Road Bike NOT A Road Racing Bike - SOMA Grand Randonneur

[@peterschoen841]

You are a MASTER, bike reviewer. They should pay you for this. I'm sold. 9 speed, 2x, cable brakes, etc. A little Riv, but not all the way. You are the bike whisperer. IMHO.

[@steventrott8714]

I feel like Randonneuring bikes are perfect for a lot of types of cycling! I don’t have a “road racing bike” anymore and those bikes don’t quite fulfill my needs anymore.

[@medvjek]

I have the older model and it really is the perfect road bike for me. I ride about 80/20 road to gravel on it. It's nice to have the ability to push it harder on rough stuff or take it on caping trips but most days it's my semi-fast, semi-light weight plush rider. I love it.

[@astro61362]

I rode in one randonneur event. All the experienced guys riding had carbon or titanium bikes. I love steel bikes and that's all I own. This Soma is a beautiful bike. It looks a bit like my All City Space Horse.

[@bitchoflivingblah]

If age is any indicator of experience, in my last randonneur, all of them rode steel.

[@jeffandersen6233]

Thank you Russ for continuing to show bikes made for everyday multi surface riding that do not have a slammed stem. Hopefully the idea of a high mounted stem that can be height adjusted will look more normal again. And great to see steel frames being reviewed. Also it has my type of 2x gearing with smaller chainrings.

[@sandrochiavaroBeerCircles]

Sounds like someone at Soma binged watch 100% of PLP Chanel and make your soulmate version of the “everything” bike.

[@norfleetbuilding]

I built-up the previous rendition (white with red lettering) of this frame with rim breaks, 650b wheels, and an old Shimano 105 group-set. It's my favorite, "be out and be happy" bike.

[@noelbrown6771]

Another thing still nice about quill stems is the vertical adjustment available so you can raise them up to give your neck or back a little break at the end of a long day in the saddle, or drop them for strong headwinds

[@anotheryoutuber_]

and they do make top and front loading quills for quick change.

[@jackiegammon2065]

I will say that I LOVE the Soma frames! I built up a Double Cross years ago that I used for self contained touring and backpacking. It rides really well and is quite comfortable. My model was made just before the frames with disc brakes came out, and was glad that I did not have disc brakes. Their early models with disc brakes made it very hard to adjust the brake caliper if indeed it simply needed a quick adjust to simply not rub on the rotor But will say after watching your video, it's time to get that old Double Cross out again and do some trips...thanks for sharing!.

[@atexnik]

Can you explain why you love them?

[@parisrose5766]

I randomly came across this video. A really well rounded review. Thanks man.

[@calfee62]

Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful presentation. I think the only thing missing to mate with the quill stem and bar end shifters on that pudgy beast is Biopace chainrings.

[@Eri94]

I watch Henrywildeberry and that couples randonneuring videos are insane. I don't know how someone can ride from norcal to socal

[@donttouchthisatall]

Same - His channel was, what got me interested into randonneuring (not that i have ever done an event). I like the fact that it's about participation and endurance, not racing. The bro-culture/competitivenes really doesn't sit well with me, when it comes to road bikes.

[@JaccoSW]

Love HWB. If you like those; more on the Endurance side is 'Katie Kookaburra' and great videos but more on the cocky Bro-side is 'Fernwee'. 'bluelug' is a Japanese bike store chain and they have some great Bike packing x Camp videos and so does the slightly hyperactive 'Dustin Klein'. I can probably find more in my subscriptions but these are ones I watch on a regular basis.

[@alanmiller7546]

I have been touring with this bike for years, 650B x 42 Rene Hurst extra light tires, TRP linear pull rim brakes, Jones bar with XO twist shifters and 3x9 gearing, Red Shift shock stem, S&S couplers. Fits in a 26x26x10” non oversized suit case for air travel. Toured in Western Cuba, Germany (Rhine/Mosel wine region loop). Heading with it back to Germany next month. Colorado Copper Triangle as an overnight. Use Tubus low rider front rack with Ortlieb Gravel panniers. Home made 3/4 frame bag with water bottle access on the seat tube, second bottle on bottom of down tube, Pika seat bag. Great for Colorado mountain pass climbs and excellent for touring loaded confident steep fast paved road descents. Adding a Cane Creek eesilk+ seat post for cobblestones in towns we will ride through next month in Germany.

[@jacobferrante1610]

I agree russ, I'm thinking about having a custom frame similar to a rando/all-road bike. I prefer front loads, especially as I like to use my camera in a small rando bag. this video is good for the brainstorming

[@vaquerosupreme3189]

I recently completed a build. The cockpit: Soma Porteur handlebar, VO quill threadless stem adapter, VO 110mm stem, Grand Cru levers. Dia Compe downtube shifters. RBW Silver 42/28 cranks with MKS pedals. Shimano 11-34t 8 spd cassette paired with an Acera derailleur. Temporary: Hunt 4 Season wheelset--waiting on Crust to restock their wheelsets. Took it straight from completing assembly to the single-tracks in Pistol Hill (in Vail, AZ). Fun fun, so much fun!

[@markjthomson]

I have a Mongoose Randonneur - very similar bike, is VERY comfy, will do the gravel acceptably and durable. They are a great machine.

[@yoda112358]

This is definitely a great choice for plenty of people. While I'll likely never give up my snappy lightweight aggressive road bike for climbing out of the saddle, sprinting, and railing down paved corners, bikes like this are a great option and I'd love to have one if I had space for more bikes.

[@compedium]

I have the v2 grando and love it. Great all around bike. I've ridden lots of everything on it, including a mountains to the coast 60 mile ride in Oaxaca. It's a great rig

[@ronhuebner2147]

I have a 1st Gen Grand Randonneur and it is my fav out of the 9 bikes I own...and I own some great vintage steel bikes. It's great as a Partyneuring bike and makes chipseal bearable. Yes, I watch all the super svelt type A wanna be racers zip by me, but they are half my age and I always imagine that most of them won't be riding bikes at my age because of their "world cycling" view. Yes, with weight added to the front, it's not a weight weenie dream, but bike weight pales in comparison to my own weight. But it's coming off as I ride my own rides and enjoy the beautiful horse country and rolling hills of North Texas. Birding by ear while I ride is part of the party as well. Right now, we are covered up with painted buntings. Hope your rides are as satisfying as mine. Oh yeah...big hills still suck no matter the bike.

[@Jaq365]

'Partyneuring' - underappreciated comment and a new Webster's entry!

[@stevekelly6544]

I love the Soma stuff- the Fog Cutter is awesome too-

[@fredhenderson6303]

Thank you for the review I appreciate it. Great work Russ. Hopefully one day you can review the fog cutter and the pescadero.

[@marccarter1350]

Audax bikes works well for all day, even over 3 to 6 hours. My steel Condor wasbuilt into one. Modren steel running 11 speed DI2, Axel, disc. The older guys on events in the uk give me some odd looks, but i love it!

[@hunterdean11]

That front wheel wandering I call paper-boying

[@cosinus_square]

I was very close to buying a GR frame when it was released spring 2021, disc brakes and modular dropouts is what put me off. Tried countless times to find a canti version without success. Ended up building a Peugeot PX10 instead, with a low trail fork.

[@splashpit]

I bought a 30 year old Alan cyclocross for $300 and it is by far my favourite bike to ride. Gets plenty of people talking at stops and cafes.

[@donttouchthisatall]

@@splashpit nothing nicer than reusing an old bike or frame - I recently built up a 35+ yo frame (NOS) with Ultegra & tubeless and it's amazingly fun to ride!

[@cosinus_square]

​@@cjohnson3836 I own 2 hydraulic disk brake road bikes (a Ribble CGR 725 and an SL6) and 2 mtb's with disc brakes, besides other rim brake bikes. I have also ridden this disk GR and the previous canti version as one of my riding buddies likes them very much and has both, that's how I cam across this bike initially. It was summer of 2020 but by that time the canti version was long gone. Late 2020 the GR disc was rumoured so I waited for my buddy to get his first in spring 2021, in order to try before I buy. My Ribble doesn't get ridden much even though it has 42mm gravel tyres and it's supposed to be 'comfortable', too bulky and too stiff and my SL6 is a smooth tarmac only bike, pun intended, lol. When I find a disk brake bike that rides like my Peugeot with a front bag, I'll be all over it, until then, rim brake it is for randonneuring. I'll happily replace the rims on the PX10 if they wear, even yearly if I have to, until that unicorn disc brake bike shows up. There's more to rim brake bikes than braking.

[@ninasabghir5686]

So few bikes for really small riders, and folks who can’t swing a leg over a frame. Bike manufacturers need to think about that group. We want to be touring, bike packing and exploring too.

[@Alistair_Spence]

Nice review. I didn't know about this bike so I appreciate you giving it some exposure. Kudos to Soma for bringing this frame set to market, the geometry chart looks promising to my eye. I do think that going with disc brakes over canti's is a mistake but hey, maybe that was more of a marketing decision? In order to be able to tolerate the braking forces from the disc calipers they would have had to make that fork beefier, and therefore stiffer, than it would need to be for canti brakes. If you're going for the rando crowd, and you're going for the "planey", narrow diameter, thin wall tubing on the frame, then why not go all the way and spec it with a nice supple fork too? Anyway, cool bike. Thanks for your review of it.

[@bikenraider99]

Gonna have to see if I can find one of these. My touring bike is a little long in tooth, but hey, steel is real. Novara used to make a good Randonee bike too; complete with spoke holders on the chain stay.

[@StaggerLee68]

Soma makes brilliant bikes. My 07' Juice has been a fantastic bike to this day.

[@ploegdbq]

You can get quill stems with removable faceplates, if handlebar swapping is your thing. Velo Orange has one, Crust did one with Nitto that's jacked up (currently out of stock, though).

[@adhunt1]

IRD has one on Soma too!

[@Finnspin_unicycles]

Deda murex is what I have on my retro-roadbike. Not that I swap handlebars all the time, but I think there really is no downside to having it that way (Unless you are totally into staying period correct of course), they also usually provide better clamping.

[@madisondeans5566]

Very nice looking,&possible round town and beyond bike!thanx for review Russ!

[@donttouchthisatall]

I love Randonneuring bikes! Don't knock a quill stem till you tried it 👍 - Granted, it is annoying to change a handlebar but who really does that on a regular basis.

[@markachternaam5207]

Just have a second stem, keep 1 on each handlebar and swap handlebar and stem at the same time. Allows for different length stem at the same time.

[@rollinrat4850]

Velo Orange and a few other companies make quill stems with removable face plates, so it's easier to change bars. They just don't look as nice as a regular quill stem. My opinion is function>vanity. I don't look at my bike while I'm riding it either.

[@derb7462]

Would be nice if you could visualize the data of the bike while showing the bike. would make it easier to understand. Not everyone is that deep into framebuilding.

[@sagehiker]

Taking the road bike back from the race form! I prefer set-up for flat or alt-bars and have a real interest in this drive train, from the range to the front derailleur. Nice, nice bike for long day rides on the road. It does ask for a front randonneur bag.

[@gabbu8908]

When will we see your collection of bikes? I'd really love to see them!

[@lukehendrickson3669]

So sick looking. Was actually just chatting with Jim Porter of Merry Cycles earlier today - rad dude.

[@crimsondiesel9929]

Thumbs up for natural light!👍

[@larrywhite8590]

The irony is French Randonneurs ride carbon endurance bikes with fairly deep carbon wheels. It’s the NA folk who are riding 70s English stuff ;-).

[@Timmeh2Buck]

Don’t try to reason with retro grouches

[@stephenturkLA]

I rode 70s English stuff in England in the 70s. Modern steel bikes, like these SOMA bikes, are nothing like 70s English stuff except maybe very superficially.

[@larrywhite8590]

@@stephenturkLA I’ve got lots of steel bikes. My point is rando is about going long distance efficiently. Aero matters even at 30 km/h.

[@Derrrrrp]

@@larrywhite8590 80% of the aerodynamic drag is generated by the rider and carbon bikes are much slower when they’re laying on the side of the road with a snapped steerer tube

[@larrywhite8590]

@@Derrrrrp Sure. But a well designed and built carbon bike will out last steel. Material science does not lie. With this in mind just don't ever set foot on a plane ;-).

[@F4B1_86]

Most time I ride my my randonneuring bike. Full mudguards, front and rear rack. For most of my tours and commuting it is the best choice I think. I have a 29er, a audax bike and a roadbike, but the randonneuring bike is the best choice for the most type of roads in my opinion.

[@dougcohenmiller]

Ah the review I’ve been waiting for! I bought the Wolverine just before the disc gRando was released. I love mine, but since this came out have had that feeling this may have been the bike for me. I’ve always thought quill stems look nicer than threadless, especially for those of us who don’t ride slammed bars.

[@lukewalker1051]

Lovely aesthetic and well explained.

[@hugobci]

I use an aluminium gravel bike tô randonneur uma cable disk brakes and 700x40 Slick cst tires. Dynamo lights, front bag. Nice to see similar setups OEM.

[@Alex_564]

How does the frame ride compare to the Wolverine you reviewed a few years ago?

[@butsukete1806]

First thing that stands out is that steep head tube angle. But then I see the way the forks sweep out and don't really know to feel...

[@mitch8210]

flying down that chunk!

[@klarkolofsson]

Looks like a more modern Rivendell bike, with the thru axles and disc brakes.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Linguistic footnote: « randonneur » simply means "hiker" (or tourist, in English, if the person is riding a bike.) From « randonner », "to wander around", through « randonnée » (or « rando »), "a hike"; technically, "a wander". Not all randonneurs compete in competitive randonneuring ("touring contests"), as some just, like, tour. However, the influence of English on European French has meant that more and more, bike hikers are being called « touristes » in French, leaving randonneur in the de facto position of more or less meaning "competition tourist". But bike touring is still called « la randonnée » or even sometimes « le randonnage », so the person doing it is often still called "le randonneur", particularly in Canada. Class dismissed.

[@olivierpicon1860]

"Le randonnage", really? Does it exist? I'm and I ride bikes for decades and have never heard or read the term randonnage. Is there a source for it?

[@RobMacKendrick]

@@olivierpicon1860 Are you Canadian?

[@olivierpicon1860]

@@RobMacKendrick french

[@RobMacKendrick]

@@olivierpicon1860 Ben voilà.

[@olivierpicon1860]

@@RobMacKendrick ?

[@Jaydad4701]

They way it sounded when you said plastic or carbon I thought you were going to loose your lunch 🤣

[@lukaskamratzki6106]

I need those cranks.

[@buckroger6456]

This is a sweet bike! I'm not a fan of the shifters but the rest of the bike looks great.

[@dalevalentine9008]

Looks and sounds like a great all around bike. Great review

[@frankhugh2052]

Wonder if that would work with a Jones type bar on there. Lovely bike

[@Flatmint911]

Looks like a well struck compromise . No bike can do everything really well , some things are mutually exclusive . I know it's not overly important , but I'd like to know how much the bike weighs , naked so to speak . At $1000 it's pretty good value too . I had a "similar" frame made for me last year which built up weighs a little under 10.5 kg/23lbs and cost £1400 /$1700.

[@sadhu6740]

Noice! This is my favorite bike that you have reviewed. And that's a few huh....

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I want more info about that crank. Looking for a not so expensive option in a subcompact crank that uses Shimano external bb.

[@KarlosEPM]

IRD is a premium brand. I would be surprised if it wasn't more expensive than Shimano.

[@robbchastain3036]

I'd like to see Russ do a crit. He could ride at the back with a bar bag and toss party-pace stickers to the crowds before easing up to the front to contest the final sprint. And then he could do a video on converting a touring bike into a racing machine. :)

[@joegabriel1605]

Love my SOMA SAGA

[@jefffrankowski9103]

Ride the Wolverine - Great all around ride, from commuting to gravel touring to monster cross !!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Already reviewed it.

[@jorgsofi]

Would be interesting to see a review of the Twin Six Standard Rando.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Would be. Been emailing them for years!

[@andali555]

Forget gravel, "Randonneuring" is the next big thing! I love cycling because of well... cycling! not to compete for seconds or grams.

[@lookinforanick]

Hi there mr sticker salesaman :) You mentioned butting profiles in this video. Do you have another one where you explain this perhaps?

[@kylehoover114]

Tange prestige is very nice steel for the price.

[@qiviut]

beautiful bike!

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Love it! A deceptively classic/vintage-looking bike (cue its_just_a_70s_road_bike.gif) with modern components, including working brakes!

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thanks Russ.

[@escgoogle3865]

Quill + small diameter tubing just looks matched. However, I'm not feeling it with the disc.

[@b5thomas7]

Really like the old school character with thru-axles. Thoughts on 700 vs 650 for this bike?

[@Digi20]

the geometry and overall built is not really focused on archieving every bit of speed possible but more for munching miles in a steady constant state - i would go plush 650b all the time for that.

[@PhilipSalen]

Hey, you called my Surley LHT chonky. Don't listen to him Surley LHT, I still believe in you as a commuter and touring bicycle (but not as a road bicycle, because you are a little what my Zaydee would call zaftig).

[@DD-xx8wh]

....nice review and great video quality!

[@bennettshfd2]

So would a Giant Contend AR3 be something for this? Maybe put 38c tires on it?

[@armandovargas5434]

I wonder if the raked fork blades still flex well even though they are reinforced for the forces/stress of disc brakes. Love this set up! Quill stem forever

[@somafabrications9345]

Majority of our customers love a lugged crown fork with their skinny blades, but they do flex more than a unicrown fork where you can spec fatter blades. Our disc brake forks aren't necessarily a thicker gauge than say our canti forks for CX-- for both brakes can flex the blades and cause fork shudder in certain instances. We shoot for a safe fork with a certain level of comfort, but not a certain performance characteristic like "planing". On our Wolverine we recently offer both a lugged crown fork and a thru-axle unicrown and yes customers tell us they can feel the difference in comfort/terrain feel between the two. Every significant change has its compromise.

[@armandovargas5434]

Thanks for the reply! Really loving this frameset.

[@Ray.J]

Drunken goat? Is that a thing? Since I own a number of bikes with quill stems, that doesn't bother me, but I agree it makes changing bars a pain. And the way some go though bars, looking to find just the "right one" I can see this as being a real drag. Bikes like this and the VO version seem well thought out and very appealing.

[@waisinglee1509]

What's with the knobbyish tires for a randonneuring bike? I would have gone with Rene Herse Switchback Hills or something smoother.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Uh. We live in Montana.

[@theriver8524]

Can you elaborate on why there is a need for derailleurs that shift small chainrings specifically?

[@lshendrick]

What kind of “kickstand” is holding that bike up in the video? You should do a kickstand review.

[@Ey_up]

Called the Clickstand. There's a website.

[@patrickkwhite]

I have one and really like it.

[@davetbassbos]

I thinks 70s road bikes are like 90s mountain bikes: the apotheosis of the form. This bike is not too far off, there's worse ones out there, I guess.

[@Harry_Lew]

Did I miss a weight number for this bike? How did this bike compare to the Norther-Lyon you reviewed a few year ago? The Norther-Lyon is what I consider a traditional randonneur bike in that comfort is the main design feature.

[@kiwiwithacamera]

Russ, this looks interesting. I'm after something like this, but a little more towards touring and with canti's (think a modern take on a Dawes Galaxy). Any bikes that you've reviewed that fit the bill? Thanks.

[@visualpun650]

New Albion Privateer? Cantis, but not with a threaded fork and quill stem.

[@P90Camper]

Thanks for the video review! How does this compare/contrast to the Midnight Special? I am really torn between these two bikes.... 80 road 20 gravel - I enjoy all day endurance rides.

[@arkinalla]

Probably this bike will be your top Bike of the year..... this bike will describe you Russ very well.

[@mixermanbear.4002]

Not to mention it looks cool AF!!

[@JeffCowan]

Those fat tires are definitely helping the ride quality as much or more than the stem.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I know what the tires feel like. I had the wheels and tires on my Crust. The quill stem is DEFINITELY flexing and adding more compliance.

[@jsdhesmith2011]

Can you buy a bike like this complete or is it frame only and put your own parts on?

[@acbarnard]

Cool bike, great review!

[@erosqing]

Hello, can you show the stick/pole that you use to stand the bike at the beginning of the video? It seems foldable and very useful to bikepacking adventures! Thanks

[@patrickkwhite]

It's called a Click Stand.

[@chadmyles-theclevelandcyclist]

I wonder how this bike compares to the Salsa Journeyman?

[@brianmaldonado3723]

Odd. It is like an old Atala I have. Mine IS noodly though. Ty!

[@stevelodewick9438]

Ok beautiful bike but I've never seen ZST brake levers. I hate my Tektro 520 levers so I'm switching to road BB7 calipers. How did you like the ergos of the ZST? How would they compare to TRP RRL or Tektro RL340?

[@mrbuddha5263]

Buy a long haul trucker, I wonder how many of these they'd actually sell? As I typed this you literally said long haul trucker. which is what I feel like this bike was trying to achieve, but a bit less to offer in terms of fully loaded compliance. I love a modern quill stem and that green paint on tan wall tires is so sexy.

[@mrbuddha5263]

To add to this, I know you love bar end shifters, but I'd rather down tube before barend, and levers before bar end or down tube. Is this bike offered in just a frame because there are some really nice options to set it up as a monster tour bike.

[@visualpun650]

This is very different from a LHT. Much lighter more compliant tubing, shorter wheelbase for quicker handling. The tubing is even lighter than their CX and gravel frames. It is for carrying a light load not a kitchen sink. If you load this like a LHT it probably would feel noodly and wander all over the place. Real loaded touring frames have to use extra thick tubing to keep the frame from flexing when loaded.

[@jonathangapay1724]

Is that a pilot’s watch from Sinn? 🤔

[@event4216]

Most motorists have an argument "you can ride bike for 10 km, but 1000? Bike isn't made for that". They should learn more about audax.

[@george8214]

That’s what I should be riding.

[@anotheryoutuber_]

what a great machine.

[@Xcalith]

That stem is the only reason I can't buy this bike. I'm hoping that the next version will use more modern standards.

[@mioutdoors426]

What's stopping you? A bike having a quill stem isn't a good reason to write off a whole bike.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I agree. Quill stem isn’t a big deal. Currently own three bikes with quills.

[@jeffb1430]

Yeah you try riding a bike with a quill stem and your arms will fall right off.

[@Xcalith]

Quill stems are really hard to come by where I live. If circumstances were easier, it would be an easy purchase for me.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@davidross8233 I don’t know what geo chart you’re looking at but it’s pretty different.

[@ds94703]

No one in a randonneur will be riding that touring bike, but the name is cool. This looks like a Touring bike. I think the tires give it a sort of gravel bike look and feell, but I would not have any treads in those tires for roads. I would go with slicks (all seasonS?)- tires that you are sure wont flat out (unless you are riding on leaves or in mud) Having had bar-end shifters back before STI shifters were fully accepted, I approve of them, though once you go STI, you never want to go back. Love the big rear derailleur, though it adds weight. Also why hydraulic disk brakes when a mechanical one will work just as well and weigh less. I would add a dropper post and a gel saddle. Just my preference for long rides. A top tube braze in for the a small rando bag (for your rando-card and cell phone) is better than the handle bar bag, imho.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

A 5 second comparison of geometry and tubing and it’s pretty obvious it’s not a touring bike. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@somafabrications9345]

Hi Doug: Soma sells the GR as a frame set only. So the customer can put whatever shifters and tires they want to suit the riding they aspire to. We didn't have a wheelset to send for testing, but we knew Russ has a few 650b wheels, so we let him choose what to put on for the test. This particular frame is NOT for fully loaded touring. It uses more slender and lighter tubes and weighs almost 1 lb less than our Saga touring frame. Also doesn't have the long wheelbase of a purpose-built touring frame. It would ride overly flexy if loaded down with even 40lbs of gear. The Motoko brakes are mechanical/hydro hybrids and weigh only 149g.

[@olivierpicon1860]

​@@PathLessPedaledTV❤

[@olivierpicon1860]

Hopefully no one is "in a randonneur"!

[@paulvanreesch2493]

So pretty

[@itstheterranaut]

That's lovely. I've never used bar-end shifters, is there ever a risk of them coming in contact with knees?

[@Peternocito]

I added bar ends to my soma double cross last summer. For context, my bike is pretty small (42) and the cockpit to saddle is very compact. I’m built like a tyrannosaurus. That said, I’ve never come in contact with the bar ends even when popping out of the saddle. If I have, I’ve never noticed. The bar end shifter is also way less responsive than a grifter in the sense that you “feel” for the gear. It’s an incredibly smooth shift. You don’t get that “clunk” when you shift your bike. You won’t pop a chain or anything if you hit it with your knee

[@itstheterranaut]

@@Peternocito Thanks Pete, good to hear.

[@benc8386]

Interesting that they oversized the DT but not the TT. Do you of any other non-custom bikes that are doing this? I wonder if it's a trend. Quill stems look better and work fine although I'm less of a fan of the threaded headset.

[@Alistair_Spence]

Oversizing the DT was a trend that Jan Heine started when he built his "Mule" test bike some years ago. The theory was that the stiffer "Keel", formed by an oversize DT and beefier chain stays might help in constructing a frame that "planed".

[@visualpun650]

The old GR had a non oversized down tube. Maybe going OS was to allow for more stiffness at the BB. Top tube and seatstay choice helps more for comfort than the downtime some say.

[@glennpettersson9002]

Soma have some very tasty gear.

[@m_m2877]

Nice review. What size is this Russ? I've a 52cm V2 and although it being the 'correct' size according Bike Insights et al, I've always felt it has too much seatpost showing. Your build here looks fine but a quick Google will show that the majority of the GRs end up looking like mine i.e. they don't have that 'fistful of post' that characterise a traditional randonneur bike. For anyone looking to buy a GR I'd recommend sizing up if the aesthetics are important to you. Maybe less of an issue on the V3 with discs anyway but the 'long and low' look of the V2s with cantis are an acquired taste. Or maybe I've 'Crust-itis' with no hope of a cure given the postage and import costs into the EU, but that's another story. Still, the GRs do ride nice!

[@somafabrications9345]

On paper Russ was between a 49 and 52cm. We sent him a 49cm with a 90mm stem. As with most test builds, it is difficult to get things perfect even with a lot of e-mail consultation. We are happy if the bike fits well enough to test accurately.

[@m_m2877]

@@somafabrications9345 Thanks for the reply! It looks as if Russ has gone with a quite level seat/bar set up which looks pretty comfortable. I'd love to know the thinking behind Soma's choice to go for the shorter seat tube on the GR, which, to my eye at least, lends it a more compact, post-90s road bike look as opposed to the squarer tradition style that most randonneur frames sport. Mine's been a great introduction to both low-trail and 650b and I really enjoy touring on it but, like I said, if I had my time over again I'd have sized up to the 55, run a shorter stem and then I'd have had a more proportional look overall with a lower seatpost height. That moment, when I took the almost fully built bike, clamped at the seatpost, down from my workstand, went to adjust the seatpost downwards only to find the completed look wasn't at all what I'd envisioned still gives me nightmares! I found a solution of sorts in time though. Stuck a Wizard Works Shamaz! on the back of it...then it doesn't look so bad! ;) Anyway that's my story with the GR - others' mileage will vary, except, as I mentioned earlier, a lot of GRs out there look the same which can only lead me to think that the whole spindly seatpost thing is by design?

[@knife1406]

I was hoping you would comment on the american classic tyres, I hear about them from time to time, unless you thought it was just middle of the road?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

They’re fine. Affordable durable tires but no lightweights.

[@knife1406]

​@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks Russ!