Julie - great to meet you today on the trail - very kind of you to offer help with the little one on my back. Strangely I have been debating between a lightweight cc Mtb and a more gravel/ adventure bike ………. You’ve given me a conundrum!!!!
@anthonytaylor5020 lovely to meet you too. Before I say anything I just want to clarify that I am not sponsored by Sonder. They have just kindly lent me a few things because they want coverage on RUclips. I am always honest about anything I say on here . I have just spoken to Adam Olive , manager at the Hathersage Alpkit shop. You need to talk to him because they do have demo bikes and also if you buy a bike, there is a 28 day money back guarantee and changing parts arrangement. You need to clarify this with him. Just an idea! You take care and I wish you the best of luck with it. Check out my video comparing the Camino with the Sedona. It may be useful.
Your point about "mixing and matching" is the crux of the matter. For me, that's what gravel biking is all about and bikes such as the Camino are brilliant. I've got a ti gravel bike with 2 sets of wheels: 30mm road tyres & slightly fewer spokes and 40mm off-road tyres. Like you, it's usually the bike I take away, eg to the Scottish Borders in a couple of weeks where the road & off-road riding is brilliant. Great video again.
Thanks for your fantastic comments. The 40mm tyres are relatively quick eh? One bike to rule them all ! I just want one bike to do all my exploring on, these days. It’s perfect for that.
@NixJudd heh that's great! It's a great bike for doing whatever you fancy, that's for sure. Enjoy and have fun. Thanks for your positive comments. Where are you based?
@JuliePhelanExplore I'm near Southampton so my nearest alpkit is Kingston. I preferred the spitfires too and have some thin tyres for going out with more roady friends and some 45s to put on in the future. It did a great job in the new forest recently. Love the flexibility! I'm doing solo rides for the first time. It's great to see your inspiring videos. 🙌
@@NixJudd thank you . Yep it’s the flexibility which is it’s winning feature. I am using the Camino for doing whatever I fancy and the Sedona for racing .
Aaaah...my dream bike. Maybe one day...Currently I am riding a steel Ragley Trig on a chunky 2.1 inch Mezcals and I love it to bits! Thanks for your content Julie.
I love your positivity in your videos! I think you have identified a strange trend in many gravel bike groupsets such as the GRX, Apex, Force - the lowest gear combination is not low enough for most people to get up really steep inclines, especially if they are lumpy-bumpy, and especially if they are carrying bags. Glad to hear that after changing your rear cassette to something more sensible, the derailleur still worked. All unnecessary additional expense, though.
Absolutely David . Thanks for commenting. I just suddenly realised I’d never get up lots of climbs with the bike loaded without mauling. You can’t repeatedly do that on a long trip.
I’ve had mine for four years and being old, I can’t see me wanting anything different unless it’s and e-bike in time. Owing to hand arthritis, I had “Keep Pedaling” in Manchester swap the ‘bars to Jones Loops. I also have a chainring with 2 fewer teeth. I’ve not walked up a hill yet. I think bikepacking luggage is plain daft and have a rack and panniers and a rack top bag. I ride my Brompton the few hundred yards to town and it goes under the table in Costa. Other than that, the Sonder is my steed of choice. Alpkit is a super company to deal with; ordering the Camino was a great experience. I barely knew 1x existed back then but the person I spoke with was great. The bike is a gem and seemingly bulletproof. Plus, most of my wardrobe now comprises Alpkit clothing but being in distant East Anglia, I’ve yet to even see an Alpkit shop.
I have sonder Camino ti, and I also come from mountain biking background. Years ago the routes I did were more xc but over last ten years have been more enduro and off piste trails., so I absolutely agree with your views on the Camino. I run exactly same tyres as you and I run them fairly soft. I went Sram 1x 11 and put an oval 36 on the front and 11- 46 on rear which helps me get up most things as I age. Even fully loaded I have ridden Camino down some sketchy trails and it just inspires confidence. If I could only have one bike it would be the sonder.
Love a bit of an mtb challenge on the gravel bike lol ! Sometimes you just have to let it run free. Does that make me a bit 'old skool'? Lol ! Who cares. I'm having fun. I think we're carbon copies lol
Another person who ad to change the rear cassette - see my comment about stock gravel groupsets not providing low enough gears. Glad you were able to sort it.
I really enjoy riding my Camino. I bought the frame and fork then built it up myself with the components of my choice. I have 2 wheelsets (Hope) and swap them out according to whether I'm riding trails or bikepacking. I sometimes wish it was a bit lighter but calm myself down when I admit that I'm the heaviest part of the setup 😂 Works great.
Great video! Was just suggested to me after I watched the first one a couple days back after currently looking for a camino ti. Something I couldn’t really find out with the lack of pictures of it on the sonder page is: is there a hole in the carbon fork for mounting a front rack/ light above the front wheel? Thank you!
Hi Simon. There isn't a hole at the top of the forks where they split. Like you used to get on 'old style' forks. However there are three mounting points on each leg of the forks. So I am sure you could rig something up. If you need pictures contact me via the About page. Thanks.
@@JuliePhelanExplore thank you! Decided to get one but took me a couple of days too long, now my size is sold out. Hope it’s in stock again soon, hyped to get one hehe
You should get a commission from Sonder. I had narrowed my list of potential bikes down to include this one but now it is right at the top of my list. Cheers! My first road bike (a Merida) came with an FSA crankset and BB. It lasted less than 500 miles. I didn't even bother with a warranty job and just replaced the front end with Shimano. I've got full GRX on another bike (Cannondale) and it is great, though I really only ride that bike on the road so it really should have 105 instead.
Commission? I wish lol! I now have changed to full GRX and it’s lovely. I love riding this bike because it’s so versatile. You will enjoy it :-) Thanks for contributing Hugh. Have fun !
@@JuliePhelanExplore Hi Julie, a follow up question, if you don't mind: do you think the bike would be improved by fitting a Rudy suspension fork? They offer that as an option & because I'm swithering between this bike and a hardtail I'm wondering if that option would be the best of both worlds or a compromise too far.
Having 650b and MTB tyres (Vittoria Mezcal 2.1 for instance) transform it massively in a different bike entirely! (quite a fan of Pirelli too, felt surprisingly fast on the H model).
Yep turns it into a mtb! Omg did she say that??? Lol It just means its versatile which is fab and like you, I'm guessing, a bit of knarly riding is fun. Thanks Ed.
G’day from Queensland,Julie. I’ll have another bike this week(4 already), but it’s not a Ti gravel, it’s a dual sus’ carbon trail bike. I’m going to try some credit card bike packing,and at 70,I’ll leave the bumpy gravel bikes to youngsters like yourself😂 Stay safe.
Wow lovely to connect with a kindred spirit in Australia! Thanks so much for contributing. That bike sounds sooooo comfortable ! Have a fantastic time .
It will make a massive difference if you swap the FSA over to GRX, i did it on my alu topstone and irs night and day... So much lighter and stiffer. 👍👍
hi julie, I'm just getting into this rabbit hole of bike technicalities. I'm about to order this now for 50/50 bikepacking and road. Do i need an entire extra pair of wheelset to put in a thinner tyre maybe 32 - 35mm or what's the lowest tyre size can I fit on the the stock 45 mm wheelset.
It's difficult for me to advise you completely because we are all different . However I think you should be alright on a xs with 700c wheels. Why not go to an Alpkit shop? They may have a demo bike ? Where are you based?
Thank you . It gives a wider range of gears- an important issue if you're going to load the bike up or use both 45mm and 40mm tyres. The additional drag of 45mm makes pedalling up steeper hills harder. What you have you ask yourself is' what am I going to use this bike for ?' If it's going to be very multipurpose, go for 2x. At the moment I am riding a Sedona with a 1x. This is because know it will have the range I need to race on.
@@JuliePhelanExplore Thanks for replying Julie! I think Hathersage is my nearest. My optimum use range I'm thinking of for the bike would be from road audax rides through to "medium" gravel, possibly with 2 sets of wheels.
@@cinemashow-5 where do you live? I'm only in Belper. You can always sit on mine if I'm closer than Hathersage. The staff at the Hathersage shop are lovely
Julie - great to meet you today on the trail - very kind of you to offer help with the little one on my back.
Strangely I have been debating between a lightweight cc Mtb and a more gravel/ adventure bike ………. You’ve given me a conundrum!!!!
@anthonytaylor5020 lovely to meet you too.
Before I say anything I just want to clarify that I am not sponsored by Sonder. They have just kindly lent me a few things because they want coverage on RUclips. I am always honest about anything I say on here . I have just spoken to Adam Olive , manager at the Hathersage Alpkit shop. You need to talk to him because they do have demo bikes and also if you buy a bike, there is a 28 day money back guarantee and changing parts arrangement. You need to clarify this with him.
Just an idea! You take care and I wish you the best of luck with it. Check out my video comparing the Camino with the Sedona. It may be useful.
Fab review Julie, very helpful, thank you!
You are so welcome!
Your point about "mixing and matching" is the crux of the matter. For me, that's what gravel biking is all about and bikes such as the Camino are brilliant. I've got a ti gravel bike with 2 sets of wheels: 30mm road tyres & slightly fewer spokes and 40mm off-road tyres. Like you, it's usually the bike I take away, eg to the Scottish Borders in a couple of weeks where the road & off-road riding is brilliant. Great video again.
Thanks for your fantastic comments. The 40mm tyres are relatively quick eh? One bike to rule them all ! I just want one bike to do all my exploring on, these days. It’s perfect for that.
Love your videos Julie that I discovered when I was thinking of getting a camino. I'm now a delighted owner 😊
@NixJudd heh that's great! It's a great bike for doing whatever you fancy, that's for sure. Enjoy and have fun.
Thanks for your positive comments. Where are you based?
@JuliePhelanExplore I'm near Southampton so my nearest alpkit is Kingston. I preferred the spitfires too and have some thin tyres for going out with more roady friends and some 45s to put on in the future. It did a great job in the new forest recently. Love the flexibility! I'm doing solo rides for the first time. It's great to see your inspiring videos. 🙌
@@NixJudd thank you . Yep it’s the flexibility which is it’s winning feature. I am using the Camino for doing whatever I fancy and the Sedona for racing .
Aaaah...my dream bike. Maybe one day...Currently I am riding a steel Ragley Trig on a chunky 2.1 inch Mezcals and I love it to bits! Thanks for your content Julie.
Dreams can come true lol ! Thanks for commenting.
I love your positivity in your videos!
I think you have identified a strange trend in many gravel bike groupsets such as the GRX, Apex, Force - the lowest gear combination is not low enough for most people to get up really steep inclines, especially if they are lumpy-bumpy, and especially if they are carrying bags. Glad to hear that after changing your rear cassette to something more sensible, the derailleur still worked. All unnecessary additional expense, though.
Absolutely David . Thanks for commenting. I just suddenly realised I’d never get up lots of climbs with the bike loaded without mauling. You can’t repeatedly do that on a long trip.
Another fantastic vid… cheers, loved it and I’m not even after a new bike :)
Are you sure - n+ 1 and all that ......
@@JuliePhelanExplore lol! Ace
I’ve had mine for four years and being old, I can’t see me wanting anything different unless it’s and e-bike in time. Owing to hand arthritis, I had “Keep Pedaling” in Manchester swap the ‘bars to Jones Loops. I also have a chainring with 2 fewer teeth. I’ve not walked up a hill yet. I think bikepacking luggage is plain daft and have a rack and panniers and a rack top bag. I ride my Brompton the few hundred yards to town and it goes under the table in Costa. Other than that, the Sonder is my steed of choice.
Alpkit is a super company to deal with; ordering the Camino was a great experience. I barely knew 1x existed back then but the person I spoke with was great. The bike is a gem and seemingly bulletproof. Plus, most of my wardrobe now comprises Alpkit clothing but being in distant East Anglia, I’ve yet to even see an Alpkit shop.
I do like panniers but I have knocked them off lol Its the only bike I seem to ride now!
Thanks for commenting
I have sonder Camino ti, and I also come from mountain biking background. Years ago the routes I did were more xc but over last ten years have been more enduro and off piste trails., so I absolutely agree with your views on the Camino. I run exactly same tyres as you and I run them fairly soft. I went Sram 1x 11 and put an oval 36 on the front and 11- 46 on rear which helps me get up most things as I age. Even fully loaded I have ridden Camino down some sketchy trails and it just inspires confidence. If I could only have one bike it would be the sonder.
Love a bit of an mtb challenge on the gravel bike lol ! Sometimes you just have to let it run free. Does that make me a bit 'old skool'? Lol ! Who cares. I'm having fun.
I think we're carbon copies lol
Another person who ad to change the rear cassette - see my comment about stock gravel groupsets not providing low enough gears. Glad you were able to sort it.
@@davidrowe8747 thanks
Love the video, great review.
Thank you
This is fantastic, thanks for the video Julie, I'm looking at getting a Camino and this may have just sealed the deal!
You're welcome. I love mine , as you know lol !
I really enjoy riding my Camino. I bought the frame and fork then built it up myself with the components of my choice. I have 2 wheelsets (Hope) and swap them out according to whether I'm riding trails or bikepacking.
I sometimes wish it was a bit lighter but calm myself down when I admit that I'm the heaviest part of the setup 😂
Works great.
I am going to also have 2 sets of wheels. Thanks for commenting
Great video! Was just suggested to me after I watched the first one a couple days back after currently looking for a camino ti. Something I couldn’t really find out with the lack of pictures of it on the sonder page is: is there a hole in the carbon fork for mounting a front rack/ light above the front wheel? Thank you!
Hi Simon. There isn't a hole at the top of the forks where they split. Like you used to get on 'old style' forks. However there are three mounting points on each leg of the forks. So I am sure you could rig something up. If you need pictures contact me via the About page. Thanks.
@@JuliePhelanExplore thank you! Decided to get one but took me a couple of days too long, now my size is sold out. Hope it’s in stock again soon, hyped to get one hehe
@@simongeck9461 where's your nearest Alpkit shop?
@@JuliePhelanExplore I’m in Germany so need to order online
@@simongeck9461 good point !
Can recommend the Cinturato H tyres at 40mm. Great for dry fast rides off-road.
Thanks Dominic. Must admit I have thought about a pair of those. They look great. Cheers.
You should get a commission from Sonder. I had narrowed my list of potential bikes down to include this one but now it is right at the top of my list. Cheers!
My first road bike (a Merida) came with an FSA crankset and BB. It lasted less than 500 miles. I didn't even bother with a warranty job and just replaced the front end with Shimano. I've got full GRX on another bike (Cannondale) and it is great, though I really only ride that bike on the road so it really should have 105 instead.
Commission? I wish lol! I now have changed to full GRX and it’s lovely. I love riding this bike because it’s so versatile. You will enjoy it :-) Thanks for contributing Hugh. Have fun !
@@JuliePhelanExplore Hi Julie, a follow up question, if you don't mind: do you think the bike would be improved by fitting a Rudy suspension fork? They offer that as an option & because I'm swithering between this bike and a hardtail I'm wondering if that option would be the best of both worlds or a compromise too far.
@@HughDWallace no problem. I think it would add a lot of weight to a bike which isn’t particularly light , to start with .
@@JuliePhelanExplore thank you. Much obliged.
@@HughDWallace you’re welcome. How many bikes does one need ? n+1 I believe :-))
Having 650b and MTB tyres (Vittoria Mezcal 2.1 for instance) transform it massively in a different bike entirely! (quite a fan of Pirelli too, felt surprisingly fast on the H model).
Yep turns it into a mtb! Omg did she say that??? Lol It just means its versatile which is fab and like you, I'm guessing, a bit of knarly riding is fun.
Thanks Ed.
@@JuliePhelanExplore like Jacquie Phelan's bike! (abet with brakes that actually stop you).
@@edscoble she was racing the same time as me.
G’day from Queensland,Julie. I’ll have another bike this week(4 already), but it’s not a Ti gravel, it’s a dual sus’ carbon trail bike. I’m going to try some credit card bike packing,and at 70,I’ll leave the bumpy gravel bikes to youngsters like yourself😂 Stay safe.
Wow lovely to connect with a kindred spirit in Australia! Thanks so much for contributing. That bike sounds sooooo comfortable ! Have a fantastic time .
It will make a massive difference if you swap the FSA over to GRX, i did it on my alu topstone and irs night and day... So much lighter and stiffer. 👍👍
Thanks . That’s good to hear!
hi julie, I'm just getting into this rabbit hole of bike technicalities. I'm about to order this now for 50/50 bikepacking and road. Do i need an entire extra pair of wheelset to put in a thinner tyre maybe 32 - 35mm or what's the lowest tyre size can I fit on the the stock 45 mm wheelset.
I put 40mm tyres on my rims. To be honest I did consult my wheel builder- Eric at the CycleShed. It is dependent on the rims.
Watched your review and I am seriously considering buying the frames however I cannot find anywhere to see if this frames is Di2 compatible ?
Contact Adam Olive at the Hathersage Alpkit shop.
Nice reviews. Any reason you went for the 2x drivetrain instead of 1x?
Oh, also, if I go for the XS (I'm 5'3, 75cm inseam), would you recommend 650b wheels?
It's difficult for me to advise you completely because we are all different . However I think you should be alright on a xs with 700c wheels. Why not go to an Alpkit shop? They may have a demo bike ? Where are you based?
Thank you . It gives a wider range of gears- an important issue if you're going to load the bike up or use both 45mm and 40mm tyres. The additional drag of 45mm makes pedalling up steeper hills harder. What you have you ask yourself is' what am I going to use this bike for ?' If it's going to be very multipurpose, go for 2x.
At the moment I am riding a Sedona with a 1x. This is because know it will have the range I need to race on.
@@JuliePhelanExplore Thanks for replying Julie! I think Hathersage is my nearest. My optimum use range I'm thinking of for the bike would be from road audax rides through to "medium" gravel, possibly with 2 sets of wheels.
@@cinemashow-5 where do you live? I'm only in Belper. You can always sit on mine if I'm closer than Hathersage. The staff at the Hathersage shop are lovely