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@leanon_me
Let me start out by saying that Soma have provided some of the worst customer service and delivery estimates I have ever experienced by any company ever. I look forward to confirming the other rumour about them providing really solid bikes / frames.
Whilst completing my own project, my older brother got bike envy. He had a Foffa, which was stolen last year and decided that:
a) He should get a better lock and secure his bike better
b) He should spend out and get a custom bike
He wasn’t sure of what he wanted and has little knowledge of bikes. I sent him a link to the Shand Stoater and he was sold, just not on the price. The initial brief was therefore ‘something like the Stoater, but not as expensive’. Knowing how little he knows of cycling and also how changeable he can be I advised the Soma Wolverine.
Key points for the bike:
Originally I was going to have the bike with a number of DMR specifications (bars, grips, cranks, pedals, saddle, seat clamp), backed up with Hope front hub and Thomson seatpost / stem, but I’ve had to make alterations since this first idea. I knew the frame came in orange and felt good about getting specific DMR components with orange and blue flashes (especially considering the orange frame and blue inside track of the belt)... Right up to the point where my brother decided he wanted a black bike. Luckily, Soma are now (eventually) doing the Wolverine in black.
The current specification (which should be the final specification):
• Soma Wolverine Frameset (52cm, Black)
• DMR Axe Cranks
• DMR V12 Magnesium Pedals
• DMR Wingbars
• DMR Sect Seatclamp
• DMR Stage 1 Saddle (although likely swapping to a Fabric)
• Thomson Elite Seatpost (330mm)
• Thomson X4 Stem (70mm)
• Gates Carbon Belt Drive
• Shimano Alfine Rapid Fire Shifter
• Specialized Sip Locking Grip (Changed from DMR Muta after a recommendation)
• Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Hope 1 1/8 Headset
• Hope Pro4 Evo Front Hub (28h)
• Shimano Alfine 8 Speed (32h)
• H Plus Son Archetype Rims (Black)
• DT Swiss Competition Spokes
• Schwalbe One 28mm Tyres
Of that list I am only now missing the cranks and frameset. I’m hoping the frame comes in before July. I’ve been waiting for it since March (the initial delivery estimate). Ironically my brother is going out to the US in June, but the price he can get the frame at out there is equivalent to the price I’ve been offered when the frame finally arrives here, which is hopefully before he gets back.