OK. Here is the problem. I have $825 for a bike upgrade. I can afford a used 2004 Felt TK2 ( https://www.feltracing.com/2005_bikes.../TK-2-copy.jpg ) *or* a new Soma Rush with the following components:

HEADSET: choose King or Hatta 1-1/8" threadless.
STEM: choose Nitto or Deda 1-1/8" threadless, alloy, black.
HANDLEBARS: choose Nitto steel or alloy track; Nitto or Profile aero bullhorn.
SEATPOST: choose Nitto NJS alloy micro-adjust 27.2mm.
BOTTOM BRACKET: Sugino 75 loose ball (68-110mm).
CRANKSET: Sugino 75 track, alloy 5-bolt 144bcd, 165, 167.5, 170mm, silver.
CHAINRING: Sugino 75, alloy 1/8" 144bcd, silver, choose 46-tooth--50-tooth.
CHAIN: Izumi pro track 1/2" x 1/8" brown, silver or gold
BRAKE LEVERS: Dura-Ace aero road levers with black hoods.
BRAKES: Dura-Ace dual-pivot side-pull caliper brakes.
CABLE / HOUSING: stainless cable, lined housing.

I've already got a saddle, nice wheels and pedals.

I currently have a much upgraded langster (my starter fixie) and rode steel bikes for a decade before that. Honestly I love the jittery technical feel of an Aluminum frame for the kind of urban riding I do and thus feel like that TK2 would be a nice way to go. Also the TK2 will weigh about 15lbs total, while my guess is the Soma will be heavier than my Langster. However, the TK2 only has medium-OK components on it while the Soma would be pretty well decked out. Additionally the Tk2 is used and will be shipped, while the Soma would be new and built for me by bikeworks here in NYC and I love them. I ride bout 3500 miles a year, 98% of them in Brooklyn and Manhattan. I am a new dad and thus am perpetually broke and this bike money was created by selling the absolute last bit of my once-huge synth and vintage audio effects collection, so this one has got to last.

I guess I'm leaning towards the Soma because it is a known quantity, but I wanted to field opinions from this distinguished group before deciding tomorrow.

Soma Imho..

S/f,
Ceya!

Soma.

Soma

soma. but why not an aluminum frame comparable in price to the soma?

Are you sure about that as the SOMA's 1" threadless which is really the only PITA thing about it? Don't believe they've change the frame recently.

My vote would be the SOMA. Used ALU frame with used middle of the road components would worry me. Unless you could be sure of the frame's history and use, you may not get too much out of either the frame or components.

Another vote for the soma.

soma, it'll last forever. alu won't.

easy, soma.
hands down.

what wheels does it get?

Wow! this is actually really helpful. I like my alu langster's feel but The TK2 is not alu, but carbon, titanium and scandium, but close enough. The stem/headstock components would be comparable if not identical... it is a cut and paste from bikeworks' kit spec for the kit I can afford.

As far as wheels I have a Paul high flange hub w/ open pros, so I think that those are pretty good.

I was pretty psyched for the TK2 but my intuition started leaning towards the Soma and now I think that is the right way to go.

you had better consult our resident techy frame expert, fugazi dave, before making any decisions.

huh? the TK2 is 7005 aluminum.

really? that's what I get for listening to people on the interweb. sorry. you are right.

You know, I will have to chime in here as frame decisions are often difficult to make depending on funds, frame materials, riding style, usage flexibility, and...hell, get the Soma if those are your choices.. I would rather have chimps attack me than ride aluminium.

soma

chimp attack: https://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/04/chimp.attack.ap/

"St. James Davis had severe facial injuries and would require extensive surgery in an attempt to reattach his nose, Dr. Maureen Martin of Kern Medical Center told KGET-TV of Bakersfield. His testicles and a foot also were severed, Kern County Sheriff's Cmdr. Hal Chealander told The Bakersfield Californian."

you must REALLY hate alu.

the soma is probably the safer bet

but that felt is sick

how much does the frame cost new?

SOMA for sure.

I've changed my mind. I'll take the chimps.

dude, with those components? soma most definitely. duh.

yeah. soma.

if it were a new/new comparison, i'd really have second thoughts about the above choice. 15lbs is a pretty light bike, and i'm not a weight weenie. if you have the frame for it, you could go real fast on that tk2.

the soma would be a better daily-ride for the city.

DeBernardi.

Soma is nice because its steel of course, but...............

The felt is sexy, at least I think so.

Expert! Ha!

If you were comparing brand new stock bikes, I'd say the Felt any day, but here I'll go with the concensus and say Soma.

[subliminal]But aluminum still kicks ass[/subliminal]

Soma. Heard a scary story about a Felt like that breaking in half. The Soma is a great street ride.