x set-up (38/26 + 11-36) gave a 475% gear range. This 1x has a 500% gear range.

OMG!!! - I wasn't being completely serious. My Marley is 1x....

stealth 1x haters thread! 😉

It looks a cracking bike and the new alu frame has the same updated geo now, for £300!

1x11 isn't limiting.

But i'd agree its not limiting for ripping round Glentress (other TC's exist) which is clearly what the bike is meant for.

Nonsense! You can't just consign anything 1x to your metaphorical trail centre dustbin! 🙂

I think it's gorgeous

now that the CFO has commandeered my blue pig I might be able to justify a frame only deal on that

Nonsense! You can't just consign anything 1x to your metaphorical trail centre dustbin!

But there's other stuff too.
65deg HA
780mm bars
Only takes 1 bottle cage
Not really sure why people have taken so much offence at pointing out a bike that's clearly been designed with a certain niche of riding in mind.

Would you also be offended if I said a Scott Scale was designed for XC, or a Canyon Sender was designed for DH?

I like it too, still not 100% sold on plus tyres yet though as a pauper and a skinflint.

The short stem looks a bit silly side on, love the thin TT though.

I'm in no way offended, just a little weary of 1x hating for the sake of it. And niche riding, really? Maybe your precise requirements are the niche! 🙂

A mate recently got the base Sektor/Alu reef green one on cycle to work, they look great and i was surprised at how light it was even with the reportedly heavy non-carbon love mud wheels. Not sold on plus tyres though, and i'd still stick with my steel Stanton over the carbon Transmitter if you offered me a swap.

The colors are really nice but this black one looks sick.

Tis indeed a beaut.

I had a very quick ride on a large one (oooer) around the Alpkit showroom a month or so back.

Rode very nice for the short car park tarmac with a few pot holes distance, and I was tempted to take the nice man up on his offer to take it for a ride round the peaks.

Unfortunately the seat tube was a bit too long for my short legs and a dropper post so I decided against it - hence didn't want to 'borrow' it for a day with no sale for the chap afterwards.

Ultimately I spent a bit less and built up a Dartmoor Primal Plus. So far I'm sold on the plus bike and probably will end up with the Carbon Transmitter frame and a 100mm dropper instead of 125mm.

Need to get some miles on the Dartmoor first though, just to be sure as £700 on a frame is a lot if I lose the interest in plussness.

PS. I'm a smidge under 6 foot with a long torso and 31" inside leg - hence the need for a reasonably long reach yet short seat tube.

Frame RRP: £699

That's pretty reasonable when compared with similarly fun angled 27+ frames, my choice would be to run it with 29x2.3" tyres but the blurb seems to be discouraging using it with 29" wheels...

Anyone running an Al transmitter with 29 wheels?

Does look interesting, would be interested in it with 29 wheels more though, (seems to be a theme for me at the mo)

Yep, lovely looking bike but as many others have said I'd be more interested in a proper 29er. Am on the lookout for a fun 29er hardtail just now and would definately have put this on the list were it not for the 'designer says wouldn't recommend 29" comment.

By my fag packet maths there ain't much difference between the OD of a 27.5x3.0" tyre and a 29x2.3" tyre...

IME there ain't much difference between the OD of a 27.5x3.0" tyre and a 29x2.3" tyre...

This...

tomhoward - Member
Does look interesting, would be interested in it with 29 wheels more though

This.

There might not be much in the OD's but I wouldn't want to be confined to smaller 29er tyres on a bike with those angles and opportunity for getting lairy.

I'm imagining clearance is tight or too close for comfort thus the fitting of the smaller rear tyre. If a 27.5 x 2.8 is fitted is that comparable to a 29 x 2.1?

Not designing it to also run 29x ~2.3/4 seems a bit daft. That and some sliding dropouts and you've got a super adaptable frame.

TBH I'm happy enough with 26x2.3" it's a good width for general use summer and winter, of course a 29" equivalent has more volume by default and better rollover...

Plus tyres seem to mainly be a summer thing, cush and grip but bobbins for mud.

It's more the geometry that the 'plusness' that appeals to me, having a frame with the latest axle gimmicks sort of covers possible bases for the future too...

I like it but a plus-specific bike that can only do 2.8 rear has failed imo, especially when it's 1x only. 2.8 max is the sort of thing you expect from 29ers with plus tyres jammed in.

While I'm in a negative grumpy bastard mood, what's going on with those wheels? 2kg+, only 35mm inside width, a carbon rim that weighs 520g- they've more or less reinvented the WTB i35 and made it expensive.

Didn't get the decals on straight, shame.

A plus point is that if its optimised for tyres 27.5 and sub 3.0 then fitting a tougher 2.6 rear isn't going to massively effect the geometry. I'd see this as a better set of options for a long/low/slack hardtail than being able to get 29er wheels in.

I had no idea that 1x11 was for trail centre use only, if never have bought if if it known, don't really ride TCs.

The shame.

Agree they dropped the ball not making it officially 29" compatible otherwise a bike like that would clean up given current trends and read contradictory comments regarding compatibility.

In one review the reviewers said they tried standard sized 29" wheels (I assume that means a 2.3" tyre) with no issue. In a separate article on the bike, Brant Richards is quoted saying you cannot run 29" wheels in this frame.

My personal view is that unofficially you probably can use them but with a massive difference in manufacture sizing it opens up a can of worms for Alpkit of one persons 2.3 working and another persons rubbing.

TBF I had a poke about looking at the Q&A section for the Al Transmitter and someone had asked about 29" wheels and the response suggested that it can actually only clear a 27x2.8" tyre, being roughly equivalent to a 29x2.1 OD and that you'd be taking a chance going that bit bigger in terms of clearance on the back of the seat tube...

While £700 isn't a bad price for the Carbon Transmitter, I'd not want to risk buying one, expecting to fit a tyre the manufacturer is specifically advising against, bit of a shame but then it's all probably a bit outside my price bracket at present.

I did of course end up poking about the interwebz looking at 29er and 29 capable 'Plus' frames last night, and almost inevitably found myself looking at the chameleon, it's pricey for an Aluminium frame but ticks lots of boxes as a plus/29er capable frame...

It's not a bike I'm interested in buying in any way as I just don't need a carbon hardtail in my life but it is a lovely thing, some of the details are fantastic and I can't believe that they can do a (very) custom moulded carbon frame for that sort of money. They must be expecting to shift a lot of them.

Well done Alpkit/Sonder

Does look lovely that.

I like the fact that they've committed to a wheel and tyre size and built the best bike they could around that, rather than hedging their bets and compromising. Looks lovely in green too.

And not the kind of bike you'd use for touring, so no need for 2x....
Indeed, the intended use of that bike isn't bike-packing, monster XC days or XC training, its firmly aimed at blasting down the local trail centre at warp speed, for which a 1x is a perfect choice.
Certainly looks a nice bike at a nice price.

I've just ridden mine Coast to Coast off road in 4 days, 215 miles, 8800m of climbing and zero issues. I also regularly do 60-90 mile rides on it...its not just a trail centre weapon, its insanely capable and covers so many bases. On a 1x11 with 32t ring, never felt the need for more at either end (ok maybe a few times on the climbs but the new GX eagle fixes that)

Also, mine weighs a touch over 25lb, carbon wheels, carbon bar, reverb, GX1, light casing Ranger tyres and Huck Norris inserts.

I've just ridden mine Coast to Coast off road in 4 days, 215 miles, 8800m of climbing and zero issues. I also regularly do 60-90 mile rides on it...its not just a trail centre weapon, its insanely capable and covers so many bases. On a 1x11 with 32t ring, never felt the need for more at either end (ok maybe a few times on the climbs but the new GX eagle fixes that)

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean that's what the bike was designed for. You'd certainly never deliberately pick something with 1 bottle cage and a 65°HA for that job.

It's like me saying I rode a road sportive on my 29er this year therefore the BMC Teamelite isn't designed as an XC race bike.

fifeandy - Member

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean that's what the bike was designed for. You'd certainly never deliberately pick something with 1 bottle cage and a 65°HA for that job.

It's like me saying I rode a road sportive on my 29er this year therefore the BMC Teamelite isn't designed as an XC race bike.

That's your viewpoint but you're not everyone - for instance I'd never fit a bottle to a mountainbike so the lack of bosses is irrelevant and the geo looks spot on - a 65 degree head angle has no impact on it's climbing ability if the rest of the geo is sorted and there's no reason to suspect it's not, it just makes it more versatile.

From MY perspective it looks like a very nice light xc bike with big tyres - a trail centre bike (whatever that is) for ME has suspension.

When it says it will clear a 2.8 in the rear...

Is that a proper 2.8 or a trailblazer?

for instance I'd never fit a bottle to a mountainbike so the lack of bosses is irrelevant

Don't get me wrong, I have a camelbak and do sometimes use the bladder, but for a typical 30-40mi ride, why bother with the weight on the back and the hassle of cleaning it after?

When it says it will clear a 2.8 in the rear...

Is that a proper 2.8 or a trailblazer?

some bigger 2.8's won't go, but on a plus tyre there is no real need for a super aggressive tread, the Ranger is an incredibly good tyre in loads of conditions.

If you want something more aggressive i suggest looking at he new 2.6" tyres, they'll work perfectly on this frame.

Whilst your on the thread sxneil and have one, have you tried a 29er wheel in the back of it?

Just seems a shame if they are speccing a 29er fork with it as well.

some bigger 2.8's won't go, but on a plus tyre there is no real need for a super aggressive tread, the Ranger is an incredibly good tyre in loads of conditions.

similar to what I am doing on my Solaris at the moment. Just wondering whether to strip it down, go for the lighter and slacker Sonder!

29er with a small tyre will fit (2.4 trail boss has a few MM of clearance to the seat tube) but i wouldn't recommend it as the BB would be a bit high.

i'd recommend people who are sceptical about plus give them a go, setup tubeless with a decent set of tyres they're definitely faster downhill than a 29er and have more traction for the ups....i don't really see any negatives!

i don't really see any negatives!

Surely it is just an off the shelf AliExpress frame?

Surely it is just an off the shelf AliExpress frame?

Nope, Its our own mould designed 100% from the ground up with the frames made to our specs using high grade Toray T700 carbon

(I'm Neil from Sonder BTW)

[quote=fifeandy ]
Don't get me wrong, I have a camelbak and do sometimes use the bladder, [b]but for a typical 30-40mi ride[/b], why bother with the weight on the back and the hassle of cleaning it after?

Nice humblebrag
[img] [/img]

Hi Neil!

Your bike looks great. I was all set to buy a FS next Feb/Jan but this is really tempting me.

I appreciate Plus has its advantages, but I'm now sold on/committed to 29" and I really just want to reproduce my old 456SS on bigger dia' wheels...

As per the thread I started the other day, a whyte 529/629 frame probably addresses my basic needs, but I have to say I like the look of the transmitter Al/CF just because of the angles and layout and the prices...

If I can get a 29x2.3" Slaughter/butcher in the back and fit a 120mm travel Reba to the front I might just add it to the shortlist...

Just seems a shame if they are speccing a 29er fork with it as well.

i'd recommend people who are sceptical about plus give them a go, setup tubeless with a decent set of tyres they're definitely faster downhill than a 29er and have more traction for the ups....i don't really see any negatives!

Just waiting for Del's chameleon to finally arrive and i'll have a go 😆

Sonder has chosen to spec the 29in version of the Revelation fork, meaning it has clearance for the 27.5×3.0in front tyre

Slightly misleading report then, if thats the only fork they could spec 😉

fifeandy - Member

Seriously? (Genuine question). Why would you actually want to carry around 1.5kg of water and have a silly hose hanging over your shoulder when the bike will carry it for you?

Ask the ton of people at the Twentyfour12 who had waterbottles absolutely caked in mud, especially the bloke who was completely hanging and stopped at our tent to ask for a swig of water.....

Regarding 1.5kg of water; I believe you can fill them as much or as little as you want, so you could have the same amount as a bottle or you could have more.

Regarding the silly hose....is this the hose that means while riding you only have to momentarily take a hand off the bars to prod the bite valve into your mouth to start drinking (<2s in reality), rather than reach down to take a bottle from the frame, put the bottle to your mouth & hold it there while drinking before returning the bottle to the frame & correctly locating it in the cage?

Also, dog poo, sheep poo, cow poo.....

waterbottles absolutely caked in mud

Also, dog poo, sheep poo, cow poo.....

I think bottles on bikes look sh*t.

So I carry it in my backpack.

allthegear, no need!!! 😳

It kind of looks ok but that mahoosive space behind the front wheel and down tube just looks a bit "off" to me.

Anyway,I won't ever be buying anything other than 29" from now on. Totally sold on them now.

plus-specific bike that can only do 2.8 rear has failed imo

Ibis started by trying to make a plus size ripley (their 29 frame) and ended up upsizing a Mojo with the specific design intent not to make it 29 compatible. Their view was that introduced compromises that negated some of the advantages of plus. It might be angels on a pinhead but I doubt they would do that just to give themselves a unique selling (or not selling point)

I've ridden both types. Prefer plus to 29 in a plus frame. Many others prefer it the other way round hence the compatibility being important. But that doesn't make it a fail for me.

Oh the Sonder looks lovely. Agree about the wheels tho /sanity is restored.

Crikey whatever did people do before the invention of the camelbak!!!???!

I'm another one who's come full circle back to the wonders of just using a bottle/cage rather than lugging a rucksack full of water and 'stuff' round, especially for a short loop...

TBH though I'd just find another way to retro-fit a cage if the frame lacks mounts.

Other people like clean looking, uncluttered bikes and that's fine too...

Also it does seem to have a set of bottle bosses, 30-40[i] mile[/i] ride I'd use a backpack, 30-40[i] min [/i]ride I'd use a bottle.

I can't remember the last time I carried 2 bottle on any of my bikes.
If I need more than 1, I can take a Travel Tap, or mostly as I like to carry a lot of spares, clothes, etc carry a camelbak.

But
[img] [/img]

sxneil - Member

When it says it will clear a 2.8 in the rear...
Is that a proper 2.8 or a trailblazer?

some bigger 2.8's won't go,

but on a plus tyre there is no real need for a super aggressive tread, the Ranger is an incredibly good tyre in loads of conditions.

Alex - Member

it's rare for me to disagree with the sanity oracle that is Northwind, but there are good reasons not to make a plus bike 29 compatible.

Actually I'm fine with that, it was the width I meant- 2.8 max is pretty miserly for a plus-specific, 1x specific, boost bike.

(not a fan of those bikes that claim to be Plus and 29 but without any geo changes, that's just a bodge... But here it seems to be mostly about clearance and though I don't care about that from the 29er point of view it's also affecting the b+ functionality)

Poopscoop - Member

I've recently bought the Alu NX With 2018 Revelations. It's a brilliant bike! great for trail centres or big natural rides.I sold my full suss in January with the intention of buying a new full suss and a hardtail. Since getting the transmitter, I've decided not to get a full suss, its that good. In my opinion plus tyres are brilliant on a hardtail and I cant imagine riding one with normal tyres now.I did find the stock wheels too heavy so I changed them to Easton ARC plus on Hope pro 4 hubs, they transformed the bike.

Think they look great and v appealing price. They would be on my shopping list if I was in the market for a new bike

@dave - I don't think Del's chameleon exists. It's a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, contained by a packet of cashews.

Still think the Sonder with 29x2.4 would be ace. Shame really.

Do 2.6" tyres drop the bb by much? Are there any fast rolling 2.6 tyres out there or are they all heavy DH? I use a 165mm. crank.

I guess 2.6 will drop the BB a bit. Im going to be trying Specialized Purgatory 2.6 tyres in the the winter, I've always liked the 2.3 version so should be good. Maxxis plus tyres are silly prices!

Are there any fast rolling 2.6 tyres out there or are they all heavy DH? I use a 165mm. crank.

[i]Simple internal cable routing holes just behind the head tube.[/i]

So 'rattle rattle clang clang' then?

The alloy version has very tidy external routing which is one of the reasons why I like it.

So 'rattle rattle clang clang' then?

Nope, fully internally guided, quietest hardtail i've ever ridden!

That's good then.

Most designers don't bother. Their idea of internal cable routing is to just drill some holes in the frame.

some bigger 2.8's won't go, but on a plus tyre there is no real need for a super aggressive tread, the Ranger is an incredibly good tyre in loads of conditions.

If you want something more aggressive i suggest looking at he new 2.6" tyres, they'll work perfectly on this frame

I'm not sure if they count as big plus tyres but I've got a aluminium Transmitter I've fitted 2.8 Nobby Nics at both ends and the rear fits a treat.

I don't know if it's the new or old geometry model because I bought it second hand off someone who hated it - they were running 40psi front and rear- it's green if that helps. I love the thing, it's a blast on my local trails at Cannock Chase. I especially like that when I messaged Alpkit on their web chat widget thing asking to buy some double cable clamps to run a dropper they sent them to me completely free, didn't even charge me postage. Can't fault that for support for a bike I didn't even buy from them.