The no-name wheelset is rather offputting to me. It would be ok as a commuter/errand bike I think, but you could easily build an equivalent bike for less.

The sloping down tube that accomodates a dress is rather offputting for me.

IM KIDDING! Relax.

I assume you mean "more" and "less" as opposed to a conventional road bike geometry.


1st: Yes

2nd: Yes


But that's an entirely non-qualifying answer, considering that you would also answer "yes" when describing a touring bike, a cyclo-cross bike, a flat-bar road bike (such as the Trek Soho), a conventional hybrid (such as the Trek 7000 series), a mountain bike, an urban hardtail or a long-distance oriented road bike (such as the Trek Pilot series).

This is a prime example of the differences between correlation and causation, and your questions don't lead anywhere useful.

Why is this bike still being discussed?
If someone had to use this bike--could only get
this bike--it would do the job. This bike is a
desert island bike.

That's what you think, but hold your horses for a moment! Yes, I actually generally do agree that "you would also answer "yes" when describing a touring bike, a cyclo-cross bike, a flat-bar road bike (such as the Trek Soho), a conventional hybrid (such as the Trek 7000 series), a mountain bike, an urban hardtail or a long-distance oriented road bike (such as the Trek Pilot series)." I used the two questions as a segue towards the point that we are dealing with shades of grey, pink and blue. And other shades. It's not too well defined what a comfort bike is, but look at this list of bikes here:
http://www.suomenpolkupyoratukku.fi/...index&cPath=44
They are defined by the shop (it's one of the two largest finnish bikeshop chains) as "City and general cycling". This is the sort of bike that most people use in Finland. Because here cycling is not at all restricted to the younger generation, au contraire, you are more likely to see a 55+ year old person cycling than a 16-24. The bikes you see on that page are ridden by the +55 segment, as well as moms and pops with their kid on the safety seat, as well as many commuters of any age. These bikes are intended to provide a comfortable ride (all have tyres at least 40 mm wide) at a leisurely pace (the seat is soft but not very adequate for high cadence). Notice also the rather comfortable upright position - again, not suitable for high "aero" speeds. Many of these bikes have hub gears, to simplify maintainance, but that's not a hard requirement. Many have 700C wheels, but that's also not a requirement. The handlebars can be cruiser or flat, so that doesn't define the category, either.

But I think this sort of bicycle is the closest to a comfort bike, as defined by the two of you, as one can get. You may argue about the difference of opinions that the two of you have regarding what "comfort bike" means, but you can't argue that these bikes ARE, in any case, comfortable (unless you feel unconmfortable when you can't go fast - I sometimes do, I admit, the speed demon in me wants his share).

This is definitely not a comfort bike. You ride a lot more forward that your typical beach cruiser or grandpa bike. I want one and I've ridden both this and the Redline 925 back to back at the same shop. The Redline 925 was more than 5 lbs heavier.

it's for people who used to flat bar.

I believe that was the muffin man, actually.

my brother's old roommate has that bike. personally, i really don't like it. it feels heavy and cheap.

i saw one today... not bad for a coffe bike. in fact, i'd get one just to surprise people with... give it steep gears, leave the chainguard, lighten up the cranks or wheels.... people wouldn't know what hit em.

Like you stated, it's designed for commuters by giving a more upright riding position.
I prefer this type of geometry....less strain on the back.

Also, the Soho S doesn't have the top tube "bumper", but I think it would be nice if it did. Protects the frame when you lean your bike against something, to lock it up.

These bikes are very hard to find right now. Apparently, it's a pretty popular model of bike! :commute:

i have one. it's truckish. i use it (fixed) with mounted wire and mesh baskets (rear and fromt) for groceries. i replaced the flat bar with moustache bars. it isn't quick or agile, but it's remarkably stable. if it was my primary mode of transportation, i'd shoot myself or buy a hummer.

are you drunk?? have you ever seen the steamroller?

The 2009 Soho S has a belt drive.

http://commutebybike.com/2008/08/18/...t-drive-bikes/

Just an FYI, but the 2009 Soho S is the same as the 2008 model:


Thanks for writing. The Soho S has not really changed at all for 2009.
The price increase is just due to increased costs and you will be seeing
a similar increase across the industry this year.

Ride on,

Chris Long|Trek Bicycle Corporation 801 W. Madison Street, Waterloo, WI
53594 | Technical Services

The muffin man. The muffin man! Do you know the muffin man?

comfort bike means feet touch the ground? weird personal definition, your feet don't touch the ground on which bike now? ohhhh you mean that ass above head pursuit bike you be riding, no that would not be comfortable lolzer at all pursuit riding mormons

comfort bike means non-pursuit frame on this forums, pursuit frames are necessary for many that would have the seat below the bars on a roadworthy bike thanks to the short legs of the new bicyclist, pursuit is fashion,ride further than the coffee shop and watch your seat go up

i recently bought a set of drops and aero brakes for my Soho, gonna set that up this weekend or next and see how it works out.

I hope to get around to posting some pics of my Soho S commuter setup soon...

so i put the drops on it last weekend, but used crosstop levers instead of aero brakes. i used the stock stem but flipped it for a -15 degree angle. i LOVE the drops! so much more than the straight bar the Soho came with. however, i am switching to a 130mm stem soon because the compact nature of the frame doesn't give enough room to really stretch out in the drops.

still, next to the Brooks seat, this is easily the best upgrade i've ever done to the Soho S. It's also making me want to try track drops next.

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/phot...81653_8046.jpg
http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.ph...5&id=627460526http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/phot...81652_7620.jpg
http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.ph...5&id=627460526