Yep, 8 speed. Surprisingly good traction, what with all that weight over the back wheel. The gearing does involve the odd bit of gurning on slow off road climbs. But on road it's ok, generally. But I've bought it for local rides and that involves a lot of flat, spent a lot of yesterday in an area that's probably 70sq miles that's formed from sea depositing soil/sand and full of forest tracks and twisty singletrack.

The only real gripe I have (bearing in mind I knew the limitations before I got it) is the bottom bracket height is quite low and had sent me over the bars a few times.

Seems reliable, I adjusted the gearing once. And have reset (piece of card technique) the brakes twice. Pretty much it. The hub should in theory be serviced soon iirc.

That Soma looks lovely.

Don't start talking to me about adventure bikes..... 'Heads off to Surly to gawp at the ECR.....again' I think I NEED bigger wheels on my mountain bike