Soma Fabrications Double Cross

Price Paid:  $400.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2003

Favorite Ride:
Touring

Bike Setup:
Front/rear racks. XT/LX mix. Bar cons. Moustache bars. Avid Shorty 6s. Fenders

Summary:
The bike was simply great. Agile, quick and smooth. Liked the feel better than my cross check. Unfortunately, it WAS simply great for as long as it stayed together. I used it for loaded touring--front and rear racks with 50 lbs of gear maybe. The rear chainstay broke when hammering on it up a small incline. Would normally chalk it up to abuse, but I've read enough similar stories online and the kicker was a friend whose rig also broke when touring (his was seat stay near the down tube).

Strengths:
Quick, fun, responsive. Lots of eyelets--front low-rider mounts.

Weaknesses:
It broke.

Similar Products Used:
Surly Cross Check; Schwinn Traveler; Trek 990 set up for touring.

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Cycle Cambridge, Ont

Bike Setup:
Took parts of my DeVinci Apex to build this up. 105 rear derailleur, Tiagara shifters and front derailleur. Truvative Power spline cranks. BB7 Disks.

Summary:
This is a review for a 2009 SOMA Double Cross Disc.

I needed a three season bike (I have a aluminum beater for Winter) that had to perform three tasks. Commuting, Touring and Weekend road riding. It needed to be fast for road riding, which it is, smooth for commuting, which it is and rackable for touring. I have not ridden it loaded yet, but I got an Axiom rack for disc brakes/road bikes which pushes the load back three inches, so this will hopefully keep it stable. It has a longer wheel base than and average road bike, but shorter than a long haul trucker.

At just about 2 months, it is excellent so far. I may do a longer term review after a year or two. I can keep up with my friends on road bikes easily. The frames, disc canti studs are removeable on my 2009 frame.

Strengths:
Versatility, Smoothness of ride, toughness. Fast. Paint scheme is subdued so it doesn't stand out when parked in the bike racks.

Weaknesses:
No matching forks for the disc version. Had to get black IRD forks.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at cbo

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
lx/xt build with hydro dc levers. 990 DH casette. 26er + mtb semi slicks 24~46 crank.

Summary:
this is a review for the DC disc version w/ disc fork. comfortable steel, tight steering. i searched for a commuter/trainer that would feel geometrically similar to my xc bike, had rack mounts, and discs. it also had to come in my size [48cm] this was it. i only give it 4 for value because its only able to be bought as a frame and a similar pre-built commuter bike doesnt cost too much more. that being said, the quality is very good and even though its steel, its light enough. now i find the steering fast and it seems to be asking me for a aero bar. but for commuting or touring i find it a litte too fast. i am going to try a 69er and see how that works. and i have another rigid fork that's about 1" longer a2c. that being said, this bike is fun to ride, shows good quality and will remain in my lineup, i am thoroughly satisfied

Strengths:
dual eyelets, disc or canti (hence DC) many sizes. quick steering.

Weaknesses:
canti studs aren't removable

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $500.00 at saturday cycles

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
single speed cross racer and commuter.

Summary:
2008 soma double cross DC (disc version, but with IRD cant fork). great bike, real feel of steel. have it set up SS with white brothers eric's eccentric rear hub. great racer AND commuter. reasonably light, nice geometry but still fast enough.

Strengths:
good price, good fit, good steel, smooth ride.

Weaknesses:
a bit on the heavy side compared to Al and carbon.

Similar Products Used:
cannonbarrel cross frame and fork.

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