I see the new addition to the Sonder line-up looks like it could be squarly aimed at the likes of us. Prices look reasonable with a F&F at £299 and full bikes starting at £879.

I only wish it had a steel fork as it reminds me a lot of the 2016 Longitude which was a very nice bike but slightly held back by the very rigid aluminium fork.

We've booked a couple for the HT550 which we're doing at Easter. Tom may run a Reba on his though.

I'll report back, though I can tell you this - "The frontier NX1 with a rigid fork, 29er wheels and pedals fitted weighs a touch over 26.5lb "

Bearbonesnorm wrote:I see the new addition to the Sonder line-up looks like it could be squarly aimed at the likes of us

It was the rack mounts, right?

It was the rack mounts, right?

That's right Colin - Alpkit haven't missed a trick there, catering to those half dozen folk who still want to use a rack

Will an ally framed rigid 29er not be a bit brutal? - I'm thinking back to my 'dale 2.8m series frame and pepper forks on which you could detect a pea through a dozen matresses. I was young and nimble back then so it didn't matter but this thing could see a few fillings loosened....

Will an ally framed rigid 29er not be a bit brutal?

It'll come down to the forks IMO.

Rich, I have a pair of 29er qr Rebas when you do decide to try them. Welcome to borrow them or buy them

Bearbonesnorm wrote:
I only wish it had a steel fork as it reminds me a lot of the 2016 Longitude which was a very nice bike but slightly held back by the very rigid aluminium fork.

Agreed

Maybe why Genesis have gone back to a steel fork again for 2017,
I run an ally hardtail frame all the time but with nice springy steel forks,
To be fair I do use a Thudbuster too, it helps protect my already abused
Torso

That BB looks like a pressfit. Why why why!

GregMay wrote:That BB looks like a pressfit. Why why why!

You had me panicking there Greg However, from the Alpkit site (https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/son ... frame-only):

Threaded 73 mm BSA BB shell for no-creak assembly

And relax.

73mm BSA according to the product page. Looks fairly sensible, and available as frame only if you want to fit your own fork (Salsa Firestarter/Enabler?).

Looks a nice frame, liking the colours too, just wondering why they
Cant get the stickers on straight

The Boost spacing would likely make it a no-go for me, simply as it'd involve new wheels ... and I've lots of wheels.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:The Boost spacing would likely make it a no-go for me, simply as it'd involve new wheels

Agree with this. At this price it became of interest as a f&f I could chuck some parts box parts onto and leave in Scotland for the few weeks a year I'm working up there. But boost = new rear hub = probably not. Bloody 650b+ trend.

Panic over. I shall return to my mundane life. Plagued by the PFBB on my Cutthroat.

I've read elsewhere that the Frontier is an 'odd' boost spacing / QR... Can anyone confirm?

That's correct. The only other brand I'm aware of using Boost QR is Marin.