Poking around a local bike co-op today, I noticed a used bike hanging up that just drew me in. It was a Soma Doublecross, which I haven't heard really anything about other than an ad in Dirtrag I saw a few months ago. Upon inspecting it, I found that it wasn't anything too flashy, but looked like a nice, solid ride. It had a single chainring on front, XT deraileurs, Azonic stem, Salsa bars, Avid shorty brakes, Jandd rack, braze-ons on nice lugged fork, WTB saddle...Didn't notice any dings or flaws at all, and looked nice. It was selling for $550. It wasn't light enough for real racing, but I'm not a cross racer yet. I am interested in a bike that can handle daily commuting, weekend road riding, and singletrack riding as well. Seems like this would be perfect for that.
Anyone know anything about this Soma bike? I have a 2000 Trek 520, and compared the 2 bikes and realized they are actually pretty similar. Does anyone know if I could put some stronger wheels on the 520 and use it off-road? I've ridden it on hard singletrack and it seems to be pretty sturdy. Should I offer to trade bikes, or is the Soma not as good of quality?
Also, it seems like I read somewhere that Soma is making a hemp bike or something. Any truth to that?
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If your 520 has touring grade wheels, you should be able to ride it off-road as is. I ride my tourer on some pretty technical trails. You can't do big drops, or kamikaze descents, and the pedal clearance is less than on a CX, so take care about pedal strikes.
The Soma website is quite good, and they make a well thought-out range of practical bikes. It just seems strange that you need a boutique comapany to specialize in making such workaday, useful machines.
shinomaster
I was told by the owner of city bikes in Portland that the soma is similar to the surly brand.
fore
I was told by the owner of city bikes in Portland that the soma is similar to the surly brand.
not quite.
soma uses much higher grade steel in their frames (reynolds vs. 4120) and generally builds bikes that are somewhat race-worthy. surly believes in overbuilding their bikes to make them ready to handle ANY sort of abuse you can give it at the expense of weighing a bit more. sure, you can race em, but they're designed more for just going out, having fun, and not worrying about breaking your bike.
streetdog
My friend bought a Soma DoubleCross frame which I found at a local shop and built it up into a nice commuter/winter club ride bike. He never rides his carbon Look bike in nasty weather and he still keeps up with the group. His assessment is that it is a solid bike with a nice predictable and comfortable ride. Not as quick handeling as his Look but then, as you said, it isn't a racer. This bike is the ideal commuter, only my SS Gunnar Streetdog is better. :D
The frame normally retails for $400+ and with the parts kit you described it sounds like a deal (steal). :p If it is your size you should go for it! :beer: You won't be disappointed.
Mister_D
Anyone know anything about this Soma bike? I have a 2000 Trek 520, and compared the 2 bikes and realized they are actually pretty similar. Does anyone know if I could put some stronger wheels on the 520 and use it off-road? I've ridden it on hard singletrack and it seems to be pretty sturdy. Should I offer to trade bikes, or is the Soma not as good of quality?
I bought a double-cross three weeks ago & have about 160 miles on it. I love it. I commute to work with it during the week, a route that takes me over curbs, gravel levee roads and even a little single track. This bike is perfect for that sort of use.
Saturday I took it out and thrashed it good on some really rugged fire road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It handled great on the tight turns. Being a rigid bike, it didn't exactly float over the roots and potholes, but it stood up to them, no sweat.
Also, it seems like I read somewhere that Soma is making a hemp bike or something. Any truth to that?