anaheim flash

due to a truck hitting me (and the driver claiming i hit HIM, sideways i suppose), i am needed info//opinions on a new commuter. i am looking for your worthy input on the soho with the belt, disc brakes, and internal hub. (NO MORE CLEANING CHAINS//DERAILUERS )

LBS is great, but does not stock bike like these. on my suggestion, ONCE, they got a giant FCR 3 and trek 7.3 in, but not sure they would go for one of these just so i can kick some tires, so if you have seen//ridden//kicked tires on one, sing out and tell me about it.

HeyitsDave

I really like that bike.I chickened out and got something not so revolutionary.Thought they would have it at 2 wheeler dealer.......nope.

cooleric1234

Just FYI, it doesn't have disc brakes, they are roller brakes. That was kind of a deterrent for me. I've read the next model up roller brakes are good, but the model on the soho tends to overheat. They are shielded from the elements, which is nice, but Sheldon Brown also says a front roller brake is just unnecessarily heavy.

What you're really looking for is probably the Giant Seek 1.

CCrew

The Soho and District were debated here in a rather long thread, should be able to find it by searching Soho. I think the general consensus was that it was a novel idea, new to bikes but long proven with motorcycles and that while a lot thought it was neat, none wanted to be the first on the block to try it.

Barring all the bluster and noise, we're a somewhat conservative lot here when it comes to our commuters, and tend to stick with what's proven since we depend on them for regular transportation.

anaheim flash

roller brakes????
wtf are those?

jbabic

Seriously - you have to learn how to use Google searches. Searching the 'net I learned a great deal about them. I found Sheldon's advice on using roller brakes very useful when I configured my current commuter. I use roller brakes on the rear for their durability and the Avid BB7 up front for it's stopping power.


Get the Soho and be the first on this block to report on it. If it doesn't work out for you put it up for sale on Craigslist or on this website. Then you can relish the memories of being such a pioneer in your field. Just think of all the glamour and prestige...

anaheim flash

glamour
prestige
cash
chicks

oh yeah, i can see it now.
and, using google i found some opinions of someone named sheldon brown, and other opinions that seem to find roller brakes a great thing on the commute, so i can only shrug and wonder. see, at the moment i am fighting with the brakes on the rear of my bike. they are name brand and very good.....when they are working correctly. it means walking to work in the middle of the night rather than riding, which is what i bought it for. a definate impact on my mood and travel time, to say the least.

K6-III

The Trek Soho looks like a nice option, but I'd definitely check out the Swobo Dixon as well if I were you.

Hot Potato

I just went through this. No Soho's in town to try. In the end, I decided on the superior reputation of hydraulic disc brakes found on the Seek1. The seek1 has enough room to run Nokian 240 studs and fenders, which is the only way I have ridden it so far. After April 15 I will take the studs off and trial it with road tires, something I am looking forward to. It is a good winter package. I intend to use it as a foul weather commuter in the summer after putting on road tires, because so far the hydraulic discs are awesome.

I thought roller brakes were criticized for being under-powered in the front, yet adequate in the rear. I was tempted for a while to convert/build a bike into a roller brake Alfine rear and a new front fork with hydraulic brake, but then decided it was much easier to buy the Seek1. I can not yet say anything about the so called "rust proof" chain on the Seek1, but I am skeptical. The seek uses an eccentric bottom bracket to get chain tension instead of horizontal drop outs. No quick release on the rear wheel, so you need a wrench in case of a flat. LBS told me to just let the alfine dangle loose if I get a flat rather than disconnect it. I haven't yet sought out different opinions of flat changes with a rear IGH.

If you do get to try the Soho or buy one, please tell all.

Sirrus Rider

I don't think you'll go wrong with that SEEK 1. It looks like one hot ride..

gholland

I too am in the market and considering the Soho and the Seek1. In truth, both are a bit over-kill for me, but what the heck, I like them.

I am curious though. If I find that I don't commute as much as I intend (very possible), is it hard to swap out the stem and throw on some north road handlebars? Or would I only be swimming upstream fighting the frame geometry? I also have a Brooks B-66 saddle I might add. I like the stock set-ups, but want to be able to turn it into a more upright ride "dutch" bike should I feel like it. Any help is appreciated.

bjoerges

Availability on the 09 Soho has been pushed back to June. Supposedly there have been some problems with the belts working their way off of the drive pulleys and Trek is still fixing the issue before shipping to dealers. It has been pushed back about 4 times now and I'm getting skeptical about them ever being released.

That said, I have the 07 soho (1x9 SRAM X.9 with BB7 discs) and it is a great geometry that they kept for 08 and 09. See if you can find a dealer with an 08 Soho 4.0 (internal hub) or Soho 3.0 (Deore RD)

cynyc2

The '09 Soho 3.0 has a SRAM X7 RD, X5 FD, and X7 shifters, along with the BB-7 disc brakes front and rear.

charlysays

Guys, got a Trek Soho 2009 on Monday, not done many miles yet but here goes my story/review.
I'm into going to the gym and running, 40yrs of age and do lots of walking in my new job (5hrs a day) . I also walk to work every day and this takes me approx 20min. Unfortunately my heal/tendon on my left foot has been giving me some pain and I have been unable to do any running thus getting a wee fat belly that I have never had before. So to remedy this I decided I would get a bike and use it not only to commute to work all weather but to use it to keep fit on the many cycle paths around Paisley where I stay. I was looking at spending £400-£500 on a bike but unfortunately I saw the Trek Soho in my local bike shop window. (Dooley's Paisley) I then started looking for Reviews etc and the more I looked and read up on the bike I wanted it. So Down I went on Monday of this week, tried the one they had in stock for size etc and 2 hrs later I was off and running. The Bike fitted all my criteria, all weather bike, tough, plain but ok looking, (Lots of Junkie Bike Thieves in Pailsey) nothing to maintain as everything is internal, gears, brakes etc. Oh and lets not forget the belt drive!!!
So what can I say about it? Well my first Cycle was 20 miles on a cycle track and went well apart from being unable to sit down for 2 days afterwards and having Jelly tired legs for a couple of days. I had to adjust the tyre pressures when not on cycle paths though as Paisley roads are terrible, so let a little air out. The Belt and gears are fantastic for what I need, gears change well and the belt is silent.... Very Eary :-) As for the Brakes, the back seems to work better than the front and will lock up if the lever is pulled hard enough. The front however is very responsive, grips well but feels like it will never lock up. (Not that I'd want it to) I did a downhill test on just the front tonight, got up to 30mph in 8th (not something I'd do very often) then pulled it on hard. Initial Bite was good and I stopped well but not as good as I imagined I could, absolutely no way you can lock the front. When using front and back though I stopped really quick so I amnot that bothered as they are very consistent even in the rain so I'm happy enough with them for now. Will get my bike shop to check the front brakes out when I take it in for it's first service though.
I would highly recomend this bike to anyone as it does what it was designed to do brilliantly, my friends can't believe I have bought such a plain looking bike with mudguards...Old mans bike they call it but that's what I like about it. Very low key yet very well specced for a city/hybrid. If I was to give it marks out of 10 I would give it a 9. I may update this to a 10 if I get my front brakes to work a wee bit better though, if I don't I'm not too bothered as it's a brilliant bike in every other way. Hope this was helpful.... Charly.

melkman

The brakes are the reason I didn't get the Soho. They seemed to work fine but its another cable to disconnect when changing tubes. If it had disc brakes i would of got it. I did get the Giant Seek 1 instead.

melkman

I feel so dumb now. Couple days ago I had to fix a flat. Took me forever to reconnect the IGH (I'm sure I could do it pretty fast now that I've done it once) but it never occurred to me to leave it on and take the tube off the other side.

charlysays

Nice looking bike mate, as for cables never really been bothered by them (Hopefully lol). What I need now though is to mount some Paniers and being a noob don't know where to start. Other than looking for light, waterproof paniers, reasonably priced and a good but cheap rack. Looking for joined rather than 2 singles. Anyone point me in the right direction???

rowedave76

2 singles works well, especially if you only have enough stuff that you only need 1 pannier. Look at some of the water proof Axiom stuff, they aren't as expensive as some of the other stuff. I think I got a pair on ebay for a good price.

mconlonx

I've built four or five of them now (two more to go). We've sold two or three so far.

Loves: color matched metal (METAL!!!) fenders, 8sp IGH, roller brakes
Meh: roller brakes, saddle, handlebar, belt-guard, coffee cup, belt drive
Hates: color, rubber bumpers, front fork brake cable stop braze on, lack of rack

I had a bike with rear roller brake and didn't mind it at all. That bike had a front mech disk that sucked worse, until I swapped out the caliper with a shimano unit. The older front roller was supposed to be designed not to be too aggressive--as a "comfort" type of group, it was seen as a bonus that people wouldn't have to fear flipping over the bars. Or some such. The new version is supposed to be better, but I don't know if that's the version on the Soho. After a test ride or two, I'd say the brakes are more than adequate--responsive, progressive, and strong. Not long enough downhills to comment about heating, but my old brake didn't have cooling fins, these new ones do.

Belt drive, cleanliness is supposed to be one of the main reasons for being... so why the belt guard? Toss that and the silly coffee cup and give me a rack, please.

The fork braze on for the brake cable stop/torque arm capture is a bit flimsy.

It rides like any other similar Trek bike, like the FX series, or the rest of the urban bikes. The carbon drive is cool, but you don't see it or feel it while you're riding. You better like the gear ratios, too, because you can't just swap out cogs -- no other chainring options, only a smaller rear cog option if you want to gear it up a couple teeth.

All that said, I'd get it in a heartbeat, except I built up a bike better suited to me last year, before it was released.

charlysays

First day commuting to work today om my Bike, got to say was brilliant. Not so sure it will be as good come the winter but hey, lets wait and see :-)

soho2009

mconlonx,

Have you run into rear sprocket noise? I've had my Trek soho to the lbs twice now for adjustment and still have a noisy rear sprocket. Its the lbs's only belt drive right now, so I'm the guinea pig (and knowingly, so not complaining)

We've done the loosening of the belt and really cant go any looser without slippage plus pretty much the dropout is about as far back as it will go.

Soho with interchange rack, interchange deluxe top pack, and grocery bag panniers, spd pedals.

Positives (so far, about 260-280 miles, rain, dry, 80% road, 10% gravel, some mud, grass)

Smooth as silk drive train
Tires - (cant believe it, but these stock tires are impressive, knock on wood, no flats)
Finish is really nice, seems like females like the color better than males.
Alfine is very responsive takes upshift and downshift under load very well.
Fenders, while heavy, work.
Turning/Response is excellent.
Rims


Negatives

Rear Sprocket noise (obviously big big issue)
Handle ends - Unless they got the handle ends for free, they, and I paid too much. Little or no padding, moved 360 degrees on day 2.
That Stupid Cup (TSC)-- Pleeeese

Jury Still Out

Seat -- Figured I woud replace on Day 2. But after each ride, I ponder, and keep it. My Fizik Gobi is calling to me, but for some reason, I want to give this seat an honest run.

Brakes -- Yes, they are not disc brakes. Yes, I am not constantly adjusting them. Not even once. Not ever. Not yet.

mconlonx

Nope, never run into rear sprocket noise, not on the sohos I've tested, nor the Districts. The belt should actually be under pretty high tension--there's a special tension measuring tool for this called the Krikit, from Gates, available through Trek. For noise like you're describing, first thing I'd check would be that tension adjusters are even on both sides of the bike.

Otherwise, it could be the hub. The Soho I just rode has a completely silent hub, but my own couple-year-old Nexus 8 Premium makes a few different noises depending on what gear it's in.

soho2009

While it could be the hub, both the mechanic/owner and I put our ears about the issue and are about 90+ percent sure its the rear sprocket. Course its my first nexus 8 and his, too in his shop so we are not going to say its not.

Thanks for the response and Ill keep you informed as we figure this one out. We do not have a kriket and used the guess whats 5-10 lbs of pressure finger method to see if the belt was too tight or too loose. Personally, I dont know why Trek didnt provide that tension tester with the first bike shipped to each lbs.

The belt "seemed" to be correct on the original tension setting. 1/2 inch deflection on 5-10 lbs of load. Now with the looser setting it seems like 1 inch deflection. I did notice on the looser setting that the was a very slight smoother feeling to pedaling. But very very slight with no change in rpm's on my part that I can tell.

Regards,

charlysays

Mine is silent as well, only problems I have had so far is after a few miles I noticed it was not changing cleanly but having read up on adjustment I just put it in 4th gear and adjusted the cable so that the two yellow markers lined up on the rear hub and it has been fine since. I can only assume it went out of line from new with use. Was only out by a fraction though and I have had no problems since.
Still in love with this bike I have to say, looking at Lights and Panniers that don't cost the earth so keep throwing in your suggestions.

soho2009

The shift adjustment was pretty neat. Took me 20 seconds to zero it in.

Ive now had the bike in again to the lbs and the noise issue is still not resolved. Its going on 3 weeks and Im starting to get annoyed and thinking of delaying the credit card payment. This really should be a no brainer.

The email to Trek was returned with the owners manual attached and the response of "read the manual". Thanks Trek.

The guys at Gates carbon drive have been responsive so I sent them video and pics and hope they can figure out what we are doing wrong. I think/hope its alignment issue but every time we realign it stays noisy.

Meanwhile I ripped it apart this morning, put it back to together, once by myself, and once with the lbs mechanic, with no improvement. Really getting to know the system.

Are all your bikes from the medium production run? It would have been the first run. Mine is the next size up -- 22" I think.

On another note, I was "happy" to have my first flat. Bad timing with me missing dinner, but it was my own fault to some extent. Hit a curb, while extending over the curb, with the rear tire a bit too hard. It was head on 90 degrees and the tube blew out. Two big slits, me without a 15 mm wrench, but I had a spare tube, lol.

Took me forever to find the slits, had to pull out the whole tube out, cause it was 300 degrees from where I started looking. (split tubes dont hold air so it makes it pretty tough to find. I think the locals thought I had rabies with the spit drool sprayed all over the tube in search of a leak.)

I kept eyeing the spare, trying to make a 15 mm wrench come out of thin air, until I found the slits and double patched them. A kind female saw finishing up the tire work and offered me some sort of Sobe drink. That would have meant 15 minute conversation, so I politely declined and took off to get yelled at for missing dinner.