Sonder Sedona Review: Fast, Capable and Classy – A Titanium Bike That Breaks the Mould

By Travis Bramley 22 Apr 2025

The titanium Sonder Sedona is understated elegance with real race-ready performance. With refined geometry, excellent tyre clearance, and a composed ride feel, it’s as comfortable on rough terrain as it is fast on race day

I remember the first time I saw a titanium bike. I was working at Raleigh (yes, that Raleigh), and a colleague had just bought one for a bikepacking trip. It looked stunning: sleek, raw metal shimmering in the workshop light, but I was immediately put off by comments about its weight, ‘relaxed’ geometry, and general unsuitability for riders who wanted to go fast. Riders like me.

Fast-forward half a decade and, while I still want to go fast, my perspective has shifted. The cycling industry’s obsession with carbon fibre needs to change. It’s a nightmare to recycle, energy-intensive to produce, and relies on nasty chemicals along the way. That led me to explore more sustainable frame materials, and ultimately, to Sonder and their titanium gravel race bike, the Sedona.

A race-ready gravel bike, made from titanium, by a UK-based B-Corp? This thing had my name written all over it from the start. But I’ll keep things honest. I’d never won a gravel race, not in two full seasons of trying. That changed earlier this year, on my very first outing aboard the Sedona. Coincidence? I’ll let you decide.

Ride Feel & Geometry

Elegant and understated, the Sedona perfectly embodies what gravel riding should be. Its sleek silver tubing feels fast in a straight line, with geometry aggressive enough for a rider with a roadie background; yet balanced enough to stay composed on long and rugged days in the saddle. For reference, I’m a smidge under 6ft and ride a medium, albeit with a few extra spacers above the headset!

The real difference compared to carbon bikes comes when the trails get bumpy. Steep descents, awkward roots, rocky lines, this is where the Sedona shines. It inspires confidence without being overbuilt or sluggish. It’s reactive through tight, twisty singletrack and tough enough to take a battering downhill without a second thought.

Paired with a flared set of Sonder’s Spitfire bars, you’ll descend faster and enjoy it more. That’s coming from someone who came to gravel with zero MTB background, just a nervous ex-triathlete and roadie learning with every ride. This bike encourages you to push your limits and rewards you when you do.

Power transfer & build quality

As a relatively big rider, I put down a fair bit of power when needed and the Sedona handles it with ease. Minimal flex, no fuss. The frame’s build quality genuinely feels premium, without carrying the premium price tag. And let’s be honest, bike prices have gone a bit mad lately. The Sedona is refreshingly reasonable for what you get, as is the rest of the Sonder line-up.

It’s available with a Shimano or SRAM groupset of your choice, allowing you to customise it into a proper race machine. And if, like me, you’re not a fan of riding a bike-shaped billboard, you’ll love the clean aesthetic. Branding is subtle. This bike speaks for itself.

Durability & Practicality

Tyre clearance is generous. I’ve been running 45mm Schwalbe G-Ones, but I’d be confident going up to 50mm if needed. Cleaning is a breeze thanks to the raw metal finish. No paint to chip, no risk of damaging delicate carbon layups in the inevitable off-road spills. Just beautifully machined metal, built to last a lifetime, or be melted down and reborn. No landfill in sight here. It’s also fantastically easy to maintain and swap components, no integrated headsets or weird-shaped seatposts to see here.

Yes, it’s heavier than a top-end carbon frame. No escaping that. It wouldn’t be my bike of choice for a mountain time trial. However, unless you’re looking to compete with the world’s best on a hilly course, I’d argue that weight shouldn’t be at the top of your shopping list. Even then, I’d strongly argue that real world performance in terms of comfort, reliability is more important. Comfort, reliability, and real-world performance matter more, and in those departments, the Sedona delivers.

I’ll be putting it to the test at the Badlands Ultra Race later this year. But let’s face it, most of us ride gravel to escape traffic, discover new trails, and enjoy riding with mates. Do you need carbon for that? Absolutely not.

Final Thoughts

So, to circle back, titanium isn’t just for Sunday best or expeditions. The Sonder Sedona proves it can mix it with the best on the race circuit. I hope my win at the Exeter Gravel Races, among a stacked field, offers some proof of that.

Save yourself a few thousand pounds, the planet several hundred kilogrammes of carbon and opt for a titanium gravel bike. As you can probably tell by now, I highly recommend the Sedona.