Soma Fabrications frames, specifically the Double Cross

[Cataboo]

I think they're either from the same parent company or are made in the same factory or some such like that... Least I've read that a few times...

[Blueberry]

SOMA is slightly better tubing. I believe I've read of a couple of frame failures, but it's really hard to tell if it's one person complaining. My LBS manager rides a double cross and loves it. Beautiful bike! I've seen the lugged one (was a speedster) and the Smoothie too, and both were beautiful. Someone on here rides a Speedster too.

CA

[Kalidurga]

SOMA is slightly better tubing. I believe I've read of a couple of frame failures, but it's really hard to tell if it's one person complaining.

I've also heard that it's better tubing than Surly, but the only issues I've found in reviews have been with the paint chipping easily on Somas.

[KnottedYet]

I was also lusting after the Double Cross and the Cross Check. The geometry in my size (52) is the same. The CC has a slightly shorter effective tt length (4 mm) and slightly shorter wheelbase (1 cm). I can't tell the difference.

My LBS told me that Surly based their road bikes on samples of Soma bikes. (the CC and the Pacer). They didn't try to sway me in either direction, they felt both were equally good.

Frame prices were the same at the time, but buying a Surly complete brought my total to much less than buying a Soma and building it up. I really couldn't have afforded either when I started looking... way back when Surly CC was also only available as a frame.

I do loooooove the Soma logo.

[Blueberry]

The ones I've seen haven't had any paint issues FWIW (and one is ridden heavily).

Surly is 4130 CroMoly and SOMA is Tange Prestige. 4130 is pretty much bullet proof, but the ride quality can suffer. Tange Prestige is still very strong, but rides a bit smoother from what I can tell. Of course, I'm sure there are lots of opinions out there on the subject.

I ride a Cross Check. If I were buying again, I'm not sure which one I would buy. I think I'd lean towards the SOMA because of weight (they're slightly lighter) and better tubing (IMO). But I'm not about to get rid of my Cross Check.

CA

[Kalidurga]

I've got concerns about buying a bike I can't test ride, but I definitely like what I've read about this frame (plus, it's got that pretty logo ). The main difference in the geometry between the Cross-Check and Double-Cross seems to be in the head tube. I talked to the guy who fit me on my current bike, and he felt that the shorter head tube on the Cross-Check would make it difficult to get the bars as high as I like. The Double Cross, on the other hand, has the same tt length as the Cross-Check, but the head tube is the same as my current bike.

Lots to sort out and think about.

[KnottedYet]

I popped some spacers in my CC, and got the same bar height.

(what would we call that? "Effective head tube length?")

[Kalidurga]

My current bike is set up with a stem extender. I'm not sure if adding that to the Surly would bring it up high enough, but I'm guessing it'd work on the Soma.

I should probably be considering touring frame geometry as well, but I just really like having a 'cross frame and being able to ride anywhere.