I did the required search and didn't find much about Somas. Anyone ride a Smoothie or Smoothie ES? I've been looking at steel bikes the Soma seems to be one heck of a deal, I've seen the Double Cross in person and the welds are SMOOTH! Very nice looking bike.
Anyone?
Chris

(posted in Road forum also)

I've been wondering about the Double Cross. Anyone know what a ballpark figure would be to build it up with inexpensive (say Tiagra) level components? The frame + fork is $450 or so.

The Double Cross would be really attractive if the disc version of the frame had been released.

I posted this in the road forum too, but thought my comments might elicit a response from other commuters...

I have test ridden one. It was a great frame and I wanted it BAD. It was beautiful to the eye and smooth on the ride. They had built it up with Mirage, which took it out of my price range for a commuter though.

At that same shop, I rode a Jake, A LHT, and the Soma, and I liked the Soma best, but I was worried that it was the higher end wheels/components and not the frame.

Give these guys a call: https://www.westcountyrevolution.com/ they have a black one built up on the floor, not sure if it's for sale or a customer. BTW- I thought the disc version was supposed to be released anytime...

I built up a Smoothie ES with my LBS (who are fantastic) this spring. I cannot get off the bike now. Before buying it, I test rode a Casserole (awesome but out of my price range), several Surly bikes, and two Soma bikes (one a Smoothie one not). I found the Soma bikes very, well, smooth even with inferior components, and very, very responsive. It's very "zippy," nimble, and takes the knocks. I have some very rough roadway to cover and some curbs and the bike just about floats over all of it. I did put on Velo components and some good rims but would have done so on any bike since I ride all the time. It takes fenders, heavy loads, rack and still looks good. Don't regret my decision in the least. In the end, it was only about $200 more than if I had bought the stock Surly Cross-Check. But my LBS was awesome to work with and continued to be helpful with minor adjustments here and there during the break in period. I wouldn't have built it myself, that would have been much more expensive. But all in all, it's been a great commuter for me and it should be for years to come.

thanks for the review Catgrrl! Any cons to the bike so far?
Chris

Cost aside, what's your take on the Smoothie ES vs the Casseroll?

The smoothie has the extra-huge sizes, which would be a plus, but something about the Casserole (minus the paint) is calling to me.

smoothie ES is a fantastic riding bike. I've got one with the steel IRD fork, built it up for myself Christmas Eve 2006. (the frame was a mispaint, decals say its a regular smoothie but its the ES underneath....)

maybe its the way I've got it set up but it rides slack and relaxed. THe only thing I don't like is the frame uses a binder bolt for the seatpost, and not a separate seat collar ....not fond of that style.

I think mine came around 1300 or so w/o wheels but I put rival groupset, ck headset and ritchey pro everywhere else. I am not sure though I had a bunch mechanics happen to my other bike while this was being built and the shop started a tab for me. I have had mine for a couple of months so far and could not be happier really a great ride was a little worried about the steel fork not being vibration dampening as carbon, now glad I went with it.

I have an older Smoothie with the Reynolds 853 tubing (Red). I bought it used on craigslist a couple months ago. It's set up with a Weyless carbon fork, Ultegra hubs, Mavic CXP12 rims, Sram esp rear D, Ultegra front D, with Sram 9.0 grip shifters (18spd). It did have On One Mary bars on it, but I switched to a flat bar with bar ends for more hand positions. I'd love to go to drops when my budget allows for it.

It's my first road bike, and first one I've ever ridden long distances on, so I can't compare anything. It handles the rough city streets, smooth pavement, and is very responsive without being "twitchy".

1. Things I don't like? None so far. I ended up putting on a Soma road tire on the rear b/c I had so many flats early on. The Soma road tire = no flats. I couldn't get the blue bike b/c it was on a months long waiting list, but the silver is still very nice. I actually like the seat bolt set up, find it easy and very stable.

2. Casserole/Soma. Even though the Casserole is very cool, it was a little to "fancy" for me. I wanted something plain jane to build up. And the Casserole was very nice on the smooth straights, but I didn't feel quite as comfy executing sharp turns and going up hills (ergos were different in other words - just wasn't as 'at home' on it).

FWIW, the Salsa Casseroll and the Soma Smoothie cost virtually the same amount of money for a frame AND fork. I don't understand how someone could not afford a Casseroll but could afford a Smoothie. Both are nice frames for the money, the differences mainly due to geometry.

The Smoothie ES frame retails for $375 plus $120 for a steel fork or $220 for a carbon fork (or $495 to $595 total). The Smoothie frame retails for $385, with same costs for fork options. In contrast, a Casseroll retails for about $550 including the frame, fork and seatpost clamp.

I've got a Smoothie ES with a Surly fork that I commute on every day. Generally a really nice bike, but for reasons hard to describe, the ride is not among my favorites. It's lightweight steel (Tange prestige tubes) so it's quite feathery, but on the other hand the frame is missing the solid feeling I love in other steel rides. I guess I'd say it feels a bit noodly -- some of this may be due to the thin tube design all the way down to the bottom bracket and the straight-line stay tubes? Or maybe my other cheap components? Anyway, it's a really pretty bike with a very classic look -- only a subtly sloping top tube -- and good for getting a pretty upright position due to the extended head tube.

I got a better deal b/c my LBS helped me out and I got a very, very good deal for a fully custom built bike; the retailer who carried the Cass. was not so obliging.