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Has anyone ridden the steel version of Sonder's Broken Road? I'm basically looking for something that I can load up with luggage and ride up, say, the Pennine Bridleway / along the length of the Andes / through Nepal etc, in a capable, but not uninspiring sort of way.
There doesn't seem to be much out there currently in the way of user reviews. Obviously it'll be heavier than the original ti version, but it's not clear how much heavier and how it impacts the ride. I'm less bothered by how it works as a general purpose hardtail trail bike, I have one of those already.
Any experience / thoughts / misgivings etc? Should I just adapt my Transmitter and live with the compromises etc.
Looks like a good price for the Deore version. Very similar to the Genesis Longitude I use as a long distance bikepacking bike. Check the geometry works for you - a high stack is nice for that kind of application. Steel bikes can be unnervingly noodle-like when fully loaded, which is what makes them a bit more comfortable than aluminium bikes I guess.
Thanks. I guess I'll see if I can get a demo ride over in Hathersage and see how it feels. It does look well priced.
XL has a good length headtube (150mm), always a good sign. Less than 140mm, not interested - what else have they got wrong?
What size would you be after? I have a very capable steel tourer sitting unloved at home...
As an xl type person I’m wary of kinked seat tubes as I’ve ridden these and been way out over the rear wheel. The head tube is long in xl but it’s designed round a shortish fork so stack isn’t huge. The cotic solaris gets more stack with a 130mm head tube
These aren’t problems but the question was asked
XL Ti Mk2 Broken Road here since 2018. Love it. Not tried the steel so no idea how different.
Things I like; nice length makes it roomy, good long headtube fits me well as leggy so run a stupid high seat post and also means reach and stack numbers largely irrelevant to me once I have put 40-50mm spacers under the stem. Geo of my old model isnt hugely slack but enough to work. 2023 model looks like minor tweeks from mine. The plain gauge Ti doesn't ride as nice as my Fairlight Holt but its light and comfy. Always viewed sliding drop outs as a bikepacking get out of jail card if ever lose rear mech somewhere proper remote.
Get in touch with Neil at Sonder bikes - was super helpful to me back then.
1+ for the Big Bro, lovely bike (frame only these days).
Thanks all. I am very definitely not XL, though I realise it's the default STW size... or not. Anyway, I know the guys at Sonder and I'll have a chat. Part of the appeal is that it's not insanely expensive, which is a consideration and the ti version reviews well. Steel appeals as being easier to have welded in remote places if things go wrong. You know, Carlisle, that sort of thing...
Thanks for the alternative suggestions. Will investigate.