SOMA Fabrications Double Cross
A little about the philosophy behind SOMA Fabrications, courtesy of their website:
“Practical, durable, comfortable, affordable… these are the primary forces shaping Soma’s ideology. But why do so many other companies try to emulate the racing world when it’s the smallest segment of the market? Our local bike shops have felt a lack of ‘real’ products aimed at the everyday cyclist and occasionally pitch their ideas at us. The results: A better tire lever, water bottles that don’t taste like plastic, and steel frames that’s got people smiling from the commute to the singletrack. The San Francisco Bay Area is where we are located. We love the year round riding weather here and the strong bike culture. It’s a great place to live and cultivate new ideas.” Read more about SOMA HERE.
SOMA’S Double Cross is touted as their “do-all” frame, and capably handles cyclocross, trails, commuting or loaded touring. Clayton’s example is used for three of the four aforementioned duties; cyclocross racing isn’t on his agenda at this time, but he is a fan of riding dirt and gravel roads…
You may recognize Clayton’s name if you’ve interacted with American Classic. Clayton is the company’s Customer Service Supervisor.
Clayton Bramlett’s SOMA Fabrications Cross Bike
Frame: SOMA Fabrications Double Cross frame, Tange Prestige heat-treated butted chromoly steel front triangle, and butted chromoly steel rear end.
Fork: SOMA Fabrications lugged sloping crown steel fork with eyelets for front rack and braze-ons for low-riding panniers.
Headset: Cane Creek 40, 1 1/8″.
Seatpost: Thomson Elite X2 Road.
Saddle: Brooks Cambium.
Wheelset: American Classic Hurricane rim brake.
Tyres: Hutchinson Sector 28mm configured tubeless with sealant.
Handlebars: Salsa Road Medium.
Stem: Thomson.
Shifters: SRAM Apex 10 speed.
Derailleurs: SRAM Apex front and rear.
Crankset: SRAM Apex, 50/34 chainrings.
Bottom Bracket: SRAM external cup.
Pedals: Shimano SPD PD-M540.
Cassette: SRAM 12-26 10 speed.
Brakes: Tektro CR720 Cantilevers.
Bottle Cages: Elite.
Apologies for any errors or omissions in the bike’s specifications.
Photos – Click a thumbnail image to see full size (hosted by Flickr).
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I’m considering getting this frame to be my do all commuter that I can also blast down gravel trails and throw through mud ruts. Looks promising. but I’m worried that the chain stays won’t be long enough to avoid heal striking the bag, and my friends at my shop tell me that this frame isn’t dedicated one way or another, so that at the very least it’s a lame generalist. What do you think? How’s it been riding? Taken it through any trails?
Sean, I will have the bike’s owner chime in…
Hey Sean, I think beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder…. I definitely wouldn’t brand it as a “Lame Generalist” but more of a true do it all. I don’t know many people now a days that would use an all steel (frame & fork) as their one bike to do it all, but it’s done just that for me for almost 2 years. It certainly isn’t the lightest of rigs, but it has done a pretty darn good job at everything I’ve asked it to do. It was originally built up to be fully loaded machine for a two week tour to Key West. It’s since been perfect with 28c tires for commuting 50 miles a few times a week, keeping up with roadies when I need it to with smaller 23c tires, it leans perfect on most poles and lights and blends in quite well when I’m out and about around town. It’s recently been a fantastic rig with 40c tires and I know it would make a pretty wicked gravel machine for those who don’t mind weight. Hope this helps!!! Cheers
Hi Clayton,
Thanks for the reply! You’ve restored my hopes in this frame. I want to build a single quiver road/cross/tour bike this fall, and this is probably where I’ll begin. Thanks again for your input. Best regards!
So, what size frame is this? I’m curious how much the top tube slopes with different sizes.
I’m curious about the fit as well. Normally, I ride a 56, but the DC top tube is long, and the reach is the same for the 54 and 56cm frames. I’m leaning towards the 54 and using a medium-long stem.