jburnsdo

Sorry for the absence, out of town for a month with no computer

I have recently spoken to a guy who bought a Soma who built it up with veloce for around $1500 (US) on GVH and was singing their praises. I didn't see a lot info on the Smoothie on BF, especially since they've switched from 853 to Prestige tubing. I'd be less nervous about buying sight unseen if I knew more about how Tange rode in comparison to 853, but I'm definitly intrigued by them after reading their website, and I'm now torn since there's a decent indy fab for about the same price as the Bianchi. Anybody have any experience with the Smoothie, Tange Prestige, or opinions about either bike?

Thanks,
Jon

urbanknight

Bianchi! Bianchi! Bianchi! I ride a Bianchi Veloce and love it. I've never ridden a Somo, however, but I had a mountainbike with Tange Prestige tubing. It seemed a little weak to me, but it was relatively light. Maybe it's better as a road bike because of that.

Second Mouse

No experience with Soma or Tange, but I did notice that bikemania.biz has very good prices on the Smoothie and the Smoothie ES. Bikemania's name has been mentioned in the forums before and they seem to be a reputable outfit.

Cheers.

Corsaire

I've ridden the Vigorelli (same geometry, same steel, just different name for a different gruppo bike) for 3 yrs. and loved the ride, smooth and comfortable enough to do centuries, even double centuries w/o getting beat up because of the bike.
I'd go Bianchi all the way, proven geometry and construction for decades.
Corsaire

LastPlace

I am currently having the parts from a Trek 1200 moved to a Smoothie ES frame. It was the largest 'sight-unseen' purchase I have made in a long time.

All I can say is that the shop owner has ordered one of their frames to build his own bike. The frame finish seems beautiful but I don't have the knowledge to comment on the welds or construction. Hopefully the fork will arrive this week and I can have a new bike by the weekend.

The geometry seems to be similar to Rivendell models which I hope will mean more comfort for those rides over forty miles.

Good luck with your decision.

the beef

I personally love my Bianchi Veloce, and I've yet to hear anyone, these forums or elsewhere, who has been unhappy with their Veloce. It's such a great bike.

fallsjay

is it really better then the snake or the cross concept? how do you choose between the cross concept and the veloce? do you think it is really 1200 better of a bike then the kona jake the snake? i am trying to decide on the bikes and want to make the right choice 2300 or so is a lot of money but if it is really the best and i will have it for a long time i am happy i want tomake sure i get the moneys worth. please guide.

CastIron

My main road ride is Tange Prestige. Great tube set. A little slow to spin up but it's fast and smooth with great power transmission. I think it compares most closely with 753, though. I also believe it's been out of production for some years now.

Bianchi, of course makes a great bike. I own one (Cross Veloce) as well and love it dearly. Not exactly a bad dilema to have.

biker7

I have never met anybody who didn't love their Bianchi Veloce. In spite of crashing tonight for the first time on this bike...the bike is fortunately in good shape...mine has been just a great overall bike with a wonderful ride. It handles like a slot car...descends with pure confidence. It isn't a lightweight racer but not what it is about.
Here are a couple of pictures. The black Vento wheels came on the bike and I recently upgraded to '06 Campy Scirocco wheels which are a step up and make it just that much better.
Good Luck,
George

deerfeedrb

I love my Veloce!

the beef

Why the heck not. Me too!

urbanknight

Oh, now I can't resist.

By the way, I have not gone ONE SINGLE WEEK since buying this bike that I did not get a compliment on the color while riding. I mean cars rolling down their windows and saying "nice bike", other riders calling it "pretty", etc. etc. etc. Anything in celeste is a looker.

H1449-6

In the market for a new commuter. I note that the Soma Smoothie ES frame/fork is less than $400 shipped from bikemania.biz.

Any comments on this vendor?

NCTrey133

I've been looking over soma stuff for a while, so far the fanbase i've found is small but very loyal.

CarreraGT612hp

celeste IS totally a looker. it stands out just as a ferrari stands out in red