My original intention for this bike was to be a do it all adventure bike. However, after the build I had to make some adjustments. I replaced the seatpost with a promax carbon fiber post, then I replaced the stem for a longer version and carbon fiber. Then I bought a set of challenge gravel grinder 700x38c tires.
With the Kenda Karmas 1.9 tires the ride was supple but, obviously slow. I will change them back when I ride more single track. I was surprised to find that the carbon fiber bits and the 38c tires felt as supple as the 1.9's at nearly half the width. I think the combination of chromoly frame and the curved forks soak up the bumps pretty well. When riding over washboard roads you can barely feel them. I also think it is a combination of seat, carbon fiber post and stem. This is a very comfortable bike. I have added some blackburn frame and top tube bags.
This bike rides fast on hard pack and asphalt. I notice with the narrower tires I'm shifting less. That could be due to my fitness level now too. I'm running Cyclocross gearing up front mated to mountain gearing in the rear. I really wanted this bike to be a multipurpose machine. I have yet to do any mountain biking yet but, I will post more on that later.
There is a lot of farm and fields out by where I live. You could literally spend hours on these dirt roads. They are very flat, mostly hard pack and weave in and out between corn, grape, cotton crops and cattle ranches.
I think I have my bike dialed in for what I ride and what I want to ride. I'm glad I got the Soma the flat top fork really gives it an old school look. Geometry is comfortable and the frame for me has the right amount of springiness without feeling tight.
