Soma Fabrications Smoothie ES

Price Paid:  $950.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Florida, Levy County HW 347

Bike Setup:
Steel "ES" Cobalt Blue frame : 59cm with tall, uncut IRD Tange steel fork. Mostly Shimano 105 components; triple/ten cogs. Shimano 105 hubs laced to Mavic A319 19mm touring rims 32/36 spokes; WTB Slickasaurus 700 x 35 tires; no fenders. Ritchey "Classic" non-Ergo shallow bars held by Ritchey 120mm Adjustable Stem. Selle Royal gel saddle on springs. MKS #33 counter-weighted pedals with Power Grips. One "blinkie", two strobe lights; I am very careful to be visible to vehicles, especially pickups pulling sport fishing boats on trailers at 75 mph.

Summary:
I have two road bikes on which I ride Centuries in Florida and nearby Georgia and Alabama: My Soma Smmothie ES and a Jamis Quest. Both are steel, light, shock absorbing, long wheelbase and comfortable. Both are set up with Shimano 105 components. I can ride them both fast, with the Jamis Quest being slightly faster covering 100 miles. (I have reviewed the Jamis Quest separately.) I like the IRD steel fork. First, it projects quite a distance above the 170mm head tube, longer than the available carbon forks, which yields a distinctly head up riding position which is easy on my neck and back. IRD steel fork also absorbs road shocks well. You BUY a SOMA ES because you want to take it easy on your body relative to trendy "race geometry" frames.

Strengths:
I PREFER STEEL TO OTHER FRAME MATERIALS. The Soma "ES" frame builds into a very comfortable, mile-eating bike. The wheelbase is a long 1027mm so the Soma ES tracks exceptionally well without conscious rider attention. Rivendell on the cheap.

Weaknesses:
ES 58cm frame feels "short" relative to other 58cm framed bikes I own. This is likely attributable to the 73 degree head angle and the long fork. I use a l20mm stem to get the 'bar out there at sufficient distance. This "weakness" comment is not a biggie; just build around it. But as Somas are usually bought as frames you should be aware of the subjective feel.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Quest and Specialized Roubaix Triple. I prefer the Jamis Quest and Soma ES to the Roubaix.

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

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.