by Clifford Lee
SOMA Fabrications has expanded its cyclocross line-up with a new frame for the dirt and gravel set called the Triple Cross. The new frame is made from American-made KVA MS2 stainless steel tubing, fillet brazed with brass, and sold with a unique unpainted polished finish.
Frameset only. Components and rust are not included. Soma Fabrications’ stainless steel Triple Cross disc brake cyclocross bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
The frameset was designed in Northern California with input from Tony Tom, who has been part of the local road and mountain bike scene for decades, and is the longtime owner of A Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito, California.
SOMA still offers the Double Cross that we reviewed very favorably in Issue 7, back in the summer of ’09, as an excellent steel ’cross bike that doesn’t break the bank. The Double Cross Disc came out shortly thereafter and you might think that the Triple Cross is a shiny version of that, but it is designed to be a bit racier with a steeper seat tube angle and a longer top tube giving a more forward position, yet with a 6mm shorter wheelbase. Combined with a 7.0cm bottom bracket drop, 4mm lower than the Double Cross, this bike is perfect for gravel events and modern cyclocross courses.
Soma Fabrications goes upscale with the stainless steel Triple Cross disc brake cyclocross bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
At $1995 MSRP, the price climbed compared to the Double Cross, but it’s understandable considering the material, construction and polish. Still, given the construction details of the frame, it still seems to be a good value for stainless, consistent with SOMA Fabrications’ other offerings… But it must be said that $2k puts the frame well into the custom builder price range (without the extra cost of stainless).
The Triple Cross is available as a frameset only, tipping the scale at 4.0 pounds even in a 56cm size. It has a straight 1 ⅛” head tube, so disc fork choices are a bit more limited since most new ‘cross disc forks are coming out with tapered steerers. Two choices available from SOMA are the Double Cross steel fork, and an aluminum steerer-equipped Tange carbon fork.
Soma Fabrications’ stainless steel Triple Cross disc brake cyclocross bike with nude brass brazing. © Cyclocross Magazine
We reached into the Cyclocross Magazine parts bin, with some help from Merry Sales, distributor of SOMA Fabrications frames, to put together the disc brake-equipped Triple Cross for our usual thorough testing and review. Look for the full review of this unique-looking stainless cyclocross frame in upcoming Issue 23.
SOMA Fabrications Triple Cross Stainless Steel Cyclocross Frameset
Material: KVA MS2 stainless steel, brass fillet brazed
MSRP: $1995.99
Country of origin: China
More Information: SomaFab.com
SOMA Fabrications Triple Cross Stainless Steel Cyclocross Frameset Photo Gallery:
Clifford Lee
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