I've just about decided to buy a Soma Saga frame for my next N+1 purchase. I would use the bike mainly for commuting and riding on bike trails, with occasional loaded touring. I already have a Bob Jackson World Tour, which I really like but it can't handle tires larger than 32 mm with fenders and doesn't seem to be designed for heavy loads. I plan to keep the BJ for commuting and light touring, but riding the GAP - C&O Canal trails last week convinced me that the Saga would be a better fit for riding on unpaved roads/trails and carrying heavier loads. The Saga is supposed to be able to handle much larger tires and appears more capable of carrying loads.

Some of the questions I have are: Can you use a 130 mm rear wheel with spacers, or do you have to buy a specific 135 wheel? How does the bike handle with just rear panniers? Does it have plenty of clearance for 35-40 mm tires with fenders installed? Any issues with toe strike on the front wheel? I would be getting the size 56, and build it mostly with parts from another bike. Initially I would probably use some Ultegra/Open Pro wheels that I have on hand, but I would eventually like to get some Ultegra/Velocity A23 wheels that could handle larger tires.

Are you happy with your Saga? Would you buy that frame again if you had it to do over, or consider something else? Any photos would be appreciated.