Pake, Surly Steamroller or Soma Rush
#1
Get on your bikes & ride!
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lextown
Posts: 1,069
Bikes: See signature (it varys day to day)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Pake, Surly Steamroller or Soma Rush
Which one should I go with? I'm going to build up my first fixie and have narrowed it down to these 3. The Pake seems to be the best value, but am I missing something? The Rush is sweet with it's higher end steel, but at a price premium. The Steamroller is right in the middle price wise and has a little more relaxed geometry. I'd mainly be using it to commute 8 miles each way to work. What do you think?
#2
King Among Runaways
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MKE
Posts: 4,215
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista, Cannondale Track, Soma Pake, Schwinn Breeze
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Go with the nicer frame, Soma Rush.
__________________
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
#3
Me talk pretty one day.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,073
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Welcome to the forums. All these bikes have been discussed time and time again. If you check the search feature (up at the top) you can read people opinions on each frame. Good luck w/ your search.
That being said, my commuter is a Pake. It's cheap, fun to ride and heavy. If you're just looking for a daily ride skip the Rush, save the bigger bucks for your NEXT fixed gear bike. The Steamroller is also a decent frame ... it might be easier for you to get your hands on since Surly is owned by QBP, a supplier that almost every bike shop deals with.
That being said, my commuter is a Pake. It's cheap, fun to ride and heavy. If you're just looking for a daily ride skip the Rush, save the bigger bucks for your NEXT fixed gear bike. The Steamroller is also a decent frame ... it might be easier for you to get your hands on since Surly is owned by QBP, a supplier that almost every bike shop deals with.
#4
King Among Runaways
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MKE
Posts: 4,215
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista, Cannondale Track, Soma Pake, Schwinn Breeze
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Search is disabled.
And, for what it's worth, I don't love my Pake.
And, for what it's worth, I don't love my Pake.
__________________
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
#5
Get on your bikes & ride!
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lextown
Posts: 1,069
Bikes: See signature (it varys day to day)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by hyperRevue
Go with the nicer frame, Soma Rush.
#6
King Among Runaways
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MKE
Posts: 4,215
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista, Cannondale Track, Soma Pake, Schwinn Breeze
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's hard to say.
I don't particularly like the ride of the Pake, kinda heavy and clunky.
At the same time, it's stuck behind two other, and nicer, bikes in my rotation.
I was looking at the Rush before I decided on the Pake as a nice "back up" bike.
It's hard to say whether or not the Rush would be ridden very often if I had gone that route.
I don't particularly like the ride of the Pake, kinda heavy and clunky.
At the same time, it's stuck behind two other, and nicer, bikes in my rotation.
I was looking at the Rush before I decided on the Pake as a nice "back up" bike.
It's hard to say whether or not the Rush would be ridden very often if I had gone that route.
__________________
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
#7
Get on your bikes & ride!
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lextown
Posts: 1,069
Bikes: See signature (it varys day to day)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Sorry about the search thing. I have done some reading here on all three separately, but thought I would get a fresh look from a thread talking about all three together...
#11
Me talk pretty one day.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,073
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by xB_Nutt
...oh and thanks for the quick feedback.
#12
wild like children.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: huntington beach CA
Posts: 113
Bikes: pake track bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just started riding a new pake 3 weeks ago, I was upgrading from a miyata 210 conversion. My initial impressions on the pake: nearly no wight difference between my conversion and the pake maybe the pake frame is 1/2pound lighter, having a higer bottom bracket is a huge improvement, the frame is suprisingly stiff, that's where i noticed the biggest change from the conversion.
All that said the pake is just a place holder till i can scrape enough cash together for a bareknuckle.
All that said the pake is just a place holder till i can scrape enough cash together for a bareknuckle.
#13
(((Fully Awake)))
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ~Serenading with sensous soliloquies whilst singing supple sentences that are simultaneously suppling my sonnets with serenity serendipitously.~ -Serendipper
Posts: 5,589
Bikes: Guerciotti Pista-Giant Carbon-Bridgestone300- Batavus Type Champion Road Bike, Specialized Hardrock Commuter, On-One The Gimp (SS Rigid MTB/hit by a truck)- Raleigh Sports 3-speed,Gatsby Scorcher, comming soon...The Penny Farthing Highwheel!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's a question you don't hear everyday....
Soma.
Soma.
#14
Geek Extraordinaire
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,769
Bikes: Bianchi Advantage Fixed Conversion; Specialized Stumpjumper FS Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would go with the steamroller. The relaxed geometry will make for a more comfortable commute. especially if its 8 miles each way.
__________________
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
Sintesi Conversion Serotta Track
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
Sintesi Conversion Serotta Track
#15
jack of one or two trades
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Suburbia, CT
Posts: 5,640
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by sivat
I would go with the steamroller. The relaxed geometry will make for a more comfortable commute. especially if its 8 miles each way.
#16
.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,763
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
13 Posts
The trouble with the Search function is old threads get resurrected and old wounds get fresh salt.
Who wants the Natty Fab thread back?
Who wants the Natty Fab thread back?
__________________
#18
如果你能讀了這個你講中文
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New York
Posts: 3,542
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My soma is great. If I had two fixed gear bikes, I'd perhaps have an steamroller and a fancy track bike, but a soma is perfect for having only one fixed bike. Geometry good and tight, but not stupid tight. Nice and nimble but not crumply and I don't get scared for it.
I wouldn't get the pake. If you want something heavy, you may as well get something that can take fenders and 32s that can be taken off-road.
I wouldn't get the pake. If you want something heavy, you may as well get something that can take fenders and 32s that can be taken off-road.
#19
Senior Member
Here's another happy soma rider. I ride mine every day. I can't really compare it to the Steam roller or the Pake since I haven't ridden them.
As for the geometry. I think it feels great on the street, responsive, stiff light, it begs to be sprinted at the slightest provocation, and turns teleptthically. I buzz through a tight traffic circle almost every day, and the Rush with 170 cranks is the only bike that I have never struck a pedal in that circle. Conversly it could be considered whippy. If you want a stable ride, you want to be able to load up a rack, or some panniers, the steamroller might be a better choice for commuting.
As for the geometry. I think it feels great on the street, responsive, stiff light, it begs to be sprinted at the slightest provocation, and turns teleptthically. I buzz through a tight traffic circle almost every day, and the Rush with 170 cranks is the only bike that I have never struck a pedal in that circle. Conversly it could be considered whippy. If you want a stable ride, you want to be able to load up a rack, or some panniers, the steamroller might be a better choice for commuting.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 389
Bikes: Pake fixie. Klein Reve (for sale, https://www.theveer.net/gordons_klein)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If the bike will spend the day outside on a rack, get a Pake. There's less worry about putting mongo chains and U-locks on straight gauge CroMo, a few stratches and rust specks won't spoil it, and you won't be devastated if someone nabs it (although I would be devastated if someone took mine). Performance is fine, and then some. My exercise loop is 30 miles, and Pake is more than up to it. OTOH, if you have a safe, sheltered stash at work, wedge out for one of the pretty bikes.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,760
Bikes: Steelman eurocross, Surly CrossCheck, IRO Rob Roy...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You might also look at the Surly CrossCheck. I had mine since 99 and it's been built as a... Mountain bike, road bike, fixed/ss, cross racing bike, ride to Santa Cruz bike, ride ALL over the city every day bike.
Because of my Surly I'm down to only two built bikes (my other bike is a Bontrager road bike built with retro campy record. It's my "you think your bike is pimp/kick your butt in a crit" bike).
I keep my surly built as a cross bike. Makes switching from road to MTB to cross easy. I can swap the rear wheel and the chain and go fixed/ free in under an hour with prep and beer time.
All that said... you can't go wrong with either bikes. I think I would build the SOMA.
Because of my Surly I'm down to only two built bikes (my other bike is a Bontrager road bike built with retro campy record. It's my "you think your bike is pimp/kick your butt in a crit" bike).
I keep my surly built as a cross bike. Makes switching from road to MTB to cross easy. I can swap the rear wheel and the chain and go fixed/ free in under an hour with prep and beer time.
All that said... you can't go wrong with either bikes. I think I would build the SOMA.