Sonder is well established in the gravel bike market, having launched various incarnations of its award-winning Camino gravel bike which is seen as a benchmark for an affordable option. Sonder has now launched the cunningly named El Camino – the brand's first venture into the ever-growing electric gravel bike market. There's no prizes for guessing that major inspiration has been taken from the well received Camino, a bike that our Tech Editor, Guy Kesteven called, "a super versatile all-rounder that delivers off-road riding confidence while still riding with an effervescent joy that puts a lot of more expensive and fancier sounding gravel bikes in the shade."
So does the El Camino deliver the same exceptional all-around riding performance as its non-electric sibling? We had a look over the details to find out...
El Camino power
Sonder says the El Camino is powerful and lightweight, weighing in at just 3kg more than its non-electric counterpart, with the total weight being claimed to be around 14.5 kg on the GRX 1 version, which is around the same as the Cairn Cycles E-Adventure at 14.3 kg. The El Camino is powered by the latest Kynamic BC250 motor system, that Sonder says 'blends the acclaimed success of the Camino with a powerful rear hub electric motor and torque sensor that maintains a natural ride feel, whether the power is on or off.'
The motor delivers 250Wh of assisted power and 45Nm of torque, via a 250W battery which is housed in the downtube. Sonder claims the El Camino will have a 'real-life range' up to 70 km on 100 percent assisted riding, that should stretch to over 120km when rider-managed. If you need more, a 180Wh range extender that fits in a standard bottle cage will be available separately from June 2024.
Power is managed via an integrated panel that comes with three power settings – low power for all-day continued assistance, middle power for an easy sweat-free commute, or max power for a rapid blast around off-road trails.
Frame and Geometry
The El Camino frame has a 6061-T6 Aluminum frame and a model-specific El Camino Carbon fork which should dampen trail chatter and add to the overall comfort of the bike. The El Camino has the same progressive geometry as the Camino designed to offer 'comfort, control, and confidence, over any terrain and any distance'. A 69-degree head tube angle is paired with a 74-degree seat tube angle aimed to give the El Camino excellent climbing abilities too. The reach increases proportionately across all sizes from 380mm to 440mm. If suspension on a gravel bike is your thing, then Sonder also adds that the El Camino geometry makes it suspension-fork-ready, with a 30mm travel and 45mm offset fork recommended.
El Camino comes ready for gravel bike adventures with ample tire clearance up to 45mm and comes with an Alpha EX wheelset and multiple bottle cage and rack mounts. Internal cable routing giving a sleek and stylish finished machine.
Pricing, availability and specs
The El Camino is available in sizes from small to X-large and three color choices – Aqua, Slate and Jaffa. El Camino is available to preorder now for 29th January 2024 deliveries. Sonder builds every bike and wheel to order in the UK and there is a choice of eight different builds – from the entry-level El Camino Tiagra at £2,849 to the top-end El Camino SRAM Force 1 at £3,399, with Shimano 105, GRX and SRAM options in-between.
As well as direct-to-consumer ordering, Sonder is part of the Alpkit group. The adventure and outdoor specialists have ten shops across the UK, which means bikes can be seen in stores too. More information on online ordering and store locations can be found at Alpkit.com.
El Camino 105
- Frame: El Camino Frame Aluminum
- Fork: El Camino Carbon
- Motor: Kynamic Hub Drive 45Nm 250Wh
- Battery: Kynamic 250Wh
- Shifters: Shimano 105 R7020 2x 11-spd
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000 11-spd
- Brakes: Shimano 105 R7070, 160mm
- Handlebars: Sonder Bomber, 56cm
- Stem: Sonder Storc
- Seatpost: Sonder Seatpost, 27.2mm
- Saddle: Sonder Abode
- Wheels: Sonder Alpha EX 700c
- Tires: Goodyear Connector 700c 45mm
- Color: Aqua, Slate or Jaffa
- Weight: TBC
- Price: $TBC / £3,099 / €TBC
El Camino GRX 1
- Frame: El Camino Frame Aluminum, Heat-Treated
- Fork: El Camino Carbon
- Motor: Kynamic Hub Drive 45Nm 250Wh
- Battery: Kynamic 250Wh
- Shifters: Shimano GRX 600, 11-spd
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 812, 11-spd
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400, 160mm
- Handlebars: Sonder Bomber, 56cm
- Stem: Sonder Storc
- Seatpost: Sonder Seatpost, 27.2mm
- Saddle: Sonder Abode
- Wheels: Sonder Alpha EX 700c
- Tires: Goodyear Connector 700c 45mm
- Color: Aqua, Slate or Jaffa
- Weight: 14.5kg Medium
- Price: $TBC / £3,149 / €TBC
El Camino Force 1
- Frame: El Camino Frame Aluminum, Heat-Treated
- Fork: El Camino Carbon
- Motor: Kynamic Hub Drive 45Nm 250Wh
- Battery: Kynamic 250Wh
- Shifters: SRAM Force 1, 11-spd
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1, 11-spd
- Brakes: SRAM Force, 160mm
- Handlebars: Sonder Bomber, 56cm
- Stem: Sonder Storc
- Seatpost: Sonder Seatpost, 27.2mm
- Saddle: Sonder Abode
- Wheels: Sonder Alpha EX 700c
- Tires: Goodyear Connector 700c 45mm
- Color: Aqua, Slate or Jaffa
- Weight: TBC
- Price: $TBC / £3,339 / €TBC
