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I'm torn. I'm looking for a gravel bike less than £1,500 and trying to choose between these two.
http://nukeproof.com/products/digger-comp-2020/
https://alpkit.com/collections/sonder-camino/products/sonder-camino-al-v3-apex1-hydraulic
I'm open to better ideas but I want a fairly simple 1x setup for towpath bashing and rides out with my wife for which I won't need the full suss. Also to take on family holidays when the full suss is
way overengineered.
PLEASE stick within the budget and don't just tell me what your bike is and why it's better, THANKS 🙂
Watching with interest as these are the two on my list.
That would be great if anyone else had an opinion! 😉
I've got a v1 Camino so I'm biased but the customer service from Alpkit/Sonder had been great.
The Nukeproof hands down, if you can find one available. bergamont grandurance 6 also meets your requirements, although the tyre clearance is a bit measily.
No idea on the Nukeproof
But I do have the Camino AL and you’ll find it’s still lots of fun on stuff steeper than you’re looking at.
Locally, it’s the quickest bike I have overall. The Full Sus obviously demolishes it downhill off road. But it takes a lot longer getting there. Local is a mix of easy tracks/paths/back roads.
Love my Camino AL, run 650 wheels in the summer and 700 wheels in the winter, really versatile bike. Loads of fun on my local Gravel tracks and pretty fast on the tarmac sections. Not sure I would have Sram apex again though, bit clunky compared to Shimano.
I'd buy the Sonder purely based on the reviews of customer service.
For what you describe, would the cheaper non-hydro model work? I think I'd go carbon fork and cable discs...
I want a Camino AL (frameset) but they are out of stock until end of June. I suppose that’s not too far off.
You'll struggle to find a new digger anywhere - my friend tried every dealer and some were taking deposits for 2021 models...
I think MTBers are going for the Diggers as they are a known MTB brand first and this is there take on a drop bar bike?!
Ironically he ended up with a factory and a comp and has the 2020 Comp in Medium to sell if of interest.
I have a 2019 Comp which is a hoot to ride anywhere and been a great first drop bar bike for me, but then the Camino was what I was originally aiming for (digger came up cheap on ebay).
Apex stuff seems OK for a basic hydraulic groupset, - i'd prefer to give the GRX setups a try like on the 2020 models.
I really do not think you'd be disappointed with either of your choices.
Just remember all diggers are 650b with a 47c maximum clearance - tried 2.1s, they fit but about 1mm clearance.
You'll get more choice speccing a camino through sonder and they might even do a few custom bits for you.
I’ve just been out for my first ride on the Camino that was in FGF last week. First impressions are excellent- the ride position is really comfortable, it’s a good spec for the price, and the Bomber bars are something of a revelation to me. For the kind of riding you’re describing it would be more than adequate, and would handle a lot more - though I’d be tempted to swap the tyres for something burlier if I was riding more rough stuff than gravel. I’d also add some protection to the chainstay before my first ride out, to protect the paint. I haven’t ridden the Digger so I can’t comment on it, sorry.
PLEASE stick within the budget and don’t just tell me what your bike is and why it’s better, THANKS
Whoa! You do realise where you’ve posted this right? 😉
The Whyte Friston in 54 is available for £1,199 from Paul’s Cycles at the moment. If I had the cash I would snap it up. Out of the two you’ve mentioned I’d go with the Sonder. Seems to be a well liked, versatile machine and I’ve heard nothing but good things about dealing with Alpkit.
Comparing the geo charts the digger looks like a road bike, headtube waaay too short for any offroading
Camino pretty well thought out on the whole
I vote camino. But with the nukeproof bars...