Soma Pescadero

The Soma Pescadero all built up and ready to roll through the woods. Photo credit: The Soma Blog

Soma plans to start selling its Pescadero frameset in March 2017.  The price has not been announced.

The Pescadero is Soma's update to the Soma E.S. ("Extra Smooth") road sport frame.  As we said back in 2009, the Soma E.S. "is a quality steel frame for someone who wants to build their own commuter or touring bike. It has a relaxed geometry, which should make for a comfortable ride."  David even snapped a photo of his sister's Smoothie and posted it here.

So why is Soma fixing something that ain't broke?  According to the Soma Blog, the primary reason for the update is that the new Pescadero can run wide, supple 42c tires.  To accommodate the tire width, the frameset fits 67mm long reach brakes.

On the topic of brakes, Soma Blog had this to say about the Pescadero:

Some people feel that long reach caliper brakes just aren't quite responsive enough.  I can't say that I agree with that, since I've been riding them for years, but to those people I'd say you have two options to consider:

Option 1 is to just go for the disc brake friendly Fog Cutter and embrace the future, man.  But if you're the wool wearing, pipe smoking, Robert Burns reading type of cyclist consider...

Option 2. Centerpull brakes! Remember those? Mafac, Weinmann, Dia Compe? Even Shimano used to make them. Anyway, Paul Components up in old Chico, CA makes some and they are just bitchin. Great stopping power, tons of fender clearance, stiff as a metaphor, and boy-oh-boy do they look nice.  We even included a special cable hanger in the back so you don't have to use one of those dangly ones.

Nice. This is some of the best bicycle product writing since Grant Petersen was at Bridgestone.  That line about the "wool wearing, pipe smoking, Robert Burns reading type of cyclist?"  It's like they really know us!  And speaking of Petersen, the Burns mention is the best literary reference used in conjunction with a new bike release since Rivendell came out with the Betty Foy, a mixte named for a character in a Wordsworth poem.

Here are the specs for the Pescadero frameset:

- Tange Prestige heat-treated butted CrMo steel front triangle; butted CrMo rear end
- Road sport geometry (inbetween road race and cyclo-cross bikes in handling responsiveness)
- Rear rack, front mini rack & fender mounts
- Designed with Paul Racer center mount, center pull brakes in mind. Also fits 57-73mm reach dual pivot caliper brakes.
- Lugged crown CrMo steel fork included
- Stiff and light Breezer-style dropouts
- 1-1/8" size headtube
- 27.2mm post size
- 6 sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61, cm
- 4.25 lbs. (51cm)
- In Colonial Blue

And here's some Robert Burns, circa 1786:

Lines To An Old Sweetheart

Once fondly lov'd, and still remember'd dear,
Sweet early object of my youthful vows,
Accept this mark of friendship, warm, sincere,
Friendship! 'tis all cold duty now allows.
And when you read the simple artless rhymes,
One friendly sigh for him -- he asks no more,
Who, distant, burns in flaming torrid climes,
or haply lies beneath th' Atlantic roar.