Alpkit’s in-house design team behind their Sonder bikes brand wanted something more capable than their trail hardtails so they could enjoy more technical riding and long days in the backcountry. So they set out to build a mid travel aluminum full-suspension mountain bike, and landed on the almost plus-sized Evol trail bike.
Sonder Evol 140mm alloy full-suspension trail bike
We were introduced to the aluminum and titanium hardtails and cross bikes of Sonder last year. And even in ti, Sonder is all about high value. That continues in the new hydroformed and custom butted aluminum fully, with the Evol frame set selling for just £900/990€.
The Evol features a tried and trued Horst-link four bar design and 140mm of travel with near plus sized tire clearance for up to a 27.5 x 2.6″ tire. While not quite enduro-level travel, those three characteristics should add up to a bike happy to pedal up and bomb down any trails you meet.
The bike uses modern trail – meaning long, low & slack (66.5°) – so you get confident descending and predictable, responsive handling. It also follows the recent 1x trend with no provision for a front derailleur meaning plenty of tire clearance with the still short 430mm chainstays.
The frame features Boost rear spacing, internal routing through the front triangle, stealth dropper routing, a threaded bottom bracket, and comes spec’ed with a metric Rock Shox Deluxe RT Debonair rear shock. The Evol is available in four stock sizes (S-XL) and three colors – Slate grey, Jaffa orange and Rocket green.
Evol complete bike builds
Complete bikes get paired to 150mm travel forks, with five different bike builds available, all including dropper posts and 2.5/2.4″ tire setups. A SRAM NX1 build with a Rock Shox Recon is the cheapest way to get a complete bike at £1600/1760€. Keep the NX1, but got to a Revelation for £1850/2035€. Or upgrade to 12 speed with a GX Eagle build & Revelation fork for £2400/2640€ or a GX Eagle + Pike build for £2600/2860€.
If you want a top-shelf build the Sonder Evol XX1 Eagle Pike at £3300/3630€ offers the best 12 speed drivetrain on the market and the most sought after all mountain trail fork.
The bikes are open for preorder now from Alpkit with shipping estimated for December 15, 2017, in time to wrap one up with a bow for the holidays.
