Touring - Soma Buena Vista as a light tourer - humour me!

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Monkey Face
01-17-10, 03:25 PM
Okay folks. At risk of complete humiliation can anyone tell me if the Soma Buena Vista would be any good as a long distance bike.

I'm not looking at it for audax or heavily laden touring - just gentle credit card touring, with a couple of lightweight bags. (Like a UK End-to-End even... 1000 miles in a couple of weeks.)

http://www.somafab.com/bvistapix.html

With drop bars (or Midge bars maybe), suitable gearing and a couple of those little Nitto racks, I can imagine it being a really characterful traveling companion.

Please tell me if I'm being ridiculous... I can take it! :o

int19
01-17-10, 04:16 PM
Do it and post pics! I'm building up an old Univega mixte with canti braze-ons as a commuter/touring bike for my wife right now...

Here's a nice touring mixte:
http://www.reneherse.com/sitebuilder/images/schott7342-600x450.jpg
Dave Nault
01-17-10, 04:18 PM
Sure why not. Many people have toured on single speed bikes. I can't say it's easy but it can be done. You just have to be willing to handle the difficulty of riding in hills and while it wouldn't be my choice, thats just me. Go for it. Some people have raced the great divide route on singles so if it's something you really want to do, who is anyone here to stop you?

martianone
01-17-10, 07:03 PM
Nice bike - do it !!
Your knees probably won't mind that much.
A 3 spd hub would probably keep the set up clean and help when the wind is blowing in your face while riding uphill.
Good Luck !
Monkey Face
01-18-10, 02:35 AM
No cries of derision... wow! Thanks everyone. If I told you I was (51 - going on 21... mid-life crisis!) and male, would that make any difference?

From what I've read on the interweb I gather in the US these are seen as ladies bikes, but here in the UK and Europe it seems 'acceptable' for either sex to ride one. I'd be interested to know if that really is the case.
martianone
01-18-10, 03:32 AM
No cries of derision... wow! Thanks everyone. If I told you I was (51 - going on 21... mid-life crisis!) and male, would that make any difference?

IMHO - just about any one over 49 wants to do this.

From what I've read on the interweb I gather in the US these are seen as ladies bikes, but here in the UK and Europe it seems 'acceptable' for either sex to ride one. I'd be interested to know if that really is the case.

At your age- I rode what I wanted and was comfortable for me; didn't [& still don't] care what anyone else thought I should ride.
Monkey Face
01-18-10, 04:10 AM
At your age- I rode what I wanted and was comfortable for me; didn't [& still don't] care what anyone else thought I should ride.

So I can put a triple on it then... and I quite fancy one of those wicker baskets up front... kidding. :D
martianone
01-18-10, 04:43 PM
So I can put a triple on it then... and I quite fancy one of those wicker baskets up front... kidding. :D

Dear MF:
IMHO- the Buena Vista with a three speed hub, some roller brakes, moustache handlebar, brown or mahogany rims, seat and accents and bag, wood fenders if they would fit. Probably choose 32 mm tires and have gearing top out 65-70. This set up, mixte frame et all would be a nice light tourer or commuter for any gender.