Soma Smoothie

redpat1
redpat1 Posts: 54
edited February 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi Guys
I have come across a bike by Soma called the Smoothie. I have been thinking about a steel bike for a while and wasnt planning on a purchase just yet, then I came across this fellow http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/our-bik ... a-smoothie.
Let me know your thoughts, experiences and opinions please chaps as this is within my budget with cash left over for other cycling related bits. The bike will get used for commuting 3 times a week minimum which is around a 20ish+ mile round journey with one long steep climb. I also want to use this fellow for club runs and general fitness training. I am feeling quite excited by this bike so please try not to dampen my spirits to much.lol.

Pat

Comments

  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    edited February 2013
    Or you could get a handbuilt frame made from maybe better quality tubing with infinitely more choice for less money with £15 left over for some cake! Buy British! Hope that doesn't dampen the spirits - really ought to do the reverse!

    http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/produ ... env67474q1
    Faster than a tent.......
  • one_bad_mofo
    one_bad_mofo Posts: 86
    In a previous life I dealt with a lot of Soma frames (and parts for that matter) and I always came impressed. My partner has a Soma Groover MTB that if it wasn't too small for me I'd happily sneak off on rides. :D

    You can get some more details on the Smoothie here - http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/smoothie
  • redpat1
    redpat1 Posts: 54
    Rolf F wrote:
    Or you could get a handbuilt frame made from maybe better quality tubing with infinitely more choice for less money with £15 left over for some cake! Buy British! Hope that doesn't dampen the spirits - really ought to do the reverse!

    http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/produ ... env67474q1
    Rolf, you really do love those Bob Jackson bikes and yes I do buy british usually in everything where possible. I just wasnt sure if I could get my sizing right and didnt want to have to wait for several monmths to take delivery.lol.
    Pehaps I should be more patient?
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    redpat1 wrote:
    Rolf F wrote:
    Or you could get a handbuilt frame made from maybe better quality tubing with infinitely more choice for less money with £15 left over for some cake! Buy British! Hope that doesn't dampen the spirits - really ought to do the reverse!

    http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/produ ... env67474q1
    Rolf, you really do love those Bob Jackson bikes and yes I do buy british usually in everything where possible. I just wasnt sure if I could get my sizing right and didnt want to have to wait for several monmths to take delivery.lol.
    Pehaps I should be more patient?

    It wasn't you before was it? :oops: :lol:

    I've not had one - being in Leeds you see them around and a couple of friends have them and they look nice (though my club is more dominated by the other main Leeds builder, Woodrups due to a longstanding association with them. But I used to go into the Bob Jackson shop when it was open and they just struck me as insanely good value for something that was made in the floor above the shop! I might have ended up with one instead of my Ribble but I do benefit from bespoke sizing and BJ had a lead time of about 6 months for that at the time. On the other hand, the wait for the standard geometry frames was about 6 weeks. No idea what it is at the moment though.

    There are loads of other options though - you just rarely get properly handmade steel at that price.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • redpat1
    redpat1 Posts: 54
    Yeah it was me Rolf but thats ok. It shows that you have consistency and belief in what you are talking about. :P
    The lead time is a couple of months at the moment and there are no prices for specced bikes. I always find that quite difficult as I am not the most knowledgeable about groupsets and other bits and pieces.
    The Soma just appealed because it is a no nonsense bike with solid kit and available, not to mention that I was just taken with it for whatever reason. It looks like a bike you can do almost anything on, should last years but also i wont get upset everytime i scratch or mark it.
    I used to ride motorcycles and had a beautiful Triumph and as much as I loved it I didnt enjoy ownership as it was always getting chips and scratches and I ended up letting her go because I was trying to wrap her in cotton wool to try and protect her, I kind of feel a bit the same way about handmade steel frames. I bought an older sports bike in the end worth a third of the triumph and enjoyed riding her much more as I didnt mind if it received any damage. :shock: Hopefully you get my gist!
    Any more info or opinions gratefully received.

    Pat

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