Triple Cross [RETIRED]
![](https://www.somafab.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/soma_triplecross_bboss700-370x300.jpg)
(RETIRED) The Triple Cross was designed with a slightly racier geometry than the Double Cross. Most notably it uses a lower BB height to enhance handling. While this might keep some of you off more rockier trails, this will help you shine in CX and gravel racing. Though we included fender mounts, we kept the rack mounts off to give it a more minimalistic design.
We were really excited designing with KVA MS2. This air hardening stainless steel is really amazing. The strength and anti-corrosion characteristics of MS2 is really more in the league of titanium than other steel micro-alloys. With MS2 you get the road connected feel that steel is famous for, plus snappy energy transfer without resorting to oversized tubes you need with titanium.
- Fillet brazed KVA MS2 double butted stainless steel tubing
- Disc brake-specific (international mounts on chainstay)
- Downtube shifter bosses
- Fender eyelets
- Two sets of water bottle bosses
- 1-1/8" headtube
- 68mm English BB shell
- 28.6mm seat collar and front derailleur not included
- 27.2mm seatpost not included
- Max. tire width: 700x41c
- Mirror polished finish (Yes it is more expensive to do, but we like 'shiney')
- Sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60cm
- Wt: 3.9 lbs (56cm)
- Limited run: 100 frames for 2013 (actually with the scarcity of MS2 tubing we will be lucky to make 100 frames this year)
Triple Cross [RETIRED]
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What is KVA MS2 stainless steel?
MS2™ is an air-hardenable, martensitic stainless steel with amazing tensile strength, offering excellent properties, including specific strength and stiffness, toughness and fatigue performance, in addition to corrosion-resistance.
MS2™ stainless steel bike tubing is produced with patented technologies and exhibits:
tensile strength > 200 ksi (1400 MPa)
elongation > 14%
hardness ~ 38-42 HRC
Learn more -
Why should I get this frame? It costs as much as some bargain titanium frames. And more than a custom TrueTemper OXPlatinum frame.
Depends on what you are looking for in a bike...
Bike Snobbery: First off having a stainless steel puts in a pretty small crowd. It is probably the material used the least after magnesium. That is because the material is expensive, hard to get, and difficult to weld. If you own a stainless steel frame, you know it was built by a skilled craftsman, not a robot. Don't get this mixed up with 304 stainless steel use in kitchen utensils. These are state-of-the-art alloys.
Custom non-stainless steel bike: You got us there. Don't let us stop you from getting something custom made, especially if you are hard to fit. Custom is "more special" than off the rack.
But while TruTemper Platinum is a great material, it doesn't have the longevity and performance of MS2. Also your favorite builder might have a waiting list.
Value: Yes, if you look hard enough, you can find a titanium frame is about the same price. But it usually isn't built with the nicer tubes and it'll have a bead blasted finish which is notorious for showing scuffs and nicks very easily. We mirror polish our frames, because we like the "shiney". Some custom makers will charge an extra $1000 to polish a titanium frame. If you don't need custom sizing, a mirror polish finish and fillet brazed stainless steel frame for about $2K is very fair deal.
Artistry: We can probably look at the lovely "stack of dimes" welds of a Moots all day long, but we think a skinny tubed fillet brazed steel frame has a charm all its own. You can't fillet braze titanium. -
Why no rack mounts? Is Soma losing its soul?
We consider this a special project and not representational of our core line. We want this to be more of a competition-worthy frame and most racers don't want a full complement of braze-ons on their bike. Against convention, we kept the fender eyelets, because we feel a serious racer should be able to be used for training in the rain. If you really want to add a rack to the Triple Cross, you can by buying a seat clamp with rack mounts on them or get P-clamps.
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How do you care for an MS2 stainless steel frame?
The Triple Cross has a clearcoat for some added protection for the frame and decals. If you ever decide to strip the clearcoat, please visit the KVA Stainless site for information on how to care for your MS2 frame. More detailed info at http://www.kvastainless.com/care-maintenance.html