Experience w/ Soma and/or Surly?
06-21-18, 09:45 AM
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Experience w/ Soma and/or Surly?
I'm looking to get a new steel frame to replace my old Specialized Allez that I bought around 2003. I can't quite justify the price of a custom frame, so I've been looking around at less costly options. Frames from both Surly and Soma have caught my eye. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with either of these brands. Most searches bring up discussions that are more than 10 years old or discussions about frames I'm not really interested in.
I'm weighing in around 260 these days, but hoping to drop a few pounds (aren't we all!!). I am leaning towards a road geometry, so that would be the Surly Pacer or Soma Smoothie.
Any help would be appreciated.
I'm weighing in around 260 these days, but hoping to drop a few pounds (aren't we all!!). I am leaning towards a road geometry, so that would be the Surly Pacer or Soma Smoothie.
Any help would be appreciated.
06-21-18, 09:53 AM
#2
SuperGimp
They are both very well regarded bike makers... Wabi makes a nice steel frame too and you can probably find some others if you do a little digging.
I have no personal experience with either, just relaying my general sense from being on this board forever.
I have no personal experience with either, just relaying my general sense from being on this board forever.
06-21-18, 10:13 AM
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Soma frames might be lighter than Surly.
Also check out Black Mountain road frame...
Home - Black Mountain Cycles
Also check out Black Mountain road frame...
Home - Black Mountain Cycles
06-21-18, 10:17 AM
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I can't speak for their frames yet, but I'm LOVING Soma's Shikoro tires that I bought a few weeks ago for my commuter/gravel bike. And Soma was pretty responsive when I emailed them w/a question about the tires.
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06-21-18, 10:23 AM
#5
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Soma frames might be lighter than Surly.
Also check out Black Mountain road frame...
Home - Black Mountain Cycles
Also check out Black Mountain road frame...
Home - Black Mountain Cycles
Mike sent out this picture yesterday, with a Road on the left, MCD on the right.
06-21-18, 11:35 AM
#7
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And he builds up for clydes, he is doing a MCD for me. 36 hole, triple cross.
Not the cheapest guy in the world, but definitely good quality solid builds with no shortcuts.
He can get a decent fit over the internet, measurements of existing bike setup or measure yourself and he does a computer generated bike mockup.
Not the cheapest guy in the world, but definitely good quality solid builds with no shortcuts.
He can get a decent fit over the internet, measurements of existing bike setup or measure yourself and he does a computer generated bike mockup.
06-21-18, 11:49 AM
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I have been touring on a Surly LHT since 2008. Soma makes nice bikes as well. And yes, I believe they are generally lighter.
06-21-18, 12:21 PM
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06-21-18, 12:23 PM
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06-21-18, 12:28 PM
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06-21-18, 02:53 PM
#13
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06-22-18, 12:53 AM
#14
GadgetJim57
I'm looking to get a new steel frame to replace my old Specialized Allez that I bought around 2003. I can't quite justify the price of a custom frame, so I've been looking around at less costly options. Frames from both Surly and Soma have caught my eye. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with either of these brands. Most searches bring up discussions that are more than 10 years old or discussions about frames I'm not really interested in.
I'm weighing in around 260 these days, but hoping to drop a few pounds (aren't we all!!). I am leaning towards a road geometry, so that would be the Surly Pacer or Soma Smoothie.
Any help would be appreciated.
I'm weighing in around 260 these days, but hoping to drop a few pounds (aren't we all!!). I am leaning towards a road geometry, so that would be the Surly Pacer or Soma Smoothie.
Any help would be appreciated.
06-22-18, 10:09 AM
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I've ridden a Soma the last three years. Its the Wolverine frameset, so I can't speak to the Smoothie, but I've been very pleased with the frame. I'm only a sample size of one, but Soma isn't a bad choice, imo.
06-22-18, 11:22 AM
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not really, your talking a steel vs Carbon vs Alum when come weight of the bike, all for same about of money when talking about Somas. Frameset start at $500 and up so complete builds are close to 2k.
Of those two brands, the Soma frames looks better to my eyes. I'd love a Soma Juice SS 29er
Of those two brands, the Soma frames looks better to my eyes. I'd love a Soma Juice SS 29er
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06-22-18, 11:27 AM
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06-24-18, 04:08 PM
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I weigh a little less than you do and bought a Surly LHT as my first bike to get back into riding about 6 years ago. For the type of riding I do which is a mix of gravel and pavement it has been great. I'd buy another one if I destroyed this one.
They do run a little long in the top tube if that is important to you.
They do run a little long in the top tube if that is important to you.
06-29-18, 12:08 PM
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not really, your talking a steel vs Carbon vs Alum when come weight of the bike, all for same about of money when talking about Somas. Frameset start at $500 and up so complete builds are close to 2k.
Of those two brands, the Soma frames looks better to my eyes. I'd love a Soma Juice SS 29er
Of those two brands, the Soma frames looks better to my eyes. I'd love a Soma Juice SS 29er
105 for ~475 https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/catal...view/id/29974/
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06-30-18, 08:20 PM
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Its quicker and easier to lose 5 lbs of bike and it stays off. But you don't normally lose 5 lbs on the frames it normally requires lighter components and that can get expensive.
Last edited by cyclist2000; 06-30-18 at 08:25 PM.
07-01-18, 05:02 PM
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I am a clyde and I have a Soma Double Cross.
Here is my thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdal...0lb-clyde.html, I had similar questions. Some of the replies there might be useful for you.
It is slightly more relaxed than a road racing bike and it can accept wider tires. Took it for a 50 mile ride (Van Cortlandt park to Brewster) yesterday.
Here is my thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdal...0lb-clyde.html, I had similar questions. Some of the replies there might be useful for you.
It is slightly more relaxed than a road racing bike and it can accept wider tires. Took it for a 50 mile ride (Van Cortlandt park to Brewster) yesterday.
07-03-18, 09:32 AM
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Thanks for your input, everyone! This has been a big help. I think it's now between the Soma and Black Mountain Road. I can get the Soma frame from my LBS (and get it now-ish), but I really like what I've seen and read about Black Mountain; also might save a couple bucks buying the complete bike from him. Also, the Black Mountain road frame in my size is out of stock until October-November. I want my new bike now!
05-12-20, 10:59 PM
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Thanks for your input, everyone! This has been a big help. I think it's now between the Soma and Black Mountain Road. I can get the Soma frame from my LBS (and get it now-ish), but I really like what I've seen and read about Black Mountain; also might save a couple bucks buying the complete bike from him. Also, the Black Mountain road frame in my size is out of stock until October-November. I want my new bike now!
Soma is great and all, but thru the years there have been posts about a lack of customer service and that for sure isn't the case with black mountain. The qc for Soma doesn't seem to have the universal praise of black mountain either.
also, don't get sucked into the Tange Prestige tubing for Soma. Modern Prestige is has the same butting numbers as back mountain tuning and tubing for both is heat treated.
My black mountain did gravel duty for a few years and last year was converted into a commuting/touring bike. Super versatile, though working from home for the last 2 months and campgrounds being close has kinda forced that bike to hang on the hook for a while now. I fully expect to keep the frame for as long as I ride.
