Soma Fabrications Rush

Price Paid:  $325.00 at Calcoast Bikes

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
Thomson, Formula/Velocity, Sugino, Specialized.

Summary:
Swift, maneuverable, light, and responsive. Extremely light. Looked great, and got comments wherever I rode. Very forgiving ride considering the steep geometry and tight wheelbase. Great fun.

Strengths:
Awesome bang for buck. Comfy for a track bike.

Weaknesses:
The seat tube logo looks like one of those funky drinks that has lizards on them. Paint was a bit easy to scratch too.

Similar Products Used:
Giant Bowery (yuck).

Price Paid:  $375.00 at Volker

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
KCMO

Bike Setup:
soma rush frameset, nitto bullhorns, profile design stem, alexrims wheels, soma everwhere tires, odyssey bmx pedals, fsa crankset, selle royal saddle

Summary:
after plowing my raliegh into a van i decided to try the soma rush frame, great buy. great craftsmanship, the welds are beautiful. the back wheel is tucked close to the frame (all part of that track geometry). my first steel frame, just as light as 80's aluminum, but way stronger. double butted steel all around, not just the down tube. i ride this bike to work and school everyday. she hasn't bee through a race yet but i imagine shell do just fine. so good.

Strengths:
stiff, rigid and responsive frame based on track geometry built for the streets yo. a well put together bicycle, made from quality steel, made for the type of riding i ride, clean looks, simple decals. no extra pizzazz, simplicity is best. great price for the quality.

Weaknesses:
clearcoat scratches easily? it looks so good some one might try to steal it. and threaded headsets and forks are ancient technology.

Similar Products Used:
late 80's raleigh aluminum road frame

Price Paid:  $0.00 at craigs

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
san diego

Bike Setup:
King headset, nitto bars, brooks saddle, sugino 75 drivetrain, 36 hole suzue max high flange hubs. Single forward brake.

Summary:
I love it. The frame is stable and comfortable on the ride. I understand that the Tange tubeset is replaced with Reynolds 631 for 07. Not sure what ride differences are. I commute in traffic. Drilled for rear brake but not needed unless its wet out.

Strengths:
Nice thick paint!, Subtle graphics, track geometry and not too much flexing for me (200 lbs) climbing steep hills. Bottle boss for water bottle or commuter bottle battery. No extraneous brazeones to distract from the clean lines.

Weaknesses:
Some paint imprefections on fork - but very, very minor!

Similar Products Used:
Unfortunately, my only steel fixie, but I can say that its more stable than other bikes I demoed. Nice corner clearance with BB, and dont be worried about track geometry being harsh.