Originally Posted by
kaliayev
I have a Smoothie ES and really like it.
I guess it's now a moot point, but I absolutely love mine. I got the frame a few years ago (almost new) in a seriously sweet deal: frame, IRD C/F fork, & King headset, from a friend & LBS owner for a mere $300.
I've since built it up as an HG 3 x 8 w/ 105 & Ultegra (55/6500), restored RSX 8sp shifters (enduring thanks & a shout out to Jim McVey!), a 105-hubbed/ DT-rimmed wheelset, Thompson seatpost, Nitto M-186 ergo drops, and my favorite beat-up, perfectly worn-in, Fizik Arione saddle; I've got it set up as an excellent hill climber and I plan on riding it in this year's Tour de Blast.
The Prestige tubeset gives a lively ride, and it's always performed beautifully in multiple roles- as a quick commuter, rain bike, stand-in (with a rack fitted) for my tourer, as a straight-up sport bike when I've needed to work on my LeMond. It hasn't failed me even once in three years.
Originally Posted by
RobbieTunes
Closer would be the Stanyan... They are simply different bikes.
The Soma Stanyan is comparable to a Centurion Semi Pro from the early 80's.
The Soma Smoothie could roughly be compared to an Elite RS or a later Lemans RS, framewise.
I'm sure it's easier to find the newer frames, and I really like the Stanyan.
Agreed- the Stanyans are excellent bikes... But I'd say the Smoothie is more comparable still to the Bianchi Volpe than the Lemans RS.