MileHighMark

I’m considering SOMA’s Saga for a commuter. My route is 25 miles round-trip, has one “granny ring” climb (with some rollers), and the road conditions vary from “poor” to “good” (purely subjective, I know). I want something that can handle 32-35c tires, fenders, and a rear rack. I need a fairly upright riding position (top of drop bars slightly higher than saddle), and the bike shouldn’t require tons of attention to hold a line, etc.

This would also double as my “fun” on-road bike which might see the occasional dirt road/trail (my full-sus Trek would handle the rocky/technical stuff). FWIW, I’m 5’11”, and just over 200 pounds. I’d be setting up with a triple (26/36/46, 11-30 or 32) and drop bars.

Comments/suggestions are appreciated.

jabberwocky

I have a recently built Saga that I've been using as a commuter (I built it for some touring later in the year, but I'm using it as a commuter for now just to check things out and make sure I'm happy with the build). Mine is a 50cm (I'm 65.5" tall) so it has 26" wheels. Similar gearing to what you're thinking about: XT 26/36/48 cranks and an 11-32 cassette. I'm running 1.6" Marathon Supremes (which actually measure at around 37mm). For info, my other road bikes are a Milwaukee Orange one fixie, a Lotus Legend fixie and a Lemond Poprad cyclocross bike.

The Saga is significantly more upright than my other bikes. Its very comfortable. Its very stable at speed; on descents where my other bikes start feeling nervous and twitchy, the Saga feels like I could take my hands off the bars and play gameboy games. It has a "plow-a-licious" feeling that reminds me of my downhill mtb. I'm sure thats the long wheelbase and comparatively heavier wheels/tires.

Its very slow. I don't know how much is the un-aero seating position, how much is the rolling resistance of the tires and how much is the sheer weight of the bike, but its significantly slower on my commute than my other bikes (costs me ~5 minutes over 12 miles). No biggie on a commute, but I really wouldn't want to show up to a group road ride on it.

As for the frame itself, mine built very easily and had every braze-on known to man. You shouldn't have any trouble mounting racks and fenders. The 26" version has copious tire clearance (I stuck my DJ wheels, 2.4" Holy Rollers on EX729 rims in there and they cleared just fine). Dunno about the 700c version.

MileHighMark

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any pics of your built-up Saga?

jabberwocky

No problem. I posted one pic in this thread in the touring forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oma-Saga-build There are several other people posting nice builds there as well. I do have some better pics I'd be happy to post when I get home tonite if you like.

ocho

The Saga was on my list to build right after I picked up my most recent purchase. Now, I'm not so sure. I still think its a great frame and will make one of the best touring bikes available but this new bike i think can do all the Saga could or can and more.

I bought a Salsa Fargo, full XT drivetrain including the trekking crankset so while it has the MTB hill climbing cassette in back, its got a trekking 48/36/26 chainring up front. Uses cross style drop bars which work very well and when set up, the bars are slightly above the saddle. I admit to having a only a small amount of time on it as its crappy weather wise here in the midwest but I have dressed up and taken it for a few 4-5 mile rides to bed the brakes and so forth. The fit, finish and build quality of the bike rivals customs I have seen and the bike fits me better than anything I own.

With the fast rolling 29's, the nice heavier build, top components and it being capable of mounting any rack front or back, fenders and can sport 5 water bottle mounts I'd take this thing anywhere. Almost. Its plenty capable of riding semi gnarly singletrack but its not going to replace a well set up MTB when it gets real rough.

tarwheel 

I bought a touring frame last winter to use for commuting and occasional touring. I ordered a Bob Jackson World Tour from England, but probably would have bought a Saga had they been available then. For my purposes, the geometry and design would be ideal. FWIW, I am close to your height and weight, and my commute is about 22 miles roundtrip on hilly terrain.

I have no regrets about getting a touring bike for commuting. I had commuted for two years on a racing bike, and although it was faster, it was difficult carrying gear and the largest tires I could run were 25 mm. You will be slower on a touring bike, but the advantages make it worthwhile. First, you can easily install fenders and racks. You can carry gear more easily and comfortably. It's easier to set up for riding in a more upright position suitable for commuting.

I am slower on my touring bike, but that's mainly because I've added more gear - fenders, racks, larger tires. If you resist the urge to pile on too much gear, you can keep the weight reasonable and not pay too much of a penalty. My Jackson weighed about 22 lbs when first built up with pedals, front rack, computer, bottle cages but no fenders. I was able to complete several long group rides at 18+ mph paces with it equipped like that. With a loaded seatbag, fenders and rear rack, it weighs closer to 30 lbs., and my average speed commuting is usually in the 14-15 mph range.

I can live with the lower speed commuting because my goals are different for that. However, commuting 3-4 days/week keeps me in great shape so that I have no trouble doing faster group rides on the weekends using my racing bikes.

MileHighMark

Bingo. This is the main reason I want to commute. I figure I can get some "free miles" during the week, and those will allow me to go harder/faster (off-road) on the weekends.

martianone

If you don't want to go with quite as "heavy" of a frame as the Saga,
consider a Smoothie ES ?
Built up one last fall with handlebar above seat, 32 mm tires and lower gearing - 11-34 cassette with 26 & 40 chain rings for a commute and some light touring in hilly areas. Just a few hundred km so far, bike is a very nice balance of comfort and responsiveness.

tarwheel 

Also check out the Salsa Casseroll. It will handle tires up to 35 mm, 32 with fenders. Has mounts for rear rack and front/rear fenders. Compact geometry allowing for more upright position, plus taller head tube than most frames. Costs and weighs about the same as Soma frames.

Rhodabike

Check out the Surly Pacer as well. I saw one built up with fenders and a triple at a local bike shop and there appeared to be plenty of room for fatter tires (they put on 28c). The Masi Randoneur could also be a good commuter.

Barrettscv 

My commuter is the Soma Double Cross;