Soma Fabrications Double Cross

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Get-a-Grip

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Busse Woods bike path

Bike Setup:
Ridley 4ZA Zornyc CF fork, Cane Creek headset, Felt 1.3 6061 Alloy Bar, Felt Forged Stem, Shimano 105 brifters, Tektro Oryx brakes with Tektro RX bar-top levers, Mavic CXP-22 Double-Wall Rims & Felt & Hubs w/ 700x28 Continental Gatorback tires, 175mm Sram S300 GXP Crank w/44t single chainwheel, Shimano CX pedals, Ultegra rear derailleur, Shimano 105 11-25 cassette

Summary:
This is a 2008 Soma Double cross with the Disc brake flange. I wanted a little more performance than most steel CX bikes, but the smooth ride of steel. The frame is less than 5 Lbs in a size 60. I set it up as a 1x10. It's a bike that is ideal for daily use including faster commutes and longer fun rides. Recommended!

Strengths:
Smooth ride, fun handling, light for steel @ 23 Lbs, tough, comfortable position for longer rides

Weaknesses:
Stability when the rear rack is loaded

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Vecchio's

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Boulder-Ward-Brainard Lake

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 9s STI shifters & derailleurs, Ritchey WCS Compact crankset, Ultegra BB, Avid Shorty 6 brakes, Salsa Bell Lap bar, Thomson Seatpost, Crank Bros Eggbeaters, Mavic Open Pro wheelset w/Ultegra hubs

Summary:
I've ridden my Double Cross loaded with panniers from Germany to France to watch the Tour. I've taken in mountain biking on single track. I've raced it for cyclocross and I've raced in road circuits, crits, and in Roubaix-style road races. In every aspect, this bike rocks. It's very easy on the body, soaking up road cracks and chip-seal with ease. It tracks thru corners predictably and with a great deal of stability (even when fully loaded and going faster than one reasonably should). The tall head tube keeps you from having to have a gooseneck looking cockpit with a zillion spacers under the stem when setting the bike up for commuting. And the ample tire clearance lets you run fat tires under fat fenders, should you commute where there's snow.

The steel is actually a step up from that used on the Surly's, and most old time bike wrenches will tell you that they've seen fewer problems with Soma than w/ Surly. Something people rarely review about is how well a bike handles crashes - so let me tell you that this bike can take it. I've tested this fact out thoroughly. The paint might get nicked, but there are no mystery cracks or dents like aluminum, that's for sure. And should you somehow succeed in really tweaking it.... hello, it's steel, bring it to a local frame builder and they'll weld, bend, hammer the thing back into shape. I'm actually in the process of getting mine cut and fitted with S&S couplers. Great bike. I highly recommend it.

Strengths:
Such a supple ride. The steel just soaks up the road imperfections with ease. Frame has double eyelets to allow racks and fenders at the same time. Tall head tube is great if building up a commuter or touring bike (but not too tall for racing either). Nice paint. Not a Surly (which, c'mon, EVERYBODY has).

Weaknesses:
I'm fishing here. If you're racing 'cross, it's not as light as Sven Nys's carbon Colnago. If you're racing crits, it's not as stiff as Boonen's Tarmac SL. And if you're touring, it doesn't come with an optional motor for those long uphills. Seriously, this bike is BY FAR the best bang-for-the-buck bike I've ever owned. It's even better than some frames I've had that were 4x the cost.

Similar Products Used:
Empella Bonfire, Van Dessel Gin & Trombones ('cross races only), Softride, Scott, Cannondale,

Price Paid:  $321.00 at La Dolce Velo (San J

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
North-West Marin Hills

Bike Setup:
105 9spd STI shifters with 105-f/Ultegra-r
Avid shorty 4 brakes plus Tektro race inline top levers
FSA SL-K Carbon 46/34 crank w XT 11-32 casette (or for racing 11-26 SRAM)
Fuji Cross Carbon fork
IRD Technoglide headset
Ritchey comp stem, post and cross ergo bars
Selle Anatomica Waytershed Red leather seat (awesome comfort)
Cross Wheels: Chris King/Wheelsmith/Mavic wheelset with Ritchie Excavder front Speedmax Cross rear tires (Also run Conti Twister Pros)
Road Wheels: Mavic Askium Race with Vittoria Open Pave 700/24

Summary:
Bike is actually a 2008 Bought in March.
I love my Doublecross. Nice light steel bike with supple handling and a very smooth ride. The only knock I have is the opaint is easily scratched or chipped so I am pretty close to paranoid about it. I ride a black double cross with Mavic Askium Race wheels for road and custom Chris King Mavic Reflex/Open Pro Wheelsmith wheels for the dirt/mixed surface. I plan to race my bike this winter. I better get used to scratches however. La Dolce Velo took my parts off a Fuji Cross I bought and did an amazing job building this bike up for me. Best Local Bike Shop in the S.F. Bay Area!
I ride on roads mainly and the bike id comfy and solid. When off road I was bombing down a loose shale grade and took a corner too fast and suddenly I am airborne with wheels at 45 degrees from the dirt. A jerk op on my bars an outer shift of weight and the bike screamed around the corner like a rocket. Made me realize I was not as good a rider as the bike is capable of being ridden. I could get in trouble on this baby... or I might win...

Strengths:
The ride
Good Acceleration
Handling is very neutral and forgiving
Light for steel (frame is 4.2 lbs Whole bike is 19lbs

Weaknesses:
Paint is delicate, what no clear coat?

Similar Products Used:
2006 Fuji Cross
Peugeot U08 cyclocross set up
Mercier touring
Champione du Monde (Gitane)

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at american cyclery

Model Year:
2002

Favorite Ride:
Tamarancho

Bike Setup:
Mostly ultegra components.

Summary:
I got a lot of great use out of my double cross - ~10,000 miles of difficult city roads, curbs, etc., a lot of it using paniers packed with laptop, shoes etc.

Unfortunately the frame just broke - same as another reviewer, the chain stay snapped on the drive wheel at the rear axle. The frame did outlast a rear wheel (I'm ~185lbs with another 25lbs of gear most rides).

My other complaint on the bike was the brakes which do not have the same stopping power as on either of my other two bikes (maverick mtb and a trek madone). Also, it was hard to keep them quiet - too much play in the brakes required lots of toe-in.

I am looking at a surly cross check as a replacement - a little heavier but hopefully will last a little longer. Usually my frames outlast a couple of wheels sets :)

Strengths:
Great ride - 5+ years of reliable nearly daily use including some off road, lots of curbs etc.

Weaknesses:
Frame damage (though in good company with the other 3 frames I've broken over 20 years)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Houston Bicycle Comp

Bike Setup:
Rival Group, with compact 36-50
DT Swiss TK 7.1 w/ ultega/xt hubs
Avids Shorty 6
CK Headset
Ritchey Pro everywhere else
Soma Fork

Summary:
This is one smooth ride, my other cross bike doesn't even come close to the comfort of this bike. From the very first ride I was in love with it, handles so nice on or off road and even loaded down with groceries on the rack. With road slicks it is more than capable road bike. After a couple of months with this bike I sold my cf road bike just didn't ride it anymore. This really is a great all arounder all you need is few sets of tires and you are pretty much covered for most terrains. I have the green which is very dark almost black. I do most my riding in the inner city and don't drive and this bike seems like it was just meant for me. I doubt I will ever be replacing this bike unless it breaks or is stolen.

Strengths:
Comfort, lighter than my alum cross bike

Weaknesses:
None, other than they aren't many around so good luck finding one to test ride.

Similar Products Used:
Own - Motobecane Fantom Cross Test rode - Specialized Tricross, Bianchi Volpe, Trek X01