Sonder Broken Road ST SLX review £1,699.00
An exceptionally comfortable and well considered offering – the ideal bikepacking companion.
Ty Rutherford
|
Aug 14 2024 |
Bikes
Overall
Quality
Performance
Value
What's good?
- Many spec customisation options
- Comfortable seated position for all day / multi-day rides
- Many mounting options for bike packing
What's not?
- Lack of any chain stay protection
- Spec customisation can push up the price quickly
Buy if...
you want a comfortable and reliable bikepacking companion.
The Sonder Broken Road ST is designed to be loaded up and churn out off-road miles over multi-day adventures. With a wide range of model options and the ability to customise the build from the factory, the bike can be optimised for specific applications ranging from smooth gravel bikepacking to off-the-beaten-track exploring. The geometry provides a comfortable seated position even after an all-day mission and the factory build has proved reliable. A lack of chain stay protection is an oversight but easy to remedy and you'll need to be careful on the customisation to not push the price too high. Overall this is a solid bikepacking companion – an excellent bike to let you explore and adventure.
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Sonder Broken Road ST SLX - Technical details
The Broken Road ST frame is built using 4130 chromoly steel which is claimed to provide a lively and vibration-absorbing ride feel. At the back, the frame is built around 29-inch wheels with clearance for a 2.6in tyre. The drop-outs are adjustable to allow single speed while catering for 148x12 Boost spacing and 160mm post-mount brake fitment.
Sonder Brokenroad-29.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
A reliable threaded bottom bracket, tapered head tube and 31.6mm seat tube angle are all standard affairs. The frame is designed around a max chainring size of 36T and there is no facility for a front mech – not that you’d need one. One thing missing is some chainstay protection. It's a shame this hasn’t been covered but simple enough to sort before your first ride.
Sonder Brokenroad-5.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
The storage options have been well taken care of with mounts for a rear pannier rack and a range of triple bottle cage mounts on the top tube, seat tube and down tube – five in total.
The Broken Road ST is all about adventure, it's a tool to get you places. With that in mind, it's designed for comfort even after long days in the saddle.
Available in sizes Small to X-Large catering for 158cm (5’2”) up to 187cm (6’2”)+, at 6ft I fitted nicely in the Large sizing. The seat angle is a relaxed 73 -degrees giving a comfortable all-day seated position. With sensible reach numbers (455mm on the large) the top tube lengths are right on the money, providing a purposeful position without being hunched over.
A 67-degree head angle provides an agile front end, with enough stability for steeper roads. Speaking of stability, the chainstays can be adjusted from 440mm to 460mm which helps with steep climbs and chunky/high-speed descents.
Sonder Brokenroad-23.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
Sonder Broken Road ST SLX - Componentry
Sonder has a base spec for the Broken Road ST models but offers a range of customisation options to tailor the bike to your needs. There are a couple of free options to tweak handlebars, stem lengths and saddles along with other upgrade options such as wheelsets and forks.
Sonder Brokenroad-4.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
As standard, the fork options are RockShox Recon SL Silver 100mm or Sonder’s own Pathfinder rigid carbon fork with the option to upgrade to a RockShox Reba RL or SID Ultimate.
Sonder’s Nova 29 wheelset comes as standard with options to upgrade to Sonder’s Alpha 29 alloy or i27 Carbon trail wheelset. The wheels come wrapped in Goodyear Peak 2.4in tyres front and rear with tubes, but there's an option to go tubeless for a little extra.
Sonder Brokenroad-18.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
Controls are taken care of with Sonder’s finishing kit. Handlebars can be had in a 780mm riser or a 720mm flat bar with the option to upgrade to carbon. There's also an option to choose between a 35mm, 45mm or 55mm stem allowing you to tailor the ride to your needs. The standard 400mm seat post can be upgraded to an X-Fusion dropper of various drop lengths to suit your needs.
Sonder Brokenroad-32.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
The customisation doesn’t end on the bike build, Sonder also offer options for bottle cages, lights, mudguards, pannier racks and pedals.
Drivetrain and brake duties are model-dependent. There are no prizes for guessing the SLX model comes with Shimano SLX cranks, gearset and brakes. All the models come with a wide range 12-speed cassette and a 32T chainring ready for climbing duties.
Sonder Brokenroad-24.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
Two colourways are on offer, forest (green) and smoke (grey).
For the bikepacking duties I had in mind, the test bike has been specced to be practical, comfortable and sensibly light. The biggest decision was to fit the rigid carbon fork for comfort reasons but it also saved a significant amount of weight. The AlphaXC wheelset saved a little rolling weight and tubeless was a no-brainer to help fend off punctures.
Sonder Broken Road ST SLX - Setup
With a solid spec and the chance to customise before the bike is delivered, the set-up was very minimal. The bike came mostly prebuilt so it was a case of fitting the bars to the stem, and front wheel and slotting the seatpost in before I was rolling.
Out of preference, I swapped out the saddle and also fitted a front mudguard and raised the bars for comfort. I quite like a taller bar height and was appreciative of having plenty of steerer tube left for adjustments. I also adjusted the dropouts to pull the rear wheel back effectively extending the chainstay length which will help with stability on the climbs and descents. These dropouts are no different to any other adjustable setup but some markings on the frame to indicate position would be super helpful to ensure both sides are adjusted evenly – not a necessity but a nice to have nonetheless.
The final setup was to put all the mounts to use fitting my pump, tools, spare tube and bottle cage.
Sonder Broken Road ST SLX - Performance
Testing was carried out quite thoroughly with a four-day bikepacking trip through the middle of Wales giving plenty of time to get to know the bike. Covering over 400km on a wide range of surfaces from chunky single track, prime gravel and paved roads the bike proved to be a versatile companion.
Sonder Brokenroad_c.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
With the aforementioned geometry, it is clear the Broken Road ST is designed for comfortable days in the saddle. With the Wales trip serving multiple 10-hour shifts, I was thankful for the comfortable position. Any backache would have suggested the setup was too outstretched and tired arms may have been from having too much weight pitched forward. I am happy to report that neither was an issue which is a testament to some well-considered geometry.
Sonder Brokenroad_a.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
While traversing back-country lanes and smooth logging roads, the bike sailed along happily feeling efficient and snappy. For the particular build pictured here, the rigid fork and upgraded AlphaXC wheelset saved several kilograms over the standard build. This helped greatly in keeping the average moving speed a little higher. The 12-speed 10-51T SLX gearing helped keep the cadence consistent and eat up the kilometres.
A small adjustment which could improve comfort would be the handlebars. Slightly more back-sweep would help relieve pressure from the outsides of my palms – I think this is more of a personal preference thing, but on long days it would help.
When it comes to climbing, the gearing is sensibly specced with a 32T chainring and 51T cassette. The long chainstays help keep the rider’s weight forward of the rear axle which aids traction and keeps the front end from lifting. The geometry also helps with technical climbing, the front end is easy to place, the bottom bracket height gives plenty of room to get pedal strokes in and the 780mm bars aid slow speed balance.
Sonder Brokenroad_d.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
Descending on the Broken Road ST is an equally comfortable affair. The steel frame helps take some of the harshness out of the trail along with the high volume 29 x 2.4in tyres. Even with the rigid fork, the bike felt stable and controlled as long as the going wasn’t too rough. As the terrain got muddier or chunkier some careful line choice was needed to deal with the limits of the tyres and full rigid setup. I did find the steering to be on the lively side, less so when the bike is loaded up but certainly noticeable when unloaded.
Sonder Brokenroad_b.jpg, by Ty Rutherford
One small omission is any form of chainstay protection. This led to the first ride being a little rattly on the descents and many paint chips on the drive side chainstay. An easy thing to fix but a shame this was missed by Sonder.
Sonder Brokenroad-35.jpeg, by Ty Rutherford
Depending on the terrain you ride most frequently, the Broken Road ST can be tweaked to handle it. A suspension fork, a dropper post and chunkier tyres would turn this bike into a more capable cross-country bike that could handle some singletrack while the rigid fork and racier tyres will turn it into a mile muncher.
Sonder Broken Road ST SLX - Verdict
The SLX spec with no upgrades retails at £1,699 while the build pictured here with the upgraded wheelset and tubeless conversion comes in at £1,913. While this isn’t cheap, it's a solid spec for money making it a sensible purchase. For reference, the cheapest Broken Road ST comes in at £1,500 with SRAM's SX Eagle drivetrain.
Marin’s Pine Mountain 2 retails at £2,125 with an SLX drivetrain with a RockShox 35 Gold RL 120mm fork. It features a lot of mounting options for bikepacking and geometry that is more focused towards trail riding. The Kona Unit X is another steel-framed option coming in cheaper but with a lower spec and a rigid fork. It's aimed at bikepacking with plenty of mounts and designed with comfort in mind.
The Sonder Broken Road ST proves to be a reliable and comfortable companion for multi-day bikepacking trips. The steel frame, large-volume 2.4in tyres and relaxed geometry give a ride which blends comfort and efficiency very well. The customisation options from the factory are impressive and allow the bike to be specced for a range of applications from mile-munching gravel to more cross-country singletrack.
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Test report Sonder Broken Road ST SLX review £1,699.00
About the bike
Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own :
Steel wilderness hardtail for big mountain days and fully loaded adventures off the beaten track. It's the perfect choice to tackle long distance point-to-points like the Tour Divide or the Atlas Mountain Race, eating up off-road miles day after day.
High-quality 4130 chromoly steel tubing gives that coveted steel ride feel; lively and vibration-absorbing with all the capability of modern trail geometry. Optimised strengthening gussets at the headtube and bottom bracket add stiffness where its needed without adding excess weight - this helps maintain handling when carrying heavier frame bags or panniers.
Optimised for use with 29" tyres; soak up uneven ground and enjoy a confidence-inspiring, stable ride at higher speeds. A long wheelbase and relaxed head angle strike the perfect balance between comfortable uphill grinding and hair-raising downhill whooping and make for efficient all-day riding over rough terrain.
State the frame material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.:
| Frameset | |
|---|---|
| Frame: | Broken Road St Frame | 4130 Chromoly Steel |
| Fork: | RockShox Recon Silver RL | 100mm (travel) |
| Headset: | FSA Orbit C-40-ACB |
| Groupset | |
|---|---|
| Shifters: | Shimano SLX M7100 | 1x | 12-speed |
| Brakes: | Shimano SLX M7100 | Hydraulic | Post mount |
| Rotors: | Shimano RT66 | 180mm (front), 160mm (rear) | 6-bolt |
| Rear derailleur: | Shimano SLX M7100 | Long cage | 12-speed |
| Chainset: | Shimano SLX M7100 | 170mm | 32t |
| Cassette: | Shimano CS-M7100 | 10-51t | 12-speed |
| Chain: | Shimano CNM7100 | 12-speed |
| Bottom bracket: | Shimano BB52 | BSA |
| Wheelset | |
|---|---|
| Wheels: | Sonder Nova 29" UK Made |
| Tyres: | Goodyear Peak | 29 x 2.4" | Black |
| Tubes: | WTB | 29 x 2.4-2.8" |
| Finishing kit | |
|---|---|
| Handlebars: | Sonder Aspect Riser | 780mm |
| Stem: | Sonder Piskie |
| Seatpost: | Sonder Seatpost | 31.6mm |
| Saddle: | Sonder Abode |
| Grips: | Sonder Clutch | Black |
Frame & Fork
How much suspension travel does the fork have?:
120mm or rigid
Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.:
Yes, steel frame helped take some harshness out and the 2.4" tyres give some extra dampening
How was the bike in terms of sizing and angles? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size and intent?:
Geo matches the intent well - fitting is as expected
Overall rating for frame
How much suspension travel does the rear end have?:
N/A
Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?:
All good here
Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame:
Excellent finish, no concerns
Bike has been well put together before delivery
Tell us about the geometry of the frame:
Sensible geometry which is designed to be comfortable for all day pedals
Comes in 4 sizes, S-XL
Tell us about the materials used in the frame:
4130 chromoly steel
Riding
How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?:
Felt efficient - especially with the lighter upgrade wheels
How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive?:
On the lively side
Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?:
On the lively side at the front end which is fine considering it's intentions.
Back end is stable thanks to the longer chain stays
Any comments on sprinting?:
N/A
Rate the bike for high speed descending
Rate the bike for technical descending:
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
Rate the bike for technical climbing:
Rate the bike for climbing efficiency:
Rate the bike for agility:
Suspension
Any comments on fork performance?:
Tested with rigid
Rate the fork for efficiency:
Any comments on fork efficiency?:
No bob on a rigid fork
Any comments on fork value?:
Free spec choice
Tell us some more about the fork. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any features which didn't work well together?:
Rigid fork was stiff enough but not overly harsh. Options to mount directly to the fork is handy for bike packing. Considerably lighter than the suspension fork option.
Any comments on rear shock value?:
N/A
Tell us some more about the rear suspension. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any features which didn't work well:
N/A
Drivetrain
Rate the drivetrain for performance:
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well to:
SLX provides excellent performance for the money. Wide range of gears and reliable brakes.
Rate the drivetrain for value:
Wheels & tyres
Rate the wheels for performance:
Rate the wheels for durability:
Rate the wheels for weight:
Rate the wheels for comfort:
Rate the wheels for value:
Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so, wha:
AlphaXC wheels were an upgrade over the standard spec - worked well had no issues. Proved to be comfortable and durable.
Rate the tyres for performance:
Rate the tyres for durability:
Rate the tyres for weight:
Rate the tyres for value:
Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so, what:
Goodyear Peak tyres were perfect for the gravel applications I had in mind. Not great in mud but roll well.
Controls
Rate the controls for performance:
Rate the controls for durability:
Rate the controls for weight:
Rate the controls for comfort:
Rate the controls for value:
Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components?:
No issues with the standard issue controls.
Summary
Did you enjoy riding the bike?:
Yes
Would you consider buying the bike?:
Yes
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike\'s performance? would you recommend any changes?:
SLX componentry is great, excellent performance for the price.
Suggested a bar with more back sweep for improved comfort
Would you recommend the bike to a friend?:
Yes
Rate the bike overall for performance:
Rate the bike overall for value:
Use this box to explain your score:
Value is sensible but not outstanding.
Product likes:
Many spec customisation options
Comfortable seated position for all day / multi-day rides
Many mounting options for bike packing
Product dislikes:
Lack of any chain stay protection
Spec customisation can push up the price quickly
Enjoy:
Yes
Buy:
Yes
Recommend:
Yes
Conclusion:
The Sonder Broken Road ST proves to be a reliable and comfortable companion for multi-day bike packing trips. The steel frame, large volume 2.4” tyres and relaxed geometry gives a ride which blends comfortable and efficiency very well. The customisation options from the factory are impressive and allow the bike to be spec’d for a range of applications from mile munching gravel to more cross-country single track. With plenty of mounts integrated into the frame, dialling in a secure bike packing set-up is simple with enough flexibility to cater to different storage needs.
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