Soma Fabrications

• As part of the rethinking and redirection of the shop this season, I've decided to add the full line of excellent and affordable steel frames from Soma Fabrications. Soma's frames fit somewhere between Surly and Gunnar in the spectrum of semi-custom steel. And after careful consideration, it looks to me like the brand is easily the best value. This is because, although they are made in the same Taiwanese factory as all the others -- the geometries are not simply off the shelf designs and many of the models feature upgraded tubesets. Best of all, Soma frames come in a ridiculous range of sizes (from 44-64cm in many cases), which is something that even Bianchi could not boast in its heyday.

  Here's a simple and perfect cross/commuter build using the Double Cross frame, a carbon fork, handbuilt wheels, and a smart, if-slightly-Rivendell-inspired mixed build kit.

  

  The bikes tend to look much more expensive than they actually are.

  Love the extended head tubes for the commuting-focused bikes. Lots of things to love here. That's a brand new Tange Techno-Glide headset. Simple and indestructible -- much nicer and cheaper than the competition. And Dura-Ace barcons!

  

  Blacked out upright cockpit.

  

  A couple of notes here. This is an inexpensive (albeit heavy) rear rack by Axiom. It has fantastic harware -- very similar to Nitto/Tubus, an at a fraction of the price. Also, the welds on this frame are noticeably cleaner than those on 3-4 year ol Soma frames.

  

  Yes, that's a Deore mech paired to a Tiagra compact double. It's all about longevity!

  

  Turns out the fork doesn't have fender eyelets, so that might have to change. Soma frames are available with a wide range of steel forks of course. Don't much care for the head tube badge, but it's not removable.