Drop2Flat

Here we go!! Just came back from a trip and man was it a blast. Here are some pics of the bike all loaded up.

Drop2Flat

Some more pictures of me and the bike:

LuckyLyndy

Bumping this thead, as I am interested in a Soma Saga build. Anybody with a lot of touring miles and/or commuting miles to report? Especially on handling with little or no front load?
Thanks!
Lyndon

xyzzy834

I'm putting the finishing touches on my new Saga build. I don't have any loaded miles on it yet, so that report will have to come later. There's a lot to like about the frame and the way it builds up. Soma did a nice job getting some small things right.

It rides as smooth as silk, unloaded, but that has a lot to do with the tires and other components besides the frame. I swapped most of the components from my Fuji Touring frame. (Explanation to wife: "It's not a new bike. I just replaced a couple of components... including the frame.") I use a Tubus Tara low rider rack and a pair of smallish to moderate sized panniers on the front, so I won't have much to report on a rear-only load configuration.

I'll put pictures and more details up within the week.

MileHighMark

I've got about 1700 miles on my Saga. The bulk of those are commuting miles, with maybe a hundred or so being dirt/gravel. I found that I don't use the rear rack, and will probably remove it. The front low-riders will stay on, as will the fenders. One thing I noticed is that the bike handles better with 32mm (actually 33.5mm) tires rather than the 35mm (36.5 actual width) tires. It tracks more "neutral," and takes corners better.

This weekend I installed a Selle An-Atomica saddle, and the first ride was more comfortable than my B17 that's been breaking in for approx 600 miles. Still dialing in the exact position, but it rides nicely.

niknak

I probably have a few thousand commuting miles on this bike with 35mm tires. With a bit of weight in some panniers on the rear rack, or without panniers, this bike handles well. Riding no hands at low/mid speeds is easy. I would feel confident loading this bike down for long tours. The oversized tubes should be able to handle the extra weight no problems.

niknak

I have the same saddle. It's very comfortable and easily the best saddle I've ever ridden. With that said, the screw that allows one to adjust saddle tension seems to creep loose. I can tell when I need to add tension again because the leather starts squeaking when I pedal.

MileHighMark

I've been wondering if there's some type of non-anaerobic thread locker that could be used to keep it in place.

chemmerly

Mark, how do you like the Selle An-Atomica? Is that the Titanico, or the Titanico-X?
Also, if you are considering selling your rear rack (which I believe is a Tubus Cosmo, right?) I might be interested in it!

seeker333

not mine, just the only pic i've seen of new green Saga build

seeker333

I expect the new color will be more popular, and increase demand for the Saga. Only change (besides paint) seems to be seat post clamp is now a replaceable Al type, which is probably a good idea. Brazed-on seat post clamps can eventually break.

For all you kickstand fans, this frame does include a KS mounting plate.

The green color does go well with the panel.

MileHighMark

That's a Titanico. My absolute favorite saddle (I own three of them). I sold my Saga and both racks.

rzldzl

I built up a Saga this past winter. I am really enjoying the ride, but as the two bikes I have ridden as an adult had 26” wheels and straight or trekking bars, I really do not have much to compare this bike with. At least compared to those two bikes the Saga is a fun ride on the road.

The planning and choosing of parts was an enjoyable winter biking obsession. I perhaps became a bit too obsessive about chasing down the lowest internet prices and then composing orders from different vendors that got me over the tipping point to free shipping.

I finally chose the Saga over the LHT based almost entirely on price. I doubt that I could find much difference in the ride of the two unless I had both bikes to compare over a substantial period of time. The convenience of the Pletscher kickstand with its simple, rock solid and trouble free mounting seems nearly enough to make the choice the right one for me.

The build, my first, went surprisingly smoothly. Research on Bike Forums pays off. I am sure some of you could build up an entire bike in the time it took me to me to align and install the fenders, but in the end I am confident in my bike and have more confidence to deal with mechanical problems when they arise.

I suspected the slipping seat post phenomenon was overstated but it is not. A piece of tape on the seat post at the top of the seat tube revealed the post to slowly creep downwards over the miles. I saw a post in mechanics, I believe from FBinNY, about adding some lapping grit, which I happened to have, to the grease on the post. Problem solved. I see that the new model Saga has done away with the integrated seat post clamp.

The other day I got around to making up a build list with prices.








SOMA SAGA BUILD

Frameset Soma Saga 58cm $315-
Wheelset XT M770 hubs/Mavic A319 36h rims/ DT Champion
spokes, XT skewers $152-
Rim tape $7-
Tires Continental Gatorskin 700x32 (2) $57-
Tubes Continental 700c x 28-44mm (2) $13-
Crankset Deore M590 48-36-22 (on hand) $0-
Bottom Bracket XT FC-M770 $27-
Cassette Deore HG61 12-36t (on hand) $0-
Front Derailleur Deore LX FD-M581 $19-
Rear Derailleur Deore XT M772 $80-
Shifters Dura Ace 7700 9 spd. bar end $75-
Chain KMC X9.99 $22-
Brakes Deore BR M590 v-brakes $39-
Brake Levers Tektro RL 520 $23-
Brake Cables Jagwire stainless $13-
Brake Cable Housing Jagwire L3 XTR gray $10-
Brake Noodles Jagwire w/adjuster $6-
Headset FSA Pig $19-
Locking Headset Spacer Problem Solvers $8-
Headset Spacers $10-
Stem Dimension 80mm 83/97 degree $19-
Handlebar Salsa Cowbell 3 46cm x 31.8 clamp $34-
Bar Tape Soma Thick and Zesty $9-
Saddle Terry Liberator Y Gel (on hand) $0-
Seat Post VO Grand Cru long setback (used ebay) $34-

BASIC BUILD $991-

Fenders SKS Longboard Silver 700x45 $32-
Kickstand Pletscher double (on hand) $0-
Stem Auxillary VO 70mm x 6 degree x 26.0 (used ebay) $24-
Bar Auxillary $18-
Handlebar Bag Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Plus medium $85-
Map Case Ortlieb $16-
Bottle Cages King (2 on hand) $14-
Rear rack Topeak Super Tourist DX $32-
Front Rack Tubus Tara (on hand) $0-
Chain Deflector N Gear Chain Stop $9-
Bell Crane Suzu Lever strike Brass $11-
Pedals MKS Sylvan Touring $25-
Bike Computer Sigma BC 1009 $24-

Complete $1281-

tarwheel 

Nice build! I probably would have bought a Saga if they were available when I ordered my Bob Jackson World Tour 3.5 years ago. It is a very well designed bike for touring as well as commuting, and the geometry is much more favorable for my purposes over the Surly LHT.

drrobwave

I just took mine on a shake down overnighter - fully loaded with extra stuff to simulate a week trek. I was truly impressed with the handling and how well it carried the load. Standing up and mashing - GREAT! Cruising down a hill at 27 mph - GREAT!
Mine is equipped with XT components (brakes, FD, RD, hubs) and coda 44-29 crank, ultegra bar ends, and sram 11-32 cassette. Will be on the GAP and C&O This Sunday.
Here are couple of pics - I have since added a black B-17 and corrected the front rack.

https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0380.jpg
https://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_0393.jpg

MileHighMark

Carbon assembly paste will keep the 'post from slipping. Works equally well on slippery alloy seatposts.

puntyboy

Here's my new Saga. I've got about 600 miles on it, in preparation of a cross country trip beginning about June 5. It looks a lot like the others except for the fenders. I don't know why I haven't seen any others with the brass, except that they're a little hard to find and a little pricey. They sure do go well with the downtube color scheme!

tarwheel 

I love the new green color, but the blue is also nice. How are you like the Tubus Tara front rack? I just bought one but haven't installed it yet.

gitarzan

My Saga. I've since had the Fork Tube Trimmed.




Build info:

[TABLE="width: 570"]
[TR]
[TD]BV KA33 Alloy Kick stand[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Delta Inox Bicycle Bottle Cage[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SKS P45 Chromoplastic Bicycle Fender Set [/TD]
[TD]700c x 28-37 Tires, Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Topeak Aero Wedge Pack [/TD]
[TD]with Velcro (Large)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sugino XD-600 Crankset - 165mm[/TD]
[TD]48/36/26[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Shimano Deore CS-HG61-9 Speed Cassette[/TD]
[TD]11-34T[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tange IRD Bottom Bracket[/TD]
[TD] 68 x 113mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]700c Velocity/Deore XT M770 Touring Wheel Set[/TD]
[TD]36 Spoke[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tektro FL750 Brake levers (BRL41)[/TD]
[TD]Upright Bar ("Flat Bar") [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Soma Sparrow Alloy Bar[/TD]
[TD]25.4 560MM SILVER[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dimension 100% Cork Grips[/TD]
[TD]Tan [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]FSA Bike Headset[/TD]
[TD]The Pig 1-1/8in Threadless Headset[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]MKS Sylvan Touring Pedal[/TD]
[TD]Double Sided[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Shimano Housing Stop[/TD]
[TD]1-1/8" Down Tube [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Soma Saga Frame/Fork[/TD]
[TD]58cm (700c) Navy[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Paul Thumbie[/TD]
[TD]Mountain 22.2mm Silver [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Silver Downtube Shifter [/TD]
[TD]Kits 17101[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Silver Shifter Adapter[/TD]
[TD]Friction[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]IRD Long Drop Front Cable Hanger[/TD]
[TD]Ti-Silver/73242[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Soma Deco Rear Rack[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Soma SF Stem - High Rise (Rd/MTB)[/TD]
[TD]26mm/silver/120mm/26618[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]IRD -CAFAM Cantilever Brake[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Grand Cru Knurled Headset Spacers[/TD]
[TD]10mm silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Grand Cru Knurled Headset Spacers[/TD]
[TD]5mm silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]KMC X9 Chain[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VO Grand Cru Seat Post[/TD]
[TD]Long Setback[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VO Metallic Braid Brake Cable Kit[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VO Metallic Braid Derailleur Cable Kits[/TD]
[TD]Silver[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VO Saddle, Model 3 Touring[/TD]
[TD]Honey[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rim Tape[/TD]
[TD]17mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Front Derailleur[/TD]
[TD]Tiagra 6504[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Braze-on Adapter[/TD]
[TD]28.6mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Pump[/TD]
[TD]Topeak Road Bike Master Blaster L 54-59[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

phillybill

Well I am building 2 up for a summertime tour for me and my son. It's going to be a process so I will put some pics up as we hit critical points in the build.

phillybill

Nice build.... love the handelbars.... How do you like the TRD brakes under a load.. I was thinking of moving the ones I have on my soma minivelo over to the saga build.

tacreamer

My new Saga build, pictured here on the C&O canal this past September!

veysey

Finally finished building out my 61 cm Saga DC (first DC on the thread, I think). Thanks to all who posted before - was helpful. Very happy with the results, except for the front derailler. It works, but ... may try a CX 70 or IRD Alpina-D, depending on how well the current one plays with a 9-speed chain (soon, soon). The issue is that a 45mm chainline (spec for Stronglight / Sugino triple and frame) doesn't play nicely with the mountain derailler. It's a real close thing.

Notes of interest - the Tektro 926 AL (95 mm) brakes fit beautifully with the fenders, rack, and light (a matter of millimeters, but hey!). I think the setup is slightly under-geared, but I can't quite decide. Should work nicely when I get older.

The build replaces my beloved 1984 Schwinn LeTour Lux, which needed one frame weld too many. Overall the Saga gives a significantly softer ride while also being more rigid in cranking and equally nimble with handling.

Parts:

Velocity Dyad 700 C (36 holes), handbuilt by Anthony and Longleaf Bicycles. [Big thumbs up to his work!]
Front Hub: Shutter Precision PV-8 Dynamo [recommend it based on ~3k miles]
Rear Hub: Velo Orange Grand Cru Touring Cassette Hub [Dig high flange look, matches dynamo ...]
Micheline Butyl Airstops
Schwable Marathon Supreme Tires
Tubus Cosmo (stainless) Rack
SKS LongBoards P45 Fenders
Tektro 926 AL Mini V brakes
Jagwire Road Pro brake cables
Tektro RL520 lever set
Jagwire adjustable noodles
Dura Ace 7700 9 speed downtube shifters [friction mode!]
Newbaum's Black Cloth Tape, Zinnser Shellac
Shimano M520 Clipless SPD MTB pedals
Shimano Deore M590 Top Swing Front Derailler
Salsa Lip-lock seatpost clamp
Soma Layback Seatpost
Soma Alloy Bar Plugs
Soma Shotwell Stem (110 mm)
Nitto Mod 177 Noodle Bar
Brooks Flyer Select Saddle
Front Skewer and reflector from '84 Schwinn LeTour Luxe [RIP]
Busch and Muller Lumotech IQ Cyo Premium Senso Plus
Busch & Muller Toplight Line Brake Plus
Stronglight Impact Triple 172.5mm 46-34-24
Velo Orange Bell Spacer Mount
Crane Suzu Mini Brass Bell
Cane Creek 40 headset
Tange LN-3922 bottom bracket
KMC 8.99 chain
Shimano Deore M591 Sgs Rear Derailleur
Shimano Alivio CS-HG51-8 (11-30) Cassette
Sigma Sport 16.12 Wired, Cadence