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Reviews 1 - 5 (13 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
James Thurber
a CommuterDate Reviewed: September 5, 2011
Strengths: Cost (excellent), overall quality of welds and paint was superb. Great riding position (it fits me!), good ride uphill, a bit twitchy downhill when loaded with books and clothing (I'm a school teacher) but mostly it's an excellent frame, making a first rate (light) touring and commuting bike.Weaknesses: Chainstays are a bit short - but that's it. Otherwise I have absolutely no complaints.Bottom Line: Frame arrived at Palo Alto Bicycle who ensured all threads were chased and surfaces flat - they were. They installed Chris King headset and the frame set / fork was ready to come home.
Favorite Ride: Old La Honda Road
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At: Palo Alto Bicycles
Similar Products Used: Rockhopper, Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker.
Bike Setup: Woods hubs, Dyad rims, Ultegra compact with SRAM XX 11 x 36 cassette (old riders appreciate low gears, even on a road frame!), drop bars, downtube shifters.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Pat
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: March 19, 2011
Strengths: Superior Road Dampining. Nice paint, Decals, Semi Compact geometry.Weaknesses: Heavy, but who caresBottom Line: Bought this frame and fork just for a spare bike to ride. I hadn't ridden a steel bike for several years, mostly riding carbon and aluminum in recent years. The first time I got on the bike I couldn't believe how smooth it was. I took it out for a longer ride on some rough chip seal roads in texas. As my bike entered the rough roads I kept waiting for the bone jarring I was used to with my carbon bike. It never happened, I felt as though I was floating on top of the rough road. I then remimbered that this that was awesome feeling I got 30 years ago when I fell in love with cycling. Thanks for the great ride Soma!
Favorite Ride: Soma Smoothie
Price Paid:
$439.00
Purchased At: bikemania
Similar Products Used: Peugeot, Univega, cannondale, specialized, orbea, nashbar.
Bike Setup: Frame- Tange heat treated, Ultegra 10 speed shifters and derailers, sram cranks, dura ace brakes, forte wheels, stem.
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Submitted by
Decks
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: September 30, 2010
Strengths: Steel, comfort, quality, finish, value for money,traditional geometry. Seriously cool retro look.Weaknesses: Need to face BB shell otherwise the only gripe is more than two color options please!Bottom Line: Bought this to replace a broken 1996 Diamondback Podium 2 that had done great service. Wanted a new steel frame that was well made, reliable, traditional geometry and high quality. And needed something that was durable as I am not as light as I once was. SOMA fitted those criteria. Western Bike outfitters were fantastic and when you are doing mail order from Australia that is important. Ride quality is outstanding, much better than Alu and different to CF. No discernible change in speed between my Spesh Roubaix and the SOMA. For a long day in the saddle the SOMA is the choice. Perhaps the latest CF bike is not the way to go??
Favorite Ride: Mount Buller
Price Paid:
$325.00
Purchased At: Western Bike Outfitt
Similar Products Used: Specialized Roubaix, Diamond Back Podium, Planet-X 'Kaffenback' CX bike, Shogun Team Issue, Custom aluminum road bike, Mongoose CF road bike (back in the 90s). Plus a heap of MTB over the last 20 years
Bike Setup: Ultegra crank (9sp) 53/42, DA rear mech and chain, 12-23 cassette, Ultegra wheelset, Continental GP4000S tires, 105 brakes and STI, Campy seatpost, Specialized bars, Rolls "regal" saddle
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Submitted by
uruz7
a CommuterDate Reviewed: October 10, 2009
Strengths: - Smooooooooth
- Good for everything use!
- Speedy and handles with pin-point aggression.
Weaknesses: - Flexes a little when hammering up treacherous steep hills.
- Had signs of flash rusting after un-boxing.
- Bike was not assemble ready; required chasing/facing and tapping.
Bottom Line: Was looking for a cheap but trust worthy replacement for my harsh aluminum frame. After a couple months of searching for a steel frame which wouldn’t hollow out my wallet, I came across the Soma Smoothie and decided that it would make a good replacement bike *another option would’ve been the Gunnar roadie.
I have to say that the bike took a good amount of prep work before it was even assemble ready. After un-boxing the BB clearly needed to be chased and faced follow by a good frame treatment.
After a bit of frustration with assembly, the bike turned out to be an awesome ride. The pothole crossing around my house were dull down significantly and the bike performs at general riding level; climbs well, accelerates at a descent pace for amber light running.
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At: Online
Similar Products Used: 2nd steel bike owned
Masi Vinere
Bike Setup: Mostly Ultegra 6600 setup with Easton Circuit Wheels and an old Titanium Flite Saddle
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Submitted by
Paul
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: September 27, 2009
Strengths: As indicated above.Weaknesses: Absolutely none.Bottom Line: Beautiful frame. I purchased the white color, and it has a beautiful finish. Relatively light quality steel frame, that can do anything, from competitive club ride to race. For the price its an real bargain. Very lively and responsive semi-compact geometry.
Price Paid:
$350.00
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Reviews 1 - 5 (13 Reviews Total)
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