I've been commuting on a Soma Saga for about three months and I'm loving it. I'm on a 54 (26" wheels) with a 3 x 10 drivetrain and drop bars. I was on a Volpe for the last 3 years and the improvements I'm seeing for commuting include:

1. More upright riding position.

2. Lower bottom bracket makes it easier to stay on the seat and balance on a tiptoe at red lights.

3. I'm loving the vertical dropouts. Much easier to get the rear wheel in and out and I can use hex skewers instead of QR skewers for a bit of security.

4 The Saga is my first bike equipped with cantilever brakes which have never made any noise. What a pleasure not having to p1ss about with toe-in, brake boosters, etc.