Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
9 Speed Chorus
Tektro long reach brakes
SKS Fenders
Avocet bag and rack

Summary:
I bought an ES in 2005 for a commuter. I really liked the finish, it exceeded my expectations for the price point. The fork is a boat anchor, but it matches the frame and I am not overly concerned with weight. I used it daily for around 20 months in tropical Hawaii with no rust issues. One morning on the way to work, the frame snapped at the drive side rear dropout. Soma offered to repair the frame under warranty. The frame was sent to a frame shop and repaired. The frame was returned unpainted with bare metal. I was not satisfied with the repair and after a few weeks of being ignored, I finally got a new frame. The frames are built and painted overseas. I have no doubts about the quality of the repair, I just expected the frame to be repainted where the repairs were made.

The frame that broke was a 631 and the replacement was Tange. I haven't ridden the new frame. The frames need quite a bit of prep work before building up.

I would buy a Soma frame again.

Strengths:
Bang for the buck
Finish
Customer service, after a while.

Weaknesses:
Weight, if that matters.
Seat tube water bottle bosses are low like a cross bike. Too low for me to use.

Similar Products Used:
Gunnar Crosshairs

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
20 to 100 milers right from my front door.

Bike Setup:
IRD Mosaic fork, Sugino triple w/ 105 der, DA bar-ends, Schmidt Dyno, Brooks B17CS, Noodle bars, Pasela 32c’s, Blackburn rack and trunk bag, Jandd HB bag, Brooks D seat bag.

Summary:
Early this spring I began searching the market for a frame. I wanted a Randonnuering design for long distance comfort, a bike I could ride in the spring when my lack of fitness limits enjoyment of an aggressive racing position. I wanted to have the handlebars at the same height as the saddle, room for fenders and 32mm tires, provisions for rack and fenders, something suitable for commuting, running errands, centuries, double centuries, and maybe even PBP! Riding a full on race bike like my Serotta Legend Ti is great when I’m in terrific shape and want to go out for a hard charging 20-60 miler, but as I get older, aggressive riding is less frequent. I’m not going to do loaded touring, the bikes I’ve tried of that design feel sluggish and boring. I didn’t want to give up a spirited fun ride.

So what’s out there to choose from? A Specialized Sequoia – limited tire/fender clearance, prefer steel. The Rivendell Rambouillet would have been a top choice but wasn’t in my budget for this project. Surley, Kogswell, Gunnar, Comotion - either the geometry wasn’t perfect or the price wasn’t in range.

I’ve had my Smoothie ES on the road for a month now. I knew on the first ride that I was going to love this bicycle, and after five hundred miles I couldn’t be happier.

Strengths:
Basic geometry is right in the sweet spot. 73 degree parallel, 43cm chain stays, 70mm BB drop… throw in extra beefy rear triangle tubes and you get a solid spirited ride with just the right balance of handling, stiffness and comfort. Slightly extended head tube allows bars to match seat height without looking goofy. No alignment or fit and finish issues – a smooth build. Welds are exceptionally clean and uniform and the paint is too, including a nice clear coat over the decals.

Weaknesses:
IRD fork is tight, making fender mount w/ 32c Pasela a challenge.
Should have threaded bosses at chain stay and under rear brake bridge for fender mount.
Should have a head tube pump nipple

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
NE Where

Bike Setup:
Set up for commuting, errands, pulling the grand-kid in trailer, etc. It is mix of mostly decent parts I had around, Ultegra triple drive train, Specialized Sworks/OpenPro wheels, Shimano long-reach brakes, etc. Soon it'll have rear rack & pack.

Summary:
Not being particulary verbose, I'd say if you're looking for a steel touring/commuting/all-purpose road bike, give the Smoothie ES your serious consideration!

Paid $300 for frame w/IRD steel fork, HS, F. Der. & long-reach brakes

I've got ~250 mi. on it, mostly in the hills/mountains of northern NM. It rides nicely, quite stable, which is what I was looking for. Is the Tange Prestige steel smoother than my Wilier Mortirolo scandium? I donno, probably, but I'm certainly more comfortable with pack on my back full 'o work stuff.

Strengths:
STABLE. What more can I say?

Oh, and price!

Nice ride, more stable than my 'race' bike. Certainly heavier than same, comparatively it makes some difference (few mins.) on my commute (it is hilly here w/~1,000' climb on my 12 mi commute).

Welds are neatly done, paint looks good with a nice bright blue color.

Weaknesses:
Steel fork is heavy at >2 lbs (my measurement).

The frame itself was a quite reasonable weight (4 lbs) for medium-sized steel.

May lack the 'sex appeal' of high-end or custom steel frames--but then I can't/won't afford to pay for it anyway.

Similar Products Used:
S-Works CX was my commuter for the last couple 'o years.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at American Cyclery SF

Bike Setup:
A mix: Tiagra Shifters and FD,(both will eventually be 105s or Ultegra) Deore RD for more climbing gears Sugino cranks (soon to be changed to 105s) Wheelworks wheels, great SOMA 28c tires made by Panaracer and great for urban as well as road riding

Summary:
I bought this bike fully built up - it was the last floor model for 2006, and I'm really enjoying it.I got to take it for a two hour test drive and found the steel provides a nice smooth ride and the more relaxed geometry is great. This bike is fabulously stable on fast descents and is designed to be adapted to a wide variety of conditions. I take itto the grocery store, the office and a century is coming up!

Strengths:
Reasonably light and agile, very stable. Handles a wide variety of tires, racks, panniers, fenders. Great for folks who are going to have one bike.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at online

Bike Setup:
frame - 64cm
wheels - 32 hole ultegra mavic open pros
stem/bar - Sette o/s
shifters - 9 sp Dura Ace
r.d. - Dura Ace
f.d. - ultegra
cassette - ultegra
chain - ultegra
crank - ultegra
saddle - brooks b-17
tape - brooks leather
seatpost - giant faux carbon
fenders - comming soon (soma)

Summary:
I finished building a Smoothie ES and I love it.

About me:
I'm 6'4" and 200 lbs.

What I ride:
I have a short 6 mile bike commute. I also do group rides, road and off-road triathlons. I generally prefer mountain biking to road.

I got this frame to upgrade/replace a Giant OCR3 that was too small. Thank you SOMA for making big frames. I got a 64cm and they even make a 66cm. The frame came clean enough to build (I took it to my LBS and they said it didn't need anything). I sprayed some frame saver on it, but that was it. The paint has a few runs in it and the welds could be smoother, but the quality seems to be very good.

the ride:
This is my first steel bike. The first thing I noticed was the lack of flex. I also like the smooth ride. I was worried that the Smoothie ES (compared to the Smoothie) would be lazy, but with a 120mm stem the steering is very quick.

I've never owned a really high end frame, but this bike was everything I could have wanted. I can tell it will be great for group rides and long training rides. This is a great bike at a great price.

Strengths:
-Price - about $300!! Good luck finding anything else for that.
-Comes in a large range of sizes
-Ready to build
-fits fenders
-easy fit for seatpost, headset, and f.d. clamp

Weaknesses:
-the steel IRD fork is heavier than I expected. I wish I would have gone with carbon
-requires long reach brakes (but fits larger tires and fenders)

Similar Products Used:
My pops has a Surly Pacer. This is almost the same thing

My brother rides a Klein Stage - the Soma has the same geo., but is steel rather than alum.