Prepped

Picked up the frame and fork from the LBS the other day. I dropped it off just to have the head tube and BB shell raced and faced, but immediately realized there was other work I needed them to do for me because I do not have the tools (or know-how for that matter) to do so. These tasks included reaming the seat tube, racing the fork crown, and installing the headset (and fork subsequently). After considering the time, effort and cost involved for me to apply frame saver I had the professionals do that as well. The assembly is coming along well so far. I've built the wheels and will have a forthcoming blog post on that process. I still need to true them though. A job I'm not looking forward to based on previous experiences with truing wheels. Little by little the Soma Smoothie is making its way to completion. I still have a few of odds and ends to secure - handlebar plugs, headset spacers and front derailleur clamp - that will hold up the assembly for a bit, but at the pace I'm going right now being short a few parts is only a minor bump in the road. The salmon pink color of the Chris King headset really pops out against the white frame. I like it. A lot.

Smoothe Arrival: Soma Smoothie

A few days ago the Soma Smoothie frame was dropped at my doorstep via UPS. There was excitement in the air as I whisked the box inside to open it. The dog was as anxious as I to see what await inside, poking her snout at the top as if to say, "What could it be? Hurry!" The back order period was about twice as long as projected, but that's OK because I don't have all the components yet to build up the bike completely. First impressions? It's quite light, I was surprised when I picked up the box for the first time. The finish is lovely, the metal-flake pearl white shimmers beautifully in the sunlight. The joint welds are pretty good. For a $300 frame I wouldn't expect them to be much neater than they are. The frame design is practical - rear rack braze-ons allow for the option of touring, functional with its agile and somewhat aggressive geometry making for some quick riding, and aesthetically attractive. General opinion is I got myself a good quality frame most likely worth every penny of its selling price. I'm looking forward to putting this baby on the road.

Ground Zero: A Soma Smoothie

The initial part, the foundation of the bike...the frame. Over the past few months I've spent hours of research on the web, perused numerous models in shops, and engaged in conversations with other enthusiasts. The selection process has been a thoughtful one balanced with just the right amount of instinct. Considering the various materials comprising frames these days I quickly decided steel is the one for me. Simple, traditional, durable, beautiful. Having recently heard that the cost of steel is jumping I decided now is a good time get that fundamental piece in place. Craftsmanship is of course very important, yet financial constraints limit my choices. Sigh, the ideal choice of a custom frame will have to wait for another day.

My selection focused on the small-to-mid sized manufacturers who offer quality designed and built frames at a price point that fits my budget. Knowing that there are a number of quality bicycle companies in the US and Canada making, if not specializing in, steel frames - Salsa, Surly, Soma, Kona to name a few - I made the conscientious decision to patronize these bike manufacturers. To buy local. I'm under no impression that these bikes are North American made, they are of course made in Taiwan or China. That's just the reality of the world economy these days. Still, I take pride in buying domestic. There are European manufacturers that produce a top notch product. Some of these brands have been revered for decades and some simply en vogue just for their European association. Despite their quality the fact remains that I am drawn to the domestic companies which also have the important advantage of affordability.

Upon first sight I was always attracted to the Soma frames. They meet the craftsmanship requirement and then some with their attention to detail. The lugged frames like the Speedster are just plain lovely capturing the elegance of the traditional steel frame with a contemporary design. The non-lugged frames have very clean joints and an excellent quality finish. Unfortunately the Speedster was outside my price range by a few hundred dollars. But the Smoothie and Smoothie ES fit the part. After a back-and-forth comparison of the two models I decided I'd be happier with the more agile Smoothie. The semi-compact geometry of the frame is what gives it its aggressive nature. I find that to be an exciting feature that will bring a real thrill factor to riding. I'm not going to use this bike for hardcore racing, though I still want something quick and responsive. The rack braze-ons at the rear subtract some from the speedy visual aesthetic of the frame, but then they allow for the option of converting the bike for touring in the future. On the subject of aesthictics I freely admit I like nice looking things. The pearl white finish of the frame is sweet and conveys the idea of light and nimble. And the Soma fiery sun logo is just plain cool - not a deciding factor, but still adds to the affection for the bike. Another non-factor attribute: Soma is West Coast (San Francisco). Being a life-long West Coastie I feel an immediate bond with this brand.

The word on Soma frames is they are solid quality and very well made. I'm confident that I am getting an excellent product for my money. I've ordered one Smoothie in pearl white (other colors available as of this posting are sea blue and forest green) through a company online and should be receiving it in a few weeks when they've restocked in my size. Once I have the frame I will update the blog with photos. As this blog progresses I will be updating a composite picture of the bike as each part is added. I welcome comments and suggestions on the component selection and building process of the bike.