Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Soma Fabrications, good parts?

I'm looking to build up a Surly Streamroller. Was thinking about building up with Soma parts --- in particular -- the Soma Hellyer crankset (http://www.somafab.com/crankset.html). How good are their products? I'm not looking for anything fancy but I don't want parts to fail. I'm commuting a little over 10 miles daily --- and would like to make this my winter machine (throw on some beefy studds!). Any opinions on Soma (or other cranksets under $150) would greatly be appreciated. :)

I got a Sugino RD on my bike. Not to shabby and with a cheap price.

I've read the RDs have chainline issues. Has this been fixed?

It isn't an issue per se, other than there is no BB that I know of that gives the RD an exactly perfect chainline with the ring where it belongs. I mean, if a 103 won't do it, what will?


I've read the RDs have chainline issues. Has this been fixed?

fan of Soma's stuff. have some brake levers, bars, and a frame. not seen the cranks in person.

Soma parts are fine, but generally they are overpriced. Look around. You can usually find Soma stuff for cheaper than what they sell it in their website. $165 for those cranks is absurd.

How are their forks? I'm currently looking for a fork right now, and I was looking at this. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16879&category=704
I was also thinking about Nash Bars Carbon Fiber Fork. The only problem is that I wanted the fork to be in form. So, It can be aesthetically pleasing.

Consider the rake--- I doubt the Nashbar has a rake of 38----

I ride the Soma fork. It is fine-- standard steel fork. Keep in mind that it is Infinity--- not Prestige.


How are their forks? I'm currently looking for a fork right now, and I was looking at this. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16879&category=704
I was also thinking about Nash Bars Carbon Fiber Fork. The only problem is that I wanted the fork to be in form. So, It can be aesthetically pleasing.

soma makes some pretty shameless knockoffs

How are their forks? I'm currently looking for a fork right now, and I was looking at this. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16879&category=704
I was also thinking about Nash Bars Carbon Fiber Fork. The only problem is that I wanted the fork to be in form. So, It can be aesthetically pleasing.

I have that exact fork. I even bought if from universal. I have no complaints. However, if you want a showroom finish chrome-job I would look elsewhere.

soma makes some pretty shameless knockoffs

Aside from their saddles, what are they knocking off? I'd be interested in some of those parts in their original form.

soma makes some pretty shameless knockoffs

says the guy who rides a leader.

soma is good stuff in my book. I've always liked the Rush frameset, and the hellyer cranks are really cool looking. I have actually seen some on a steamroller that had a really cool retro look. go for it! RD sucks the big one...

get omniums. bb and hella good cranks for 165 from bike island

I have that exact fork. I even bought if from universal. I have no complaints. However, if you want a showroom finish chrome-job I would look elsewhere. What other fork would you suggest?

says the guy who rides a leader.

says the guy with a cat as his avatar. what does a leader have to do with anything?

anyways, yeah their seats (ie. their knockoff flite, turbo and regal) but they also did a rx-1 knockoff as well as promax hub knockoffs

also never said i liked the leader so...

because leaders look like knockoff FTP's and pista concepts

I'm a knockoff all the previous humans before me. Criminy :(

I'm a knockoff all the previous humans before me. Criminy :(

As long as you're not a cheap knockoff of a cheap product, you should be OK.

What other fork would you suggest?

There's really nothing wrong with the fork itself other than some small blemishes in the chrome job (and the stickers are under the clear coat). I am sorry I wasn't more specific. I would recommend this fork for the price.

I'd rather have a cat as my avatar than a Leader. Just sayin'...

you leave junebug outta this, pyrate!

Everthing that soma has brought to the market 3 years ago is being "knocked off" by ALL CITY.

Soma does a great job, and they've taken the risk way sooner than most fixster companies have

I go to Soma when I can't find what I'm looking for from Salsa. Perfectly serviceable, acceptably soze-proof.

Everthing that soma has brought to the market 3 years ago is being "knocked off" by ALL CITY.

Soma does a great job, and they've taken the risk way sooner than most fixster companies have

pretty sure all city and soma are just buying from the same taiwanese factory and having their own logos on them

I'm looking into their Hellyer Pedals, but not sure if they're worth it. I tried looking for reviews through the search option but most of the threads went off tangent =/. Any opinions?

Aren't Hellyer pedals (as well as All City, Origin 8, etc) just rebranded Wellgo Track pedals? Why spend extra money for a name?

Aren't Hellyer pedals (as well as All City, Origin 8, etc) just rebranded Wellgo Track pedals? Why spend extra money for a name?

i can vouch for that. my all-city pedals are wellgo pedals. they even have "wellgo" etched in the pedal. the only difference i can tell is the finish.

pretty sure all city and soma are just buying from the same taiwanese factory and having their own logos on them

same with many velo orange products, and many accessories built for big bike companies...

same with many velo orange products, and many accessories built for big bike companies...

AFAIK most VO branded stuff is designed in house. The non-self-designed stuff of theirs that they sell (e.g. Tektro levers) is generally not VO branded---unlike Soma. I think their VO housing is probably a rebrand, pedals maybe, but the frenchy/ rando-y stuff they're mostly known for is not. Of course it's all knockoffs of Honjo, Berthoud, et al anyway, so perhaps your point stands.

AFAIK most VO branded stuff is designed in house. The non-self-designed stuff of theirs that they sell (e.g. Tektro levers) is generally not VO branded---unlike Soma. I think their VO housing is probably a rebrand, pedals maybe, but the frenchy/ rando-y stuff they're mostly known for is not. Of course it's all knockoffs of Honjo, Berthoud, et al anyway, so perhaps your point stands.

They may design it, but I'm sure the majority comes out of the same factory.

AFAIK most VO branded stuff is designed in house. The non-self-designed stuff of theirs that they sell (e.g. Tektro levers) is generally not VO branded---unlike Soma. I think their VO housing is probably a rebrand, pedals maybe, but the frenchy/ rando-y stuff they're mostly known for is not. Of course it's all knockoffs of Honjo, Berthoud, et al anyway, so perhaps your point stands.

not slamming them, but many companies do this... for better or worse.

The guys at VO travel to taiwan quite a lot to look at production. i know they get their stuff from there. They do design it themselves. But from taiwan. Which most things are anyway.

what VO does is way different than just rebranding things though. Their stuff is usually cheaper than the originals they are copying for very similar quality of work. Other companies put their name on OEM stuff to make it more expensive.

what VO does is way different than just rebranding things though. Their stuff is usually cheaper than the originals they are copying for very similar quality of work. Other companies put their name on OEM stuff to make it more expensive.

Exactly, Soma's levers are Tektro R200s with different silkscreening, and priced at $35 instead of $25. That's a hell of a lot different from Chris K. designing a good knock off of a boutique/ ultra high end product, and working with factories in Taiwan to produce it, more or less from scratch and for much less than the original.

Soma's toe clips are nicer, they do not have as sharp of edges on them.