mams99

I have asked the owner about it and they have the serial number, but they don't know what model. This is the right size for me and I know Soma is a good brand and having S&S couplers would be a bonus, but.... is it worth the risk. It's already been (poorly) repainted - maybe. It's not the original seller who is selling it. For the right price, is it worth seeing if this is a good touring bike? Is anyone able to figure out what model Soma this is?

I don't think I can post the link to it because I haven't posted enough, but if you look at ebay under soma travel touring road bike you will find it.

Tourist in MSN

Is this it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266313990510

I am not familiar with Soma, so I can't say.

Sometimes someone will have S&S couplers added to a frame and then try to paint it themselves later, so it is possible that is why it was repainted. Ask for the S&S wrench if you get it.

mams99

Yes, thank you that is it and YES... good point - make sure it has the wrench. If they don't, I then wonder if it was stolen?

Tourist in MSN

That crossed my mind too. S&S couplers are not a cheap add on, usually people that invest that much in a bike take good care of it. That saddle has not been treated well. I would assume it needs replacement.

But the seller has a very good feedback score, I do not expect that a good seller score would sell questionable merchandise. If you were concerned about it being stolen, you could get the serial number and run it through Bike Index and Project 529 to see if it was registered and then listed as stolen. But vast majority of bikes are never registered anywhere so that is not a sure way to tell.

I doubt if Soma keeps a record of bike thefts, but you could send them the serial number and ask if they can tell you anything about it.

The amount of rust on it suggested it has been outside a lot. I bought a bike that had been stored outside for over a decade. It took me two days to get the bottom bracket out, but I was lucky and there were no rust though spots on the frame. I applied a heavy layer of Frame Saver and put some new parts on it, now it is my errand bike. I stored it outside for another decade, but it now is stored indoors.

The fork does not look like it came with the frame.

csport

Soma has an archive of their frames
Based on the integrated seat collar and the caliper brakes my guess is a Smoothie ES or Smothie.
Saga was their dedicated rim brake touring frame, but it had canti brakes and did not have an integrated seat collar.

mams99

Thank you to the people who replied. I've been trying to learn more about bikes, but there is a LOT to learn! This will be a "pass" for me, but I was curious enough to ask about it.

TiHabanero

Good call. Looks like that machine has had a hard life.

Tourist in MSN

Somebody bought it.

GamblerGORD53

It was a very small size anyway.

mams99

52cm is what it was. I need a 52cm most likely. So a small male or an average height female.

StarBiker

That's why.

Like one poster said it was a bit beat.

A now closed LBS sold Soma. The owner really liked dealing with the company, and what they offered many people bought them. I never see them on the local trail though.

I had an old Soma once. A silver sport? Can't remember. It was a touring bike. Bar end shifters.

csport

It is a smaller brand closely associated with Merry Sales/Bay area (SOMA=SOuth of MArket street area in San Francisco). For one Soma there are 10+ Surlys. I think now they do not sell complete bikes, only frames.

I think there was also a vintage brand named Soma, it has nothing to do with the modern one.

StarBiker

But there are no Surly dealers in this area. People ride whats sold local. Trek dealer 3 miles away, REI two miles away, a couple All City Dealers in the city. Just like cars, same thing. I knew it was San Fran based.......

When I am on the NCR, (almost never in the summer) it's those types of bikes, or beater bikes. And the high end riders.

Yes, the Soma I had was vintage, like 1980ish. It had nothing to do with the current company.

The dealer that sold Soma could not afford his lease increase, moved, and could not compete with REI who he moved into walking distance from. Although they were not clearly visible from each other. Part of it was him, but you have to be competitive.