I know the Soma is nicer, hence the more expensive price.
I just can't live with the decals. And as bbattle mentioned, taking the decals off would ruin chances of re-selling.
I actually learned this the hard way selling my Pake.
I got nearly $100 less than I could have just for taking off the decals.
I don't ride in a competitive fashion either and the Pake gets me from point A to point B, and I love the ride.

Besides, I was happy with my Pake even though it was too small, so once I have my 53, I'm sure I'll be even happier.
If I were to get something other than the Pake, I'd probably go with a swobo sanchez. I rode a friend's, those bikes are niceeeeee

are the decals on the top tube and down tube really over the clear coat? I was at a campus bike shop selling Soma Rushes check for the outlines and found nothing. It was smooth all around the lettering. Seems like 3 from this thread has confirmed that there could be some with the decals under the clear coat. Any more confirmation?

Price check on Rush?

Mine are over the clear coat.

dear soma, hire a bunch of new designers. it's not hard, you're in san Fransisco. FGS, there are art colleges there after all, you can pay them in bikes if you so wish.

classic case of fashion over function.

I like the decals on mine...but I'm not super-picky about stuff like that, I suppose.

I think mine are under the clearcoat. I can't see any sort of lines where a decal would start.

What year are your Soma Rushes, and are the decals over or under the clear coat?

i have seen the black rush frame in person and the logos are pretty subtle actually
i would probably keep them on if i owned one...they are attractive frames for sure

2008 and over

For real.

"Hmmmm, this frame is objectively better than that frame in every conceivable way but..... I don't like the stickers."

Careful about removing stickers. They might be load bearing decals.