In this review I've chosen to review a bike with similar aspirations from the Dawes stable β their Sonoran Hybrid. As with the VSF these bikes have been run as part of our fleet so comments are based on both my and customers comments and the experience of the hard life of a hire bike Note that some pictures are from our fleet and grubby after a ride!
It has a Freehub the cheapest Dawes hybrid so equipped , a decent range of gears, a suitable frame and is equipped with a rack and mudguards. Given the two bikes similar target market it's important that you read the review in conjunction with the original VSF review saves a lot of repeating myself because the two bikes do have some considerable differences. The Sonoran comes with all you need for a starter touring bike - decent mudguards and an Aluminium rack which though 'generic' is a little wider and with better pannier support to the one fitted to the VSF.
Pedals are basic one-piece metal which in my experience are a good compromise as they don't fall apart like those with a separate cage, though fitting toe-clips isn't possible.
No dynamo system means we have basic Shimano hubs with quick-release compared to the VSF's full hub-dynamo system which requires a spanner to change the wheel. The bike is built around the Shimano Altus speed groupset which is the minimum I'd trust for a tour and works as you'd expect, however as always I note that the top gear is suitable for time-trialling and the bottom not low enough for mortals carrying their home up hill. You'd think that with 24 gears we'd at least invite 'granny' to the party.
Unfortunately the brakes have been penny-pinched and are a fairly poor quality alloy V-brake which combined with spongy pads and generic cables results in less positive braking than the Altus on the VFS and draggy cables after a while. Saddle is a simple 'Dawes' branded affair and the finishing kit of seatpost, quill and handlebars of basic but acceptable quality. The Headset is by FSA and performs well.
