Thinking of picking up a Soul Cycles Monk and buildng a summer commuter/fall racer up, probably 1x9 with a 42 and 11-27 and something similar. Anyone have any thoughts on the bike? With the 135mm rear hub spacing, what are people running?

Thinking of picking up a Soul Cycles Monk and buildng a summer commuter/fall racer up, probably 1x9 with a 42 and 11-27 and something similar. Anyone have any thoughts on the bike? With the 135mm rear hub spacing, what are people running?

I just got one from them... just had them build me up a wheelset too, XT hubs and Sun Ringle rims (their price was not bad)... going to run it 1x10 Campy (hand-down 2001 chorus shifters and centaur rear derailler 12-25, ultegra cranks with a TA 42 ring and guards on both sides) ... I figure I'm not going to spin out a 42x12 very easily (it's equivalent to a 53x15, and on broken ground or grass, 80rpm-->23MPH 120rpm-->34MPH) and if I can't push the low gear, I should be runnin....

it's a NICE looking frame, I can't wait till i finish building it up.... gloss white with white bar tape and all black components when i can help it....

-Alex
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Awesome, I was talking to Chad about a similar build. The wheels he speced out were also sun ringle, but sounded like 26inch rims, you are running 700s right?

Also, I'm kinda on the fence about running 1x10 campy or 1x9 shimano. Not sure if its worth the extra gear, since I can get higher level shimano stuff for what the lower end 1x10 would cost.

-zack

well, come to think of it....I'm PRETTY sure I'm getting 700c wheels...if not, Chad's going to hear from me :-p

in any case, the only reason I'm running campy instead of shimano is that I'm basically replacing the frame/fork on an eBay bike I bought, campy wheelset/shifters/rear derailler, and the price was really good...so now I'm stuck running the campy stuff, unless I want to sell ALL of it, and go back to shimano...but to be honest, I like being able to sweep-shift up AND down, when you don't have that front derailler to help out....and i like the feel of the hoods...so who knows....

-Alex
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Has anyone ridden a Monk who could give me some ride feedback? I hear their pretty stiff and heavy.

Thanks
Byron

well, i'll have a better feel next week when my wheels get in, but their design philosophy seems to lean towards heavy-duty builds, and the frame definately looks it... very strong big welds, big tubing....the frame is 4 lbs...but I want a bike i can take anywhere and do anything with, so for that, it works. I don't think it's going to end up being all that heavy though... I'll post specs and pics when i'm done building...

well, i'll have a better feel next week when my wheels get in, but their design philosophy seems to lean towards heavy-duty builds, and the frame definately looks it... very strong big welds, big tubing....the frame is 4 lbs...but I want a bike i can take anywhere and do anything with, so for that, it works. I don't think it's going to end up being all that heavy though... I'll post specs and pics when i'm done building...
I got one and it is a heavy duty bike. Nice welds, unique downtube, just a tough bike.

I just finished ordering mine, current incarnation is going to be a commuter/road race bike for the summer while my road frame gets built and then return to cyclocross duty this fall.

I'll put up some pictures as well when I get it.

I've had one since october 04. Comments. great value in a frame/fork setup. Incredibly stiff bb, all energy goes forward. Good clearance as well.
Other comments. they built the top tube upside down. abusive to shoulder the bike when there is an inverted triangle of a top tube. it digs into your shoulder. you need to put a foam there if you shoulder it a lot. or deal with the pain.
front fork is harsh. its oversized aluminum. singletrack/roots/stutterbumps....transmit directly.
paints holding up well. unique looking for sure. i even raced it in 2 road races and a tt a few weeks ago while i was sans road bike. lemme tell ya...its not so good at TT's (aka DFL...but i would have been first in the Cross bike with clip on aerobars 30-39yr old age group division), the road race was fine but you could tell there was extra weight on each climb.

summary: decent bike, few problems that can be worked around (carbon fork, small piece of foam), great if you get a good deal.