Seeing as we have all sorts of 'specialty' threads for different bikes (m-kilo, b-pista, c-mash, f-track, leaders, and the like) I thought it was about time those of us with Soma Fabrications bikes have a place of our own to post our builds and Somafab related content. All Somas and Pakes are welcome!

I won't use the first post to pimp out my own bike so here's a pic of the prototype for the most recent rush. I wish they would've released it in this color!


Also those of you who mentioned it in previous threads can thank me for not including the word "thread" in the title

With some minor changes I really dig that proto. Rush. Beauty.
I've got the Soma 456 drops and the Condorina cruiser bars. I really like the overall design in most of Soma Fab's components.

Man.. Vibrant blues like that looks SO good on bikes. Almost makes me want to get one!

My trusty stead.



Soon to be put away for most the winter

I think when I buy some drops for the track I'll get either their 456 bar or the major taylor. They've got some pretty cool townie bars too!

@ vw - your bike served as some inspiration for my build. I never got around to finding some box section rims and gumwalls like I wanted to though.

In recent news, Soma is having a photo contest on their facebook page. Submissions are closed now but there's still time to vote for your faves. Hamfoh and I are both on there

I'll go ahead and post my Rush now:

Are those Sun rims vw?

I ordered a Rush frame last week. Called earlier this morning to check up and they said they would be shipping today and I would receive and email. It's now the end of the day and no email...

Anyway here is what I want in my build:
Soma Rush Frame
Tange Levin Headset
Nitto RB021 bars/Nitto Pearl stem
Selle Italia Flite saddle/Miche Supertype Seatpost
MKS Sylvan/Allcity plastic clips/Retrogression Straps

I have all the above except the stem and saddle.

Not too sure on the crankset yet, leaning towards Superbe Pros or Sugino 75s, just haven't found a deal yet. No idea on wheelset, nothing too pricey though.

Weighing my fork options as well. I want something chrome. Origin 8 or RG straightblade forks. Maybe a used Tange fork if I can find one.

soma is 2mainstr34m now. i'm getting a LOW!

My ~1.5 year old rush is gettin' a makeover. Not yet threadworthy.

2010 Pake reporting in. Need to get some shots showing off my saweeet bullhorns and new bar-end lever though!

yeah, the m13's from velomine. solid deal for a simple wheelset.

i think one of those velosolo chainrings w a set of old campy or stronglight cranks would look good on your build if you're going for a classic look. i think 75's are overkill, but hey, if you have the money, go for it.

i was riding today thinking about what i could change next summer on my bike. couldn't really think of anything besides maybe a brooks. i'd like to get a new frame someday but I feel like anything other than something like an njs frame wouldn't be worth it

Are Pake and Soma related in any way?

My ongoing Soma Rush build:

Soma Rush Frame = 49cm, khaki green
Soma steel Fork = 1" threadless, Khaki green
Headset = 1" threadless FSA Orbit X silver
Cranks = Sugino 75 165mm with Protype sealed BB 109mm ISO square taper
Chain = Wippermann Whitestar 152 nickel plated silver 1/8"
Handlebar = Nitto RB-002 silver with Easton Velo black cork tape
Stem = Leadtec LCS709 90mm 17degree (Wabi Cycles)
Saddle = Selle Italia Flite 1990
Seatpost = Nitto Dynamic 626 27.2mm
Pedals = Exustar PR70 clipless Look Delta cleats
Rear wheel:
Rim = Velocity Deep-V silver NMSW 32H
Hub = IRO (Formula) fixed/fixed sealed cartridge silver 32H and Wabi dropout protectors
Spokes = Sapim Laser 2.0-1.5-2.0 butted silver
Nipples = Sapim brass 14mm silver
Cog = Soma black 17T x 1/8"
Lockring = Shimano Dura Ace
Tire = Continental GP4000s 700 x 25c
Front Wheel = Velomax Circuit 24H radial road wheel with QR with Continental GP4000s 700 x 23c tire
Front brake = Dia Compe BRS BRS100 Green anodized caliper with Tektro RL silver cross lever with 24mm clamp

75's aren't too expensive, at least with the protype BB that I would pair them with ($35?). I haven't looked around too much, I can find used omnomnoms for ~$140, but I don't particularly like the look of them. 75's + protype BB will cost only a little more. I actually really would want the Superbe Pros, but they seem harder to find. IRDs would look nice, but aren't on the same level as the others cranks I had mentioned and are only a little less expensive.

I believe Pake was founded by someone who came from Soma, and thus Soma kind of got them rolling with ads on their website, etc.

They're both sold by Somafab. The geometry on the Rum Runner and the Rush are pretty much identical iirc. I assumed they were related. Anybody wanna confirm or deny this?

I'll confirm it. All the Pake frames we've ever sold were in Soma boxes and both are distributed by Merry Sales in SF.

The geo doesn't need to be the same for them to be made by the same company.

That is a very good looking bike.

Hopefully one of these days a BF member will build up a Pake French 75. Aluminum track frame and carbon fork totaling 5 lbs (53cm, uncut steerer) for $399.99. I was really close to buying one but the irreplaceable inner dropouts and lack of any reviews scared me away.

Jason Clary won the Red Bull event (which means jack **** imo) on one and rode it for a bit around SF. That's the only time I've ever seen one in person.

They're also both four letter words with two alternating vowels and consonants. Bonus points anyone? No? Nothing?

Here's my tarck-ish 2010 Pake.

There are three Soma bikes in my house:
Soma Smoothie Race, built up w/ Ultegra 6700 group, IRD Cadence / White Industries wheels, Thomson goodies. My road bike.
Soma ES, built up w/ Dura-Ace 7700, Salsa / Ultegra wheels, Thomson goodies. My girlfriend's road bike.
Soma Buena Vista, 42cm (uses 26" wheels), single speed, Velo-Orange Milan bars, etc. My girlfriend's daily commuter.

I also run 456 track bars on my track racing bike, Clarence bars on my singlespeed 29er, and various other Soma bits on other bikes in my collection.

Considering either a Soma Rush or an All-City Big Block for a fixed gear road bike and backup track racing bike, altho I'm leaning towards the Big Block.

Soma stuff is nice and well-designed.

well, i haven't had a reason to post my soma in a while. she's my summer/christmas ride, as she lives in florida and i live in ny. bought her off CL last year as i was dying to get away from the family for an hour or so and needed to ride a bike. this is pretty much how i got her from the previous owner, and all the bike shops in my town in FL are pretty weird about fixed gear stuff. anyway, here she is:



i would love suggestions.

i know:
bar tape
brake
flip the stem
slam the stem

other than that, what does she need?

I don't like B17's on road bikes, they feel better to me on more upright bikes.

Clipless pedals, and a normal chain are the only things I'd change other than what you've already mentioned. If you like the stem/bars where you've got them, leave it alone. Flipping/slamming stems for fashion's sake is lame.