Bike Setup: An old Truvativ compact GPX crank (50-36t), and old Ultegra components from another bike I’ve disassembled. The rear cassette is 11-25t 9 speed. With Xero aero rims, Easton carbon fork and carbon seat post, Control Tech stem and handlebar, a hefty Selle Italia Flite saddle and Performance Forte Ti clippless peddles it weighs in at 19.9 pounds. In my estimation, that's pretty darn light for a steel bike.
Summary: Before buying this semi-compact chromoly (Tange Prestige) frame, I gave thorough consideration to all the different materials out there and with the bang-for-your-buck factor the Soma Smoothie was the one to get. I could've spent a few extra dollars and gone with a model from Soma's lugged frames, but I've ridden TIG-welded chromoly mountain bike hardtails and they've held up well enough. I won't be riding any single-track on this road frame.
I took it to a LBS for frame prep. The owner and his Ti-welding wrench both commented on the high quality of the welds, the paint job, and especially the price. The owner said, "Man, you'd spend that much for this [quality and color of] powder coat alone." (The Smoothie only comes in two colors: green and blue. Mine is blue.) Well, I know some who have spend a few hundred for a powder coat job.
That said and the fact that the frame needed no prepping (no facing, no thread-chasing) other than a dab of grease here and there—plus an independent opinion that it was a super buy--just bolstered my confidence in the Soma Smoothie being a decent choice for a budget ride.
With my setup, it's light enough for me at 19.9 lbs. This is a steel bike! So far, it has about 250 miles on it and it rides superb. "Smoothie" is an apropos name.
I’m a hard rider at 180 lbs, and standing on the cranks to climb a grade is pretty much my style. The power transfer was firm, no flex, no creaks, just the whir of chain-on-gear and the sound of my own breathing.
No complaints at this point. Soma Smoothie is an exceptional buy for a semi-compact non-lugged steel frame.
Strengths: Price, clean welds, nice paint job, double-butted Tange Prestige chromoly, semi-compact frame, relatively light at 3.9 lb for the 56cm frame.
Weaknesses: Nothing glaring, a decal alignment is slightly off. (I'll definitely lose some time there...)
Similar Products Used: TST Ti roadframe, Centurion "Dave Scott Expert" lugged Tange chromoly frame, Velorazzo aluminum compact road frame(sold as double-butt, but decals stated triple-butt)
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Bike Setup: Ultegra 9 speed throughout w/ carbon cranks, OCLV fork and Velocity rims laced to Marwi ti spokes - yep I like to go fast.
Summary: I'm a clyde just so everyone knows.
I needed a replacement frame since I sheared the chain stay on my other frame. Anyways, I purchased this frame after searching other brands for fit and price and I'm glad I bought the Soma it completely blew me away.
I didn't have the issues the other guy had w/ facing the studs & the bb. I just bolted on the parts from my old bike onto the Soma with no hassle.
The welds are straight and clean, the paint is glossy and the decals are under clear coat. The tubes are Tange Prestige and is of the smaller diameter variety but it's definatley a beauty in that retro/modern kind of way. The top tube does slope but I wouldn't go so far as to compare it to a compact frame since it is definatley not. Yes the top tube does run long & this is one of the reasons why I bought it, coupled w/ the longish head tube to avoid having spacers and voila I'm a happy camper.
Fit/Function/Cost = Soma
So I didn't get the 853 tube set - so what? Like the difference between Tange Prestige & 853 is that obvious while riding. And if you can tell the difference then you probably don't ride much since you're too busy reading the industries marketing propaganda. =P
Strengths: First is the price - ya can't beat that.
Second is the ride - I'd call it compliant since the steel definately damps some of the road vibrations.
Third is the handling - this rig is quick, kudos to the geometry.
Weaknesses: None so far, it's steel for christ sake... although I did give it a 4 overall since its not as pretty as the custom brands frame sets... that is if you're into that kind of thing - otherwise I love this frame - it rocks!
Similar Products Used: Quantum, Madone, Allez and others
Bike Setup: Ultegra 9 speed. FSA SLK compact crankset. Mike Garcia wheels. Nothing too flashy. Built into a rock-solid 18lb racer.
Summary: This review is for the former Reynolds 853 Soma Smoothie, get one before they're gone.
So, my plan was to ditch my harsh riding Al Trek 2300 for a custom Ti ride. But, when it came time to fork over the cash for a frame geometry I had never ridden, I chickened out. Along came the Soma. I couldn't pass up $375 for an 853 steel frame. Not only that, but the geometry was almost identical to what I was going to have custom built (longish, slightly sloping top tube). So I built it up more as an experiment to see if I liked the geometry. Its a nice looking frame, but obviously not on par with I.F., Waterford, etc. The welds aren't perfect. The threads on my shifter braze-on weren't tapped deep enough. The BB threads were all mucked up. The paint, however, is pretty decent. But hey, this thing was only $375, what do you expect. So I ended up tapping my shifter braze ons myself. Had my LBS chase & face the BB. PITA, but necessary.
The ride. The ride is pure 853 steel. Sweet. It makes me forget about the trouble I had building this thing. In fact, it makes me forget I built this thing purely as an experiment to see if I liked the geometry. The plan was to order up my custom Ti ride built to the Soma's geometry but I have since postponed that plan and decided to ride the Soma for a while. I'm 6' with a 34" inseam & the 57cm Soma fits me like a glove. The 586mm TT is just what I've been looking for in a bike. The slightly sloping TT exposes just enough seatpost to clamp in my workstand, yet doesn't look like a ridiculous compact frame. The weight is reasonable for a steel bike but still makes me wish for something lighter (Ti?).
So, overall its a really good frame for the money. Just don't skimp on properly prepping the frame before you build it. Definately not on par with most custom builders, but close enough that most people can't tell the difference anyway.
Strengths: Price. If you can still find an 853 frame pick it up. Geometry, love the longish top tube. Sweet steel ride. Paint.
Weaknesses: Weight. Frame not ready to build. Obviously not a $2000+ custom frame. Soma doesn't use Reynolds 853 any more.
Similar Products Used: Trek 2300
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