SONNET ROAD MK1 £2899

THREE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THE...

The frameset

Sonnet uses Italian tubing house Columbus’ Spirit tubing in its Keirin variant to give the Mk1 a frame that combines triple-butted steel with one that’s usually reserved for the track, hence the keirin moniker. The tubing is stiff where it needs to be, so putting force through the bottom bracket when sprinting doesn’t unsettle things.

The equipment

Japanese brand Nitto provides its Craft stem featuring a polished finish and enamelled plaque badge. The matching Nitto M190 bar and seatpost are very considered choices. It’s driven by Campagnolo’s latest Potenza groupset and runs on Mavic Open Pro rims hand-built onto polished Novatec cartridge hubs by British wheelbuilding legend, Harry Rowland. We had a set of wheels built by Harry that ran for more than a decade without the need for maintenance beyond the occasional hub clean and lube.

The ride

At just over 9kg the Sonnet is light for steel, and rides that way. The brilliant Veloflex tyres and tight wheels add a responsive edge, and the Potenza group’s snappy mechanical shifts add positivity to the ride experience. The front end can feel unsettled over rougher surfaces, but never to the point where you feel the need to back off.

ONE THING WE’D CHANGE The price

Although the Sonnet offers plenty of the bespoke experience, it does have some stiff competition, namely in the Cinelli Nemo boasting a similar build for a couple of hundred quid less. If Sonnet gains success and can adjust the pricing down, the Mk1 is one to watch.