We love Soma frames here at VCB. Over the past 5 years we have built up several so I will now start a series of post on the builds. The first in the series is a just completed Soma Rush in chrome.

This gorgeous bike was built as a fixed gear here at VCB for Kelly by our master builder Perry Finley. She chose a black and chrome look which a creates a dramatic contrast. The dominant feature of this bike is the HED carbon fiber wheelset. Not what you would expect to see on a steel frame.

The black contrasting components include an All City track crank, Cane Creek head set, TRP levers accuate Cane Creek dual pivot brake calipers, and a Profile Designs half link chain delivers power to the rear wheel.

Kelly chose to adapt the quill stem to the more modern threadless stem to match the other bikes in her collection.

Acquired this frame set through an eBay auction years ago. It has been built as the closest thing I get to a performance road bike for the last 2 years. Older Dura Ace square taper 53/42 crank with Phil Wood bottom bracket. New Ultegra derailleurs, Rivendell silver downtube shifters. 32 spoke Ultegra hubs laced to Mavic Open Pros (a $100.00 CL find) wrapped with 35 mm Soma brick red tires. Dura Ace levers acuate VO CNC machined Gran Comp brake calipers. Dura Ace seat post supporting Brooks Pro saddle in honey with matching bar tape. I have enjoyed the bike as built but have been thinking that I would be better served with a compact crank. I was ready for a make over on this bike so here is what I have come up with.

Going from the polished look of the DA crank to the dark finish of the new Ultegra components I decided to go dark on the trim also. Black Brooks Pro saddle and new matching bar tape. To finish it all off new 33.3 mm Jack Brown tires.

I have had the bike out for 3 rides in the 15 to 40 mile range, usually several climbs involved and first impressions are super. The gearing makes so much more sense for me and I have to admit I do like the indexed shifters.

PureFix has been a very successful brand for VCB. In two years we have sold almost 100 bikes. At $350 you get an introductory level steel frame fixie with budget components. I have been planing this build for a while with all premium components.

We have been quite busy through the winter getting stock ready for the spring rush. Having the shop floor fully stocked gives me time to work on some of the higher end of the collection. This De Rosa Nuove Classico from the late 80’s came in equipped with Dura Ace 7400 and mismatched sew ups.

I took the bike apart then touched up a few nicks in the finish. The bearings were all in excellent shape so all parts were cleaned in solvent before reassembling with fresh lubricants. Wheels were rebuilt using new Macic Open Pro rims and stainless steel straight gauge spokes.

Panaracer skin wall tires, Newbaums yellow cotton bar tape finished with hemp twine and shellac, and Brooks Swift saddle all work together to complete the “Classic” look. This is one sweet ride.

58cm. Available for purchase $2500

I have been planning this build for over a year now and have been working out the details in my head. Having finally made all the decisions on components all that is left to do is order the parts and get going.

Starting with the frame set, a Huffy Catalina. This model was part of a program intended to move Huffy from a department store bike to a premium line.
Some details here http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk/details/huffy.htm

I acquired the bike from a junk dealer in Cincinnati OH. It was part of bulk bike buy where he was adding a few more bikes to fill up my load. We didn’t know what it was only that it had Campy hubs laced to sew up rims. Don’t think I paid but about $100 for it if that. I started to strip off what was left of the paint in preparation for the powdercoater. What I found was a beautiful completely chromed hand built Carlton. It had been upgraded from the original Williams cottered crank with a 1st generation Dura Ace model and a downtube sticker to go with it.

My first build up of the frame set was as a 7 seed internal geared rear hub with a double chain ring in front for a 14 seed bike chain slack was taken up with a Pauls Melvin. North road bars and a generator hub completed the crusier that was never ridden. This build will be a fixed gear birth with as much Dura Ace as possible to honor the 1st upgrade.

I selected High Flange Dura Ace track hubs over a year ago but could not make a decision on the rims. Mavic Open Pro….. Velocity Arrowhead…….VO PBR…..????????????????????
Then it came to me in a vision…….Sun CR18s………in 27″ to honor the original geometry. Well with that decision made I ordered the rims, Justin ordered the spokes and the wheels were built. Clad with Continental Gatorskins (27 x 1.25 tires are 32 mm) and I am stoked about this build. Parts on order include Nitto Craft stem, stainless steel straight bar, SKF crank bearing. Brooks stuff includes Swift saddle, Challenge bag & amp slender grips all in black. Stopping power provided by Vello Orange Gran Comp 660 CNC machined center pulls to honor the original frame designed for Winnman center pulls. TRP short brake levers.

Vic restored this Schwinn for the owner who purchased it new in the 70’s
Vic had it power-coated and the owner was very pleased with his project.

Spring is fast approaching… Vic’s been busy all winter long in the shop. He’s keeping more Surly’s in stock this season. Here are two offerings ready to ride.

2013 Surly Long Haul Trucker 56cm 700c Smog Silver

What we have to look forward to… more daylight, blue skies, warmer temperatures. Are you ready to ride? Stop in, say hi, browse & socialize looking forward to seeing you.

Perry

Made in France, 58cm, 12 speed

Campy shifters, derailleurs. Stronglight crankset, new chain, English bottom bracket new bearings, Weinmann 605 side pull brakes, mallard hubs, new Wheelsmith DB spokes laced to Mavic rims, new SS cables – new yellow brake housing – new yellow cloth bar tape – new Continental tires, tubes,cloth rim tape. Alloy stem, seat post, handlebars, pedals, chrome fork.

This bike has been thru the completed the process, taken down to the frame, all parts cleaned – frame polished, new grease, bearings, cables, adjusted properly. It’s ready for the rider. SOLD $575.

One of six builds using Soma Fabrications framesets. More to follow.