SONDER SIGNAL STNX
£1,599 Steel-framed hardcore hardtail
An o shoot of British outdoor brand Alpkit, Sonder are known for their diverse range and their focus on value. The Signal ST is their aggressive 29er steel hardtail, also available as a frameset.
The frame
Built from 4130 chromoly, the Signal’s geometry hits all the typical numbers for an aggressive trail bike, our large frame having a reach of 465mm, a head angle of 66 degrees and a 74-degree seat tube angle. The top tube joins the seat tube well below the top to increase standover clearance, with a brace added to improve strength. While the dropper cable is internally routed, the brake hose and gear cable run externally. A threaded bottom bracket shell further simplifies maintenance. There’s one bottle cage mount, low enough on the down tube to allow space for a bottle and a frame bag. No chain guide tabs are provided.
The kit
This build – one of three – is fitted with a full SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Guide T brakes. The 130mm-travel RockShox Revelation RC fork has externally-adjustable rebound and compression damping, and can be almost completely locked out to reduce bob on smoother climbs. Sonder’s own Abode saddle is mounted on a 125mm-drop X-Fusion Manic post actuated via an under-bar lever. They also provide the bar, stem (via house brand Love Mud) and rims, the latter wrapped in WTB Vigilante and Trail Boss tyres.
Superb-value trail bike suited to winch-and-plummet riding – it gets better as the trails get harder
The ride
The Signal feels weighty due to its steel frame and sturdy wheelset, with the Sonder rims being reassuringly burly and the WTB tyres weighing over 2.3kg together. This heft becomes less obvious as soon as the tyres touch dirt, though. The relatively steep seat tube angle keeps your weight forward for a comfortable climbing position, and the Signal spins comfortably up fireroads and ascends steep tech sections confidently, where the chunky tyre treads aid traction. It won’t be the fastest to the top, but that’s not the aim of a bike like this.
Rolling trails and moderate gradients are dispatched comfortably, only requiring a little momentum to reveal the Signal’s playful nature, and it speeds across roots in a manner that a hardtail has no right to. However, it really comes alive on trails where descriptions like ‘rowdy’ or ‘loose’ apply. Here, its geometry and tyres give it a planted feel that lets it swallow sections at the top end of your ability without ever causing you to lose faith. If there’s grip to be discovered, the WTB rubber will help find it. Dropping into sketchy chutes or hitting corners with minimal support becomes a question of testing your limits and the fun factor rises sharply.
The fork works well in most circumstances, absorbing light and medium impacts at most speeds and rebounding in time for the next due to good mid-stroke support. However, it does bottom out harshly on bigger hits from larger-than-usual bumps. We’d prefer a longer-travel seatpost, finding that the saddle was still a little in the way in the sketchiest situations. Larger brake rotors would be appreciated, too. Let none of that detract, though, from the fact that for a shade under £1,600, you’re getting a bike guaranteed to maximise ‘type one’ fun. Get to the top in your own sweet time and let it all hang out on the way back down! WILL POOLE https://alpkit.com