Commuter just finished
#1
Commuter just finished
I just finished my Soma Double Cross Disk commuter rig. I was just looking to build something that I could easily throw a couple of bags on an jam to work.
Soma Double Cross Disc frame
Nashbar carbon fork
Shimano 105 Cranks
Shimano 105 Rear DR
Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifter
Cole CX wheels
Origin 8 bullhorn bars
Crane cross levers
PDW rear rack
Vittoria Randornneur Cross Pro City 35's



Soma Double Cross Disc frame
Nashbar carbon fork
Shimano 105 Cranks
Shimano 105 Rear DR
Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifter
Cole CX wheels
Origin 8 bullhorn bars
Crane cross levers
PDW rear rack
Vittoria Randornneur Cross Pro City 35's
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 184
From: Frankfurt, Germany
Bikes: Focus trash find commuter, Eddy Merckx Corsa, BP Stealth TT bike, Leader 720 TT bike, Boardman Comp Hybrid drop bar conversion, Quantec CX budget cyclocross build, SerottaNOS frameset ready to build up!
How nice it must be to not have to worry about fenders.
#4
I know its not the most conventional build but I decided to make it fit my commute. I chose bullhorns because I don't go into the drops during my commute, I chose a single crank sprocket because I don't have huge hills to climb, I chose disk because I wasn't really worried about weight and they stop better than cantis in my opinion. I think people build bike out of what the normal expectation in the cycling community is not really for what their specific need is. I have other bikes for other purposes, this bike is for commuting and possible club rides now and again.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 184
From: Frankfurt, Germany
Bikes: Focus trash find commuter, Eddy Merckx Corsa, BP Stealth TT bike, Leader 720 TT bike, Boardman Comp Hybrid drop bar conversion, Quantec CX budget cyclocross build, SerottaNOS frameset ready to build up!
All makes pefect sense! Hope it´s a blast to ride. It´s certainly a lot prettier than my commuter, but then I did find the frame in a hedge.
#7
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
I know its not the most conventional build but I decided to make it fit my commute. I chose bullhorns because I don't go into the drops during my commute, I chose a single crank sprocket because I don't have huge hills to climb, I chose disk because I wasn't really worried about weight and they stop better than cantis in my opinion. I think people build bike out of what the normal expectation in the cycling community is not really for what their specific need is. I have other bikes for other purposes, this bike is for commuting and possible club rides now and again.
I hate drops
I hate spandex
I think not having a hub dynamo is foolish
People should ride what they like ...
#8
I just finished my Soma Double Cross Disk commuter rig. I was just looking to build something that I could easily throw a couple of bags on an jam to work.
Soma Double Cross Disc frame
Nashbar carbon fork
Shimano 105 Cranks
Shimano 105 Rear DR
Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifter
Cole CX wheels
Origin 8 bullhorn bars
Crane cross levers
PDW rear rack
Vittoria Randornneur Cross Pro City 35's




Soma Double Cross Disc frame
Nashbar carbon fork
Shimano 105 Cranks
Shimano 105 Rear DR
Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifter
Cole CX wheels
Origin 8 bullhorn bars
Crane cross levers
PDW rear rack
Vittoria Randornneur Cross Pro City 35's
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix - Soma Double Cross Disc - Pivot Mach 429SL - Canfield Brothers Yelli Screamy - Specialized Carve SL - Trek Farley 7 - GT Dyno VFR
Awesome build. I should have mine finished up over the weekend. The frame came last week and the wheels/brakes showed up today.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Nice. I have bullhorns on one of my commuting bikes and really like them -- except when it's windy. We've had a lot of windy weather this winter so I haven't been riding it much lately although I did today.
#11
One Man Fast Brick
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Langster, Bianchi San Jose, early 90s GT Karakoram, Yuba Mundo, Mercier Nano (mini velo), Nashbar Steel Commuter, KHS Tandemania Sport
I like it. I have always had mixed feeling, aesthetically, about the PDW rack. The radbot looks like it needs angled down though.
#12
I was on the fence with the PDW rack, but I must say that now that I have it installed I like it. It is built well and the bamboo deck looks nice, although it will be covered most of the time with my bags. I have already tweaked the light down, that's just how the bracket came from PDW.
#16
The brakes are the Nashbar branded brakes, got the whole kit for around $70 and they seem to work well. I was a little leery on buying them but quality seems pretty good. I have had a lot of luck with their stuff.
Last edited by dndbenson; 03-20-13 at 04:46 PM.
#19
___________
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
That's really cool. I just got my Double Cross built up too. I considered bullhorns because I always liked bar ends... Think I'm just gonna get some bar ends before I go on a big bike trip. I also thought about disc brakes but with everything else I wanted, couldn't afford them, so this is my first bike with canti. I don't love them.
What I do love is the frame.
It's the perfect combination of stable and responsive. Exactly what you need in a commuter. Good luck with your ride!
What I do love is the frame.
It's the perfect combination of stable and responsive. Exactly what you need in a commuter. Good luck with your ride!
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Lake Claire, GA
Bikes: 2008 Giant TCR Advanced
Are you sure the frame is not too big? Zero set-back stem, seat is moved up and the short stem.
I don't get the all black accessories but that seems to be the trend. I love the gold Soma, though. It's on my short list to replace my Fantom Uno.
I don't get the all black accessories but that seems to be the trend. I love the gold Soma, though. It's on my short list to replace my Fantom Uno.
#21
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Short stems are common with bullhorns, since they have a healthy amount of reach. I'd be interested in hearing how this bike is working out for the OP.
#22
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
#23
I have been riding it that past week and it is a blast. I took it out this weekend for 16 miles of mixed riding. We had street, dirt fire roads, mountain trails and the bike did great. I have a 9 mile commute each way and it is much nicer to throw my stuff in the bags and go as apposed to wearing a backpack.
I am not sure how having a zero setback seat post would mean that my frame is too large, I have no setback on my other bikes. I do seem to run more of French Fit on my bikes because I am not 18 years old anymore and prefer a more relaxed geometry.
ThermionicScott is correct, there is a bit of a reach with the bullhorns and it is taking a few rides to get used to it. At first I thought I was going to switch them to drop bars but now that I have about 100 miles on them I actually like them.
Really when it comes down to it I build my own bikes because I want them a certain way, the way that I like them and I love this bike, it kicks ass! Hopefully everyone can say that about their ride because its more fun to ride a bike that you love not ride a bike that everyone else thinks is cool.
Are you sure the frame is not too big? Zero set-back stem, seat is moved up and the short stem.
ThermionicScott is correct, there is a bit of a reach with the bullhorns and it is taking a few rides to get used to it. At first I thought I was going to switch them to drop bars but now that I have about 100 miles on them I actually like them.
Really when it comes down to it I build my own bikes because I want them a certain way, the way that I like them and I love this bike, it kicks ass! Hopefully everyone can say that about their ride because its more fun to ride a bike that you love not ride a bike that everyone else thinks is cool.
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