Commodus

Hi mates, really excited about my new build. Had some spare cash unexpectedly, picked up the last bits I needed. It's an Ultegra groupset on a Soma Smoothie ES rolling on Mavic Ksyrium Equipes, FSA cockpit.

I have a Kona Sutra as my grocery getter/hauler/tourer, I wanted something a little lighter and more sporting.

Building it up right now, post some completed photos when I'm done! Probably tomorrow...



Got the frame and fork used for $200. Not the greatest deal in the world, but it was in good shape and exactly what I wanted, in my size, so I was happy to pay it.



Won't be using those brakes, of course, or that seatpost. Probably chuck 'em up on CL to recoup some cash. Already had the right size seatpost and some long-reach brakes in the parts bin.



I've never used such fancy, low spoke count wheels before, but I'm sure they'll hold up fine.



New pedals...first time since '96 I've had new pedals. Some Time ATACs came on a bike I bought that year and they just haven't stopped since. I figure, why mess with a good thing? Oh, and a little lubrication to help the build along...

irclean

Very nice! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

dods1600

I've got the same wheels on a similar build and I havn't had any problems in the 1500km I've used them... This should be a really nice ride when it's all done.

Commodus

And here she is:



Gotta clean up the rear shifter cable housing (too long), rear brake housing (too short...I think) and still finalizing the fit...though it's very close now. Took it out for a bit of a spin tonight - had to dodge the ice patches! This is my first ever bike with brifters, and my first actual bare frame build, so I'm happy it shifts and brakes beautifully. Also I'm happy to note that those teeny Vittoria slicks have a much better ride quality than I feared.

Visually, I'm a bit shocked. I didn't really have high hopes for this "ice grey" colour on the Ultegra stuff, but combined with the black bits, the silver on the frame and the white on the seat and tape it really makes for a very pretty bicycle, in a monochromatic kind of way. The pic doesn't really capture the way the components gleam...too bad the Ultegra brakeset won't work with the fatter tires I will eventually be running and fenders, but the silver Tektro long-reach brakes look and work fine. Definitely not as nice as the Shimano units though.

I'm really more of a fan of bright colours, but I'm diggin this.

Picked up some nice SKS fenders on the way home, those are on next - in silver of course! I don't think I'll put a rack on this one. When I have to carry a bunch of stuff on my commute, I'll just take the Sutra. Keep this one nice and light, probably just with a handlebar bag to carry my lunch.

Thanks for reading!

FKMTB07

Nice looking bike!

I built a Soma ES for my girlfriend (hers with Ultegra 6500 / Dura-Ace 7700 9-speed mix) over the summer and I've been riding a Smoothie Race (Dura-Ace 7800 10-speed) for a few years now for training and group rides on the road.

I think you'll dig the wheels -- Ksyriums tend to be very durable and most shops have spare spokes if you do pop one here and there.

Ice Gray Ultegra SL was a good group. I had a 1x9 SL setup on my 'cross racing bike I really liked.

I think black fenders would look better on that bike.

I agree, your rear brake cable housing looks a touch short where it goes by the seat tube.

Oh, and the best thing about Time Atac pedals? They work wonderfully as a bottle openers.

You'll love that bike for sure.

Alan@TreeFort

Commodus, that is an awesome build! I absolutely love it - light and fast, but practical enough for commuting and city riding. I think it looks great, I am partial to more subdued color schemes and really love the way it looks. How is the ride? I expect with that frame and fork it is super comfortable.

KFMTB07, what is your take on the Smoothie race? I have been toying with the idea for a long time to switch out my much old ridden-to-death Gaint aluminum frame.

FKMTB07

I love my Smoothie. I run mine with the matching pearl white Tange fork available from Soma. I had a cheap Nashbar carbon fork on it before, and while lighter, I like the feel of the steel fork better. The geometry is a fairly aggressive road racing geometry, but there is enough clearance for 28c tires or 25c + fenders, which makes it a nice bad-weather bike that still handles like a race bike. The frame is not nearly as stiff as your aluminum bike is or a modern carbon race bike, but that bit of springyness the steel gives makes the bike extremely comfortable to ride. It should be infinitely more comfortable than your Al Giant.

Basically, the Smoothie Race is a super comfy, all-day type of bike, but has the quickness of a racier bike.

Mine weighs about 21 pounds with steel fork, pedals, cages, etc. Not horrible.

FWIW, I ride a 58cm (actually measures 55cm with a 57cm top tube) frame and I weigh around 175lbs. I race track, cross, and mtb.

pallen

Looks great - the white seat, bar wraps and logo lettering all works together nicely.

Commodus

Yeah, it's really very comfy. Accelerates great, I can hammer on it and flex is...well, it's there, but it never frustrates.

irclean

Beautiful!