Alexi

ok so i was going to buy a bare aluminum jamie roy, but i was just offered a soma rush for price so the bike either way would be the same price. Which way should I go? I'm really unfamilliar with soma.

fatpossum22

The things i like about the Soma Rush are that it is steel, it takes a 27.2mm seatpost, which tend to be a little easier to get than the 26.0mm the IRO uses, and also the Rush has a 1" headtube, meaning you can use either a threaded headset with a quill stem (need to get your fork threaded first though) or a 1" threadless headset. So basically, the Rush gives you a few more options.

Jim Bonnet

the jamie roy is aluminum and uses a 27.2 seatpost... It does not however have a 1" steerer. I highly enjoy my IRO markV. Im sure the jamie roy is great as well.

cheers-
jim

OneTinSloth

a guy who comes into my shop frequently had one of the aluminum IROs...i guess he didn't like it much. he was going to get a surly steamroller, but ended up with a soma rush instead. i guess he got a pretty good deal on it, even though he didn't get it through us (traitor ). i think he likes it better than the IRO. haven't seen him since he picked up his new wheel last week.

ashley, you out there? register and post, dammit!

oaktownash

well okay then I had the Jamie Roy, and it was a great bike. That being said, the one I had was a bit small, and the whole time I had it I would catch myself gazing lustfully at steel frames with the thin round tubing. Just my taste, I guess.
I just sold the 'Roy and bought a Rush in the last couple weeks, and it's hard to stay off of it, and when I'm off of it I keep looking at it. I'm not a huge fan of the Soma branding, but the frame is rad. The only thing that could possibly be negative is that I experience a bit more toe overlap with the Rush, and I think the max tire width is 28 on the rush vs a 35 on the roy.

fatpossum22

Didn't know the jamie roy had a 27.2 seatpost. I stand corrected.

labratmatt

I haven't owned either, but if it were me, I'd go with the Soma without a second thought. For me, there is no comparison between generic Al and nice Reynolds steel. Either one would be a great bike.

Ira in Chi

I have an '04 Soma Rush and it is great. Has all the qualities of good steel: stiff, supple, strong, and classic. It is only slightly more slack than your standard track frame, which adds to the comfort but still accelerates beautiflly. My buddy has the 03' Rush, which he messengers on. He is over 200 lbs and rough on bikes, but it has held up fine.

I agree about the branding. From their logo and website, Soma seems to be marketing their bikes to a bunch of westcoast yuppie hipsters. I never would have considered their frame had I not seen it in real life. Glad I did, though.

fixedpip

I have a SOMA and its a nice frame. Nothing too fancy about it. Forks are ok and could be better. Makes a good solid ride. I use mine on the street and on the track, and its responsive but... somehow, IMHO, the ride fails to excite me as much as other bikes I have owned. Maybe I just need to tinker with it somemore. However, apart from the paint, the bike takes abuse very well and is a great skidding machine.

SOMAs are designed by American Cyclery SF, which is why you get that rich westcoast yuppie vibe. Nevertheless its really a good thing they're doing: designing well thought out frames for niche markets that are relatively low cost. If they were a little cheaper then they would be really great, but they're made in pretty low volumes so its hard to bring the price down.

You may also want to look at the Spicer cycles cheap steel frame:
https://www.spicercycles.com/index.cg...cat_desc=Track

Price point is pretty good and Spicer has a good reputation.

Alexi

for those on a soma, do you run 165 or 170 cranks?

emayex

i asked about that spicer a while back...no response from you bums

its the best priced full frameset i've seen

i wonder if it is cheap for a reason? ie...junkiness or if it is just a really great deal

any input? (not to steal the thread)

fixedpip

I run 165s but theres no reason why 170s wouldn't work. I just like the surity of knowing that unless I'm really really pushing it that there will be no pedal strike. Plus I got a great deal on my cranks.


As for the spicer frame, I think its somewhat new (or was previously unlisted) and so no-one has one. I wouldn't expect a whole lot from it but I'm sure its a good solid ride. I've been trying to persuade my girlfriend to get one but apparently she has something against yellow bikes.

oaktownash

I also run 165's. I had 172.5's on the IRO and I feel much better about cornering at high speeds now.

gen129ss

simple solution that you know deep down is the best thing for you. Get them both. Seriously, I have a mark v that I like but I would choose the soma(steel) over the roy.

Alexi

yeah it would be nice to buy both, but I'm about to buy a kelly cyclocross which puts a dent in my money for a while.

SD Fixed

Thylacine.

pitboss

aw, shut up and build it

Alexi

shut up and build what? thats kinda thepoint here which shouldI build?

fixedpip

If they're the same price, the overall consensus here is to get the Rush. Its just hands down better than the Alu Roy frame.

Also buy some electrical tape to cover up the SOMA's graphics. They're a tad flash esp on the red Rush frame which is already screaming for attention.

OneTinSloth

i think 165 was replying to WK, who got a thylacine frame recently, and has yet to build it up and show us.