Soma Mixte - build for Kirsty

Haakon

Keeps on digging
Finally pulled the trigger on a Soma Mixte frame - its now somewhere between the bike shop in the mid west and the freight forwarder in Florida...


Should build up nicely :)

Aesthetics are playing into this one, so am trying to find bits that keep it looking retro but are actually model light and nicely functioning.

Novatec make nice polished alloy disc hubs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tai...pm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.301.2e733c00iNgQTs

I'll build them onto some Grand Bois 650B https://grandbois.jp/grandbois/original-parts/rim/ with some 42mm Orange Velo tyres fairweather-touring-cruise-tire-650b-x-42-mm

Microsoft rear mech https://www.aliexpress.com/item/mic...8b-4b0f-b958-26b31afdd6c4&transAbTest=ae803_3

and shifter


and Hayes CX cable disc brakes https://www.gravelbike.com/second-look-hayes-cx-disc-brakes/


Seat post and stem I'll go cheap aliexpress jobs I think. Handlebar is a standard Orange velo city bike job too. Saddle, rear rack, crankset and pedals still subject to some aesthetic musings :)

Hopefully I can start building the thing in a couple of weeks!
 

Haakon

Keeps on digging
Got the frame finally last, but damaged... There was a handlebar loose in the box which I think smashed the paint - I was bloody explicit to them about securing the extra parts in the box to avoid exactly this... No response yet on the request for a replacement frame. Typical US customer service.

Anyway, it’s a super nice frame. Seriously light.



 

Haakon

Keeps on digging
Hubs are Novatec from China, rims Grand Bois from Japan, tyres are Soma made by Panaracer. Stainless spokes from China custom length.

The hubs had ugly red logos on them, but they were water transfers that came off with nail polish remover :)

Tyres are 650b 38mm - feels a bit narrow than I had in my head, might go for some Grand Bois 42mm but will see how it goes once it’s all together.



 

Haakon

Keeps on digging
Wonders will never cease - shipping insurance refunded me the cost of the frame and shipping!!!!

It’s been a while since I had a win... Now to get the chips repaired and kick in!
 

Dales Cannon

lightbrain about 4pm
Staff member
Looking good though I think a few of the words should be in another thread or are you waiting to post a job lot?

Why mechanical discs? I did the same for wifes bike first time around and regretted it. I was worried she would grab a handful of brake and bin the bike but actually the braking wasnt good enough. Shimano mechs. Fitted Deores on the new build and she is much happier.
 

Haakon

Keeps on digging
Looking good though I think a few of the words should be in another thread or are you waiting to post a job lot?

Why mechanical discs? I did the same for wifes bike first time around and regretted it. I was worried she would grab a handful of brake and bin the bike but actually the braking wasnt good enough. Shimano mechs. Fitted Deores on the new build and she is much happier.
Maybe....

Yeah, my first choice was to fit Shimano LX touring brakes. Basically SLX mtb brakes with with the longer curved lever for city bikes and in a nice silver that would work on this bike.

But the levers failed the aesthetics test... I was asked if the cable brakes with “proper” levers would be better than her current 1970s Peugeot with centre pulls and I had to say yes. Good enough she says and the ugly hydraulic levers were ditched. They may yet return.

These brakes are Hayes CX which are meant to be decent. We will see...
 
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Haakon

Keeps on digging
It’s been a long winter with little interest in riding so this sort of stalled. But finally finished it off.

It will be getting another rear rack though this isn’t really doing it for me aesthetically, but racks that clear the brake caliper are hard to find. Stem will need cutting too once we’ve settled on the fit.

 
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