Cyclocross - My Soma Rebuild Thread

Hi all,

I've been thinking about tricking out my Soma Doublecross for a couple of months now and I am finally going to go for it. I am documenting this transformation because it should be cool to see the transformation, but also because I want your input.

Here is Bealtaine:


Here's what I am thinking of changing:

Seatpost: Bontrager --> Thomson Elite
Stem: Easton --> Thomson X2 Road 31.8
Shifter/Brake Levers: Sora/Tiagra --> Ultegra
Front Derailleu: Sora --> Ultegra
Rear Derailleur: Tiagra --> Ultegra
Handlebar: Deda 26 clamp --> Salsa Pro Road 31.8 clamp
Crankset: Bontrager 52/42/32 --> FSA Gossamer 46/36
Fork: Surly LHT --> Ritchey Cyclocross WCS carbon
Cassette: Tiagra 12-25 --> Ultegra 12-25
Brake pads: generic --> ???

And other things like new bar tap, cables/housing, front brake cable stop.
What brake pads do you recommend for road riding as well as cross riding?

I want your input.Tubulars.

Will it be used for racing or as a general purpose fun bike?

Michael

Hi all,

I've been thinking about tricking out my Soma Doublecross for a couple of months now and I am finally going to go for it. I am documenting this transformation because it should be cool to see the transformation, but also because I want your input.

Here's what I am thinking of changing:

Seatpost: Bontrager --> Thomson Elite
Stem: Easton --> Thomson X2 Road 31.8
Shifter/Brake Levers: Sora/Tiagra --> Ultegra
Front Derailleu: Sora --> Ultegra
Rear Derailleur: Tiagra --> Ultegra
Handlebar: Deda 26 clamp --> Salsa Pro Road 31.8 clamp
Crankset: Bontrager 52/42/32 --> FSA Gossamer 46/36
Fork: Surly LHT --> Ritchey Cyclocross WCS carbon
Cassette: Tiagra 12-25 --> Ultegra 12-25
Brake pads: generic --> ???

And other things like new bar tap, cables/housing, front brake cable stop.
What brake pads do you recommend for road riding as well as cross riding?

The Thomson Elite seatpost is a really super strong and high quality item. I'm not sure how much of a difference you'll see in the Ultegra upgrade. Tiagra isn't that great but for beating around in the mud it isn't that bad. I noticed no wheel upgrade. IMO, you might want to try the compact double with a new set of wheels first. You'll shed a lot of weight with a new set of wheels and crank. Light weight wheels will give you a really noticeable difference in acceleration and climbing. Good luck on whatever you choose.

+1 wheels before drivetrain, no matter what you read in the road forum.

The Thomson Elite seatpost is a really super strong and high quality item. I'm not sure how much of a difference you'll see in the Ultegra upgrade. Tiagra isn't that great but for beating around in the mud it isn't that bad. I noticed no wheel upgrade. IMO, you might want to try the compact double with a new set of wheels first. You'll shed a lot of weight with a new set of wheels and crank. Light weight wheels will give you a really noticeable difference in acceleration and climbing. Good luck on whatever you choose.

I was rushed and forgot to include some things. I completely forgot about the wheelset I am building. White Industries hubs laced to Velocity Aeroheads. I also didn't mention that the Ultegra components are coming off of my current road bike that I really don't like the feel of.

This bike is going to be my road bike and cross bike until I purchase a new road bike (If I bought it tomorrow, it'd be a Giant TCR Alliance). I want it to be nice.

The wheelset from my road bike will now become my road wheelset for this bike. I will use an 11-25 cassette on those wheels and a 12-25 on that wheels that I will be building.

I'm thinking Wound-up fork vs. Ritchey Fork. Would look nice with the smaller diameter tubes.

I'm thinking Wound-up fork vs. Ritchey Fork. Would look nice with the smaller diameter tubes.

I have heard that those forks are very prone to flutter. Do you have experience with them?

The carbon fork will be a great upgrade. I searched for a New take-off and ended up with a Ridley fork on my Soma for $140;

brake pads->salmon kool stops

Also, you might want to get a separate cable carrier, tektro makes one, so you can adjust the feel of your brakes more than the stock straddle cables allow.

Also, throw in a an inline barrel adjuster for your rear brakes and possibly your front brakes. These are nice for a myriad of reasons, but might come in really handy if you are changing wheelsets.

Will it be used for racing or as a general purpose fun bike?

Michael

Sorry to reply so late. It will be used as a road bike as well as an offroad fun bike (isn't all cycling fun in its own way?). I also may enter some cross races.

What headset are you using?

I got more enjoyment out of upgrading the headset on my Double Cross than anything else. It made the whole front end feel so much more solid and helped eliminate some brake squeal too.

What headset are you using?

I got more enjoyment out of upgrading the headset on my Double Cross than anything else. It made the whole front end feel so much more solid and helped eliminate some brake squeal too.

I thought the fork had more to do with it than the headset. What kind of headset did you use?

What headset are you using?

I got more enjoyment out of upgrading the headset on my Double Cross than anything else. It made the whole front end feel so much more solid and helped eliminate some brake squeal too.

It's an FSA Orbit headset.

So some updates.

Wheels (both 32 spoke):
-Black White Industries MI5 Hubs
-Silver D/B Spokes
-Black Alloy Nipples
-Gold Velocity Aerohead rims. Rear is off-center.
I will also be purchasing a rear axle kit from White Industries to space the rear hub to 130.

Fork:
I am pretty much set on getting the Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross fork. I want to lighten the front up a bit and still get some good vibration dampening. I also think it will look really good with the steel frame.

:thumb::):thumb:

I think you will really like the ride and road holding that the fork provides.

Michael

:thumb::):thumb:

I think you will really like the ride and road holding that the fork provides.

Michael

That's great to hear! Thanks.

The CF fork might ride better, but it's hard to beat the looks of the lugged Surly fork. But that's just me.

I don't think that the Surly fork is anything special. It's a decent steel fork, but that's about it.

I thought the fork had more to do with it than the headset. What kind of headset did you use?

It was a cheapie Aheadset SAS that the LBS happened to have in stock and I was eager to get the bike on the road. I underestimated how aggressively I would ride the bike and it kept loosening up so it was eventually replaced with an FSA Orbit.

The problem was dual. Softer pads replaced squeal with a mild shudder. The shudder and the aggressive riding loosened up the headset. Loose headset made the shudder worse. Hard braking with loaded panniers caused the softer pads to glaze over and the caused the squeal to come back alongside the shudder. ARRRRGGGHH!!!

Eventually got sick of trying all the piddley cheap tricks and replaced both the fork and headset and the problem was fixed.

Eventually got sick of trying all the piddley cheap tricks and replaced both the fork and headset and the problem was fixed.

What kind of fork and headset did you eventually use?

An FSA Orbit X (classic look) and an IRD Straight Blade Unicrown fabricated with Tange Infinity tubing.

I am planning on getting a Salsa Short & Shallow handlebar. 82mm reach, 144mm drop.

To figure out the appropriate stem length that I will like, do I just make the sum of the stem and bar reach equal to my current setup, or do I need to take the reduced drop into consideration as well?

I have a green double cross and those gold rims seem like they would be a wicked match with the soma logo. I think I just found my next wheelset.

An FSA Orbit X (classic look) and an IRD Straight Blade Unicrown fabricated with Tange Infinity tubing.

Is the Unicrown fork the one where the leg is bent and forms the crown like a MTB fork?

I have a green double cross and those gold rims seem like they would be a wicked match with the soma logo. I think I just found my next wheelset.

Yeah, I am pretty excited.

I have heard that those forks are very prone to flutter. Do you have experience with them?



I've had a few buddies own them for both road and cross, no issues at all.

Is the Unicrown fork the one where the leg is bent and forms the crown like a MTB fork?

yep. unicrowns are typically stiffer than lugged forks. somewhat uncertain about carbon but from what I've been able to gather: unicrown typically stiffer than carbon typically stiffer than lugged. YMMV.

I am planning on getting a Salsa Short & Shallow handlebar. 82mm reach, 144mm drop.

To figure out the appropriate stem length that I will like, do I just make the sum of the stem and bar reach equal to my current setup, or do I need to take the reduced drop into consideration as well?



I'm quoting myself to ensure that nobody missed my question.

So I am almost done with everything (cross wheels and seatpost still to come). Here it is in road mode:


Went from about 26.5 lbs with the same wheels and tires on to about 23. The fork was the great majority of it.


I love the crankset and the gearing it provides. There are some great (steep) hill climbs in my area and the 36 small ring really helps.


The fork's vibration dampening is great, and the front end is a lot lighter.


I think it's got a mean mug shot.

Awesome!

How do you like the ride?

Michael

Awesome!

How do you like the ride?

Michael

Thanks Michael. I just took it out today for the first ride with the fork on there, and it rides beautifully. I can totally tell that it weighs less when climbing and accelerating. The fork absorbs bumps in the road very well. I was previously worried about the amount of flex that the fork provides, but it felt great, even when out of the saddle. I am looking forward to building my cross wheels and riding around at the local open space.