Soma San Marcos 650b sportif build

The last bike I've found for my girlfriend was unfortunately too big, it got the right top tube length (51.5cm) and build as an audax frame which is prefect for commuting and long distance ride with a bit of luggage if necessary.

However it aspired that the Swinnerton frame I've found for her have an extraordinary steep seat tube that make it impossible to set the Brooks saddle as far back as possible (at least 76 degree), thus increase the top tube length to something like 54cm, because of the seat tube, and not being able to set the saddle back far enough, she get really bad pressure and pain on her hand no matter how upright the handlebar is;

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Edward%20Scobles%20MacBook%20Pro/DSCF6514_zpsff53dbd4.jpg

After a while looking for a perfect frame for her and almost resort to a custom, she have found one that look very good, and a Rivendell design to boot, the Soma San Marcos.

The smallest size accept 650b wheel and have a very relaxed seat tube of 71.5, perfect for a Brooks saddle with an inline seatpost.
The top tube is 53.5cm, but with the very slack seat tube, it's realistically 51cm.
It got a very long headtube, allowing her to slam the stem without looking all Rivendellisque, and the best part, it look in proportion;

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Edward%20Scobles%20MacBook%20Pro/photo-2_zps3a5a30d2.jpg

It also got those Rivendell lugs too, which look awesome, and still cheaper than a Rivendell/custom frame;

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Edward%20Scobles%20MacBook%20Pro/IMAG0546_zps67e144d5.jpg

She liked the Nitto moustache handlebar, but would like to have a classic drop bar which her last experience turn her right off them, just need to wait for my wheel to be build so she can have my old set.

Lovely frame Ed! And good work Kati!

where did you order this frame from? TFG? how much did it cost?

TFG and Brixton Cycles sell them, Mosquito Bikes also do too.

Very nice looking frame.

Ed, that's lovely

She finished the bike today, it got my old 650B wheelset from my new custom bike and a 38mm tyres by Panaracer.

11-28t 8 speed cassette with 46/30t crankset for all sort of application (her Joe Waugh got 52/39t with the same cassette) mated with shimano indexed downtube shifter.

she liked the handlebar (Nitto moustache) which is staying;

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Edward%20Scobles%20MacBook%20Pro/SDIM0030_zps5f3f100e.jpg

Grant Petersen may be considered as an oddball in comparison to other, but I geniunelly think he got it spot on with his design, especially the handlebar height which is "slammed" but still a perfect height, long wheelbase but oddly enough still feel nimble, and most importantly, no toe overlap.

• No. Toe. Overlap.*
  
  

A very big thing for those who always had it on smaller bicycle (especially with 700c), Kati liked how it ride, "very comfortable and the tyres absorb the bump really well", I had a go, and was fun to ride without feeling like a slouch.

Still got a way to finish it, hammered mudguard, different saddle (she didn't like the black), koolstop brake pads, cloth bar tape, Chris King headset etc. but so far very promising.

bar end shifters too maybe?

Once she see Scherrit for a second fitting (he drew up a geometry chart to help me find the right frame for her), she can decided whether she want bar-end or not.

Personally I prefer downtube shifter as it's less complicated, but bar end shifters on that handlebar is great, very Bridgestone XO-1.

This looks great edscoble, I have been thinking of buying a san marcos but now they have changed the wheel sizing I wasnt sure about fitting 650b to the larger 54cm frame

Mudguard and rack fitted, yet still no toe overlap.

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is that belleville bar ed? This just keeps getting better!