This is my current city bike, a customized Trek Soho S single speed. It’s a 2008 model I bought last spring at Bike Habitat. Since then, I’ve done a lot of upgrading and adjusting to the bike to make it faster and more comfortable. Not that the Soho S needs it; out of the box it’s a great all-purpose commuter. It’s lightweight, super stable, and has almost no toe overlap.
Upgrades and more pics after the jump…
Up front, I swapped the stock bars and stem for longer 130mm Cinelli Groove stem, Cane Creek crosstop levers, and cork-wrapped drop bars with Velox plugs. The saddle is a super comfortable Brooks standard B-17. Pedals are black MKS Sylvan track with matching Christophe cages and straps. I removed the stock chain guard, and switched the wheels for a pair of Velocity Deep V‘s in the “spangled silver” color. Although the stock wheels have the same black Velocity flip-flop hubs, the Deep V’s are a bit sturdier and a little more narrow. The color is perfect; subtle yet sharp.
What’s next? I’m considering a low-cost carbon fork, although I’m not sure if I will like how it affects the handling, since the original fork has such a long rake. If anyone out there knows the rake of the stock fork (a Bontrager Edge,) please let me know!
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How does internal housing of a rear brake cable work for you?
Is it possible to change internal housing, or just the cable and housing is fixed to the bike forever?
Please reply..
cheers
Szymek
Internal housing is great – keeps the cable out of the way and looks good. Nice detail that’s usually only found on much more expensive bikes. It’s also easy to remove. The cable is held in place on either side with plastic grommets you can remove. So it is not fixed to the bike forever.
Was curious if you found out the rake for your fork? I was thinking bout getting a carbon fiber fork as well. Any luck on your search? Also what size is your bike?
Hi Joe, I never did figure out the rake. I upgraded to a true track bike, a Fuji Track Pro, that had the aggressive geometry I was looking for.
I personally would not spend more than $50 or so on a carbon fiber fork for the Trek – it’s a commuter bike, not a racing bike, so it’s not worth spending a lot money on a race fork.
Also keep in mind that the slack angle of the stock fork eliminates toe-overlap. if you get a steeper fork, you will have toe-overlap. of course all track bikes have massive overlap, but it takes a lot of getting used to and the average commuter would not enjoy that. your mileage may vary!
please send me a picture of your bike & your thoughts on it if you do go ahead and get a carbon fork: mechastudios *at* usa *dot* net. I’ll feature it in a future post.
Wondering if thats the stock seat post.. I’ve got the 2010 Soho S and looking to strap a Brooks B-17 Standard to it as well.. wondering if the stock hardware did accommodate the rails of that particular saddle (a fine choice might i add). and did it leave some room for back/forth adjustment?
Ill also be putting drops on mine – these photos confirm my suspicion that drops make this bike look way better (and way more comfortable than the stock risers)
Thanks for the pics
Yes, that’s the stock Bontrager seatpost. It should work with all modern Brooks saddles, and yes there was plenty of room for fore/aft adjustment as well as up/down.
the drops were a big improvement on the risers, but I’d also suggest trying bullhorns. I prefer bullhorns on all my single-speed commuting bikes, and I use drops on my multi-gear, long distance bikes.
I just purchased a Soho S and love it! I am wanting to throw on a set of drop bars on mine and came across your blog post. I picked up a used Cinelli groove stem recently ($10, woot). What bars are you using in this photo? Thanks!
-CM
Hi Chip – the bars in the photo were generic aluminum ergo bars. “Ergo” style drop bars have an angled area in the drops that’s designed to be more comfortable than the traditional rounded curve.
I don’t know the brand or model of the bars in the picture – i bought them on eBay and they didn’t have any markings on them.
Glad you’re enjoying the Soho S – this article was published four years ago but it’s still a top-selling bike for Trek. I guess that means it’s a truly “proven” design!
Thanks for the reply!
This is really my first bike, and for commuting around Raleigh NC, it is amazing. I love the simplicity of it. I’m sure I will outgrow it eventually, and I might even build up a better single speed over time, but for now, it brings a smile to my face during the ~50 miles/wk I ride it
I recently picked up all of the items needed to do my drop bar conversion: a set of cross levers, drop bars, a stem (cinelli groove), and some bar tape, all for $50! not bad i think. I’ll probably do my drop bar conversion this week. Thanks for inspiring me!
Cool! email me a picture of your bike when you’re done with the conversion and i’ll post it here on the blog. my email is mechastudios *at* usa *dot* net
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I have a Soho that I have been working on through the years. I’m looking to grab a new fork with a disc brake mount. Do have any suggestions? Did you end up finding the measure of the fork rake?
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