Favorite Bike Right Now
“The frame set is great. It has an amazing ride quality. Nothing like any other steel bike i have ridden. Super stiff while still soaking up road buzz nicely. I just put these risers on and I love them. So much fun. I wanna put some SPD pedals on but I can’t find any shoes that I like right now with all the shortages. But ya, this is pretty much my favorite bike right now!”
Joediben, r/FixedGearBicycle, Reddit
10/10 would buy again
I
also have a MASH AC-2, a Makino, and an Independent Fabrication Crown
Jewel steel road bike, so that's my *frame* of reference. To be honest
with you, the Rush is my favorite (and happens to be least expensive)
bike. Of course, a lot of the feel depends on the final build, esp.
wheels, tires, and to a lesser extent, cranks. I have a supple but not
super lively wheelset on the Rush (dura ace hubs, h plus son tb14 rims,
28/32 spokes) and it really accentuates the more refined qualities of
the frame. The bike is just so smooth and brings a huge smile to my
face. And somehow, I've also set some climbing PRs on it, so go figure.
The AC-2 feels a lot more "go! go!" but lacks the refinement and feel of
the Rush. I like them both for different reasons. Rush feels stately
yet still manages to be as fast as my AC-2 despite the latter "feeling"
faster.
Aesthetically,
of course this is super subjective, but it's gorgeous. The lines are
*chefs kiss* and I just love how Soma makes this frameset. As a brand
they have like zero ego (their guiding philosophy is "Practical,
durable, comfortable, affordable" - like literally nothing glamorous
about that), yet they've created such an effortlessly elegant, refined,
and yet whimsical and zippy frameset in the Rush. It's so friggin cool
and random that a company like Soma would make a bike like this! Damn,
they should pay me. lol
But
yeah, very high marks all around. Built it up about a year ago and it
still brings so much joy. Great ride quality. Tange Prestige tubing is
the sweet spot between lightweight and durable. Steering is very lively
and it has a v tucked rear end for responsive acceleration. Also, love
the nod to NJS in the side tack seat stays and Japanese-inspired head
badge. 10/10 would buy again.
Low_emergency_2400, Reddit
Mexico to Peru
“I've had my Rush, set up fixed, for about 5 years now and have ridden approximately 8-10,000 miles on this frame. It's the only bike I have saddled during that time, and thus, I've stretched its utility beyond that of a strictly track or city frame. The bike was my 10+ mile/day commuter for three years in damp Portland, OR, followed me to the stone streets and dirt roads of Oaxaca, Mexico for 18 months, and more recently was the frame I chose to ride between Mexico and Peru, clocking over 3,000 miles on that 10 week tour.
Riding hard is a passion of mine and the Tange CroMo frame has performed under significant stress through all riding conditions. The steel's flex and ability to absorb vibration does reduce rider fatigue, and has let me continue longer rides on rough roads and pursue mixed rides (pavement and dirt) with confidence. The frame's track inspired geometry is aggressive (more so than most cross frames), but still comfortable for longer heads-up commuting. And with the right stem/ handlebar/saddle combination, I was surprised to find what a worthy, capable single speed touring frame this is. As someone with a history of back problems, I was impressed beyond my expectations of how well the frame's geometry facilitates comfortable, 50+ mile rides, extended climbs, and on and off road agility at moderate to high speeds. Of course, as a track frame, it also positions the rider for optimal power generation and transfer, which makes it a blast to ride in the urbanscape and is another reason why I enjoy it as a touring frame--I can accelerate quickly and hold high speeds in the flats and rolling hills.
Regarding frame quality: After years of riding this frame into the ground, it refuses to be buried. The welds are precise and still flawless today. The tubes show no cracks, only chipped paint. The burly rear, horizontal dropouts are well-aligned and continue to take a beating without contortion, while the fork welds and front dropouts are of matched craftsmanship. I have never had to make any kind of repair to the frame itself. I have wondered if the diameter of the bottom bracket shell is slightly too large, since I have replaced the bottom bracket several times over the life of the bike and continue to notice a very minimal lateral play (of a millimeter or less) when shaking the crank arms. Whether or not that is true, it does not affect riding mechanics.
---B. Evans
Burly-Minded Ballerina
I'm a courier on a major university and bought my Rush frame back in May. This bike is my first fixed gear and I don't know how I came this far without it. Initially, the Rush was to be my 'workbike', but she has become my fair lady and I go nowhere without her. I have taken my rush EVERYWHERE. Delivering on campus, I ride anywhere from 20-60 miles a shift and sometimes I need to take detours and let me tell you, this thing has gone downhill on dirt trails, popped off many curbs, run through potholes along dark streets at 3 a.m., accidently clocked a few unsuspecting students and even been hit by a car. Since its birth, my SOMA Rush, this burly-minded ballerina, has never submitted to injury. It has seen parts come and go through its short, yet labor-filled life. Thank you for such a worthy bike frame. ---RR
