Modified Soma Tradesman Cycletruck

I'm building a cycletruck because I'm tired of hitting the grocery story every day after work on my commuter. This will most likely be a slower-burn of a project due to cost, but I thought you guys might be interested all the same.

this project has shifted into being more of an homage to the aesthetics of the Schwinn Cycletruck of the 40s

I'll be having the frame modified a bit to start things off. Firstly by adding some sort of drilling/guides for dynamo lighting, and secondly by removing the shift cable stops in favor of full-housing guides. I'm not a fan of riding around on black bicycles due to low visibility, so I figured if I was going to pay to have the frame powder-coated anyway, I might as well change a few things.

No longer planning to have it modified or painted for now.

As for build kit; as stated above, it will have a dynamo hub (most likely a SonDelux) and the current thought is a White Industries or Hadley rear to match laced to 20"/26" Velocity Cliffhangers.

Drivetrain wise, I've currently got my eye on a 1x11 SRAM GX grupo, as the components have stood up incredibly well on the fleet of Bullitts our shop built for a local courier company.

Being a budding retrogrouch, I've decided to go with an XT 3x7 or 3x8 drivetrain controlled by either Suntour barcons or M700 Thumbies.

As for brakes; I'm thinking mechanicals as I've seen too many odd-ball issues with hydraulics working at our shop to bring a set home; TRP spykes Spyres are the current thought.

While running errands on borrowed cycletrucks, I've always felt weary of people digging through the contents of my box while the bike is locked up, so lastly ~~I'd like to forgo the typical basket in favor of a lightweight, waterproof footlocker/chest with a lid and a lock.~~

Fuck it, going with a big Wald basket afterall.

Updates soon!

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