The width would kill it. The Soma doesn't have the room in the frame or fork for fat tires. That plus the canti's and barcons are why I didn't pull the trigger. I've looked at the Nano a few times,but comparing the geo chart to my Qualifier,I think it would take a bunch of mods to get it to fit right,and I've already got projects stacked up. But at least I've got my Hooligans.

you might be surprised what you can fit, I have taken to running big tires at high pressure on very narrow rims. on my bike I am running 1.95 maxxis hookworms on velocity aeroheat 406 rims at 24mm wide which forces them into a very round shape especially when pumped up to 100psi like I have them they are surprisingly narrow and being that it seems at least that neither of us have the soma bike in hand I don't think anyone can definitively say what would fit although if we were talking anything other than a slick such as a knobby tire than you would definitely be right, just my two cents. I still think the biggest problem would be the brakes but I think a properly motivated individual could find a suitable solution. btw I highly recommend trying a set of hookworms on your hooligans if you haven't already, they are fantastic high speed tires at max pressure!

smallwheeler yea it has nothing to do with rationality. I am the type who is not afraid to paint myself into a corner in the pursuit of what I want and I take risks that don't always work out. I am also willing to take a cheap bike and dump way too much money into it if I think it has potential. I really wanted a Hooligan but when I rode one and I really didn't like it, the geometry just didn't suit me, eventually I found my Origin8 Bully(a $315 sorta cheapy bike) and I loved it from day one. I thought it could become a great bike and $1300 dollars worth of trial and error later it is the best bike I have ever owned and you couldn't convince me to part with it. Now you could argue with me all day that the hooligan was a better quality bike and a better value but if I didn't like it whats the point, I think for some it is similar with the nano but to each his own.

P.S. I really want the soma but the Bully bankrupted me for the next year.........No More Bikes right now!!!

Make that +2

Hi
fellows
I been reading this post amazing what all of you have done,so now I also wants to get one mercier.I am not sure which side I need,I am 1,70cm,inside legs 76cm.I wass looking at my others bikes like my touring bike the top tube is 55cm (the frame is hand make going down like a mountain bike) my bike friday nwt the main tube is 53cm,and the bike I use for ride to work a road bike(I made modifications) the top tube is 52cm.And can you use wider tires like 2x1,75 schwalbe marathon puncture resistens
Thanks

It sounds like the 53cm Nano should be a very good fit, although the smaller frame could be made to fit if you'd prefer a particularly small bike for some reason.

Yes, 20x1.75 tires will fit.

So I think I will get the 53,it s not so easy to decide...maybe some one else is so tall like me 1,70cm and can give me

Yes, I'm 1.8m (6'), so probably the perspective of someone closer to your 5'5" height would be better, but I can certainly understand how a 53cm frame would seem large to you. If I had the same height ratio with any of my bikes, I'd think they were huge! Maybe the smaller size is better, and you can do as many of us have done, what Poguemahone calls going "up and out," with tall seat posts and long, high rise stems. It will probably make the bike feel sportier, more toss-able, and more fun.

1.7m: just a hair under 5'7", with a 30" inseam(76)
1.8m: just under 5'11"
You're 1.828 at 6'. Not trying to be nit-picky, but there's a 4" spread with tenth m's, so decimals are important.

So now I am more confuse...

Here's their geometry chart, showing standover height & other pertinent info.. With the 53, you'd have less than an inch of standover clearance. Probably better off with the 48.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...geo_chart.html

Yes, quite pedantic, since the accurate heights for both of us were stated, and the point of the post was proportionality. That 6' is 1.82m rather than 1.8 makes no difference to the point.

From bikediret they told me according to my hight etc I should get the 48cm.frame.So now need to find about shipping and after I will.go for the 48
Thans a lot for the help

Hi I ordered one so now I am looking what I need for the upgrade,can some one please tell me exactly about the rim tape there different width 15mm,18mm and 19mm
Thanks

I used Velox 16mm cloth, so the 15mm you're looking at should be fine. All it needs to do is cover the nipple heads.

Please be sure to replace the innertubes and stock up a couple back, as the original tubes are very low grade, and 20" prestas pretty scarce in most parts of the world. At one time I called 6 bike shops, and none stocked that tube, so I special ordered a couple to keep at home, plus one on the bike. The stock tubes I would not even keep as spares; just pitch 'em in rubbish.

I will drills the rims so I can use tubes with schrader valves

Are you just trying to make it more German?

That is a very worthwhile mod, 20" schrader tubes are way easier to find and a good bit cheaper. I converted on all my 20" wheeled bikes and dont regret it.

Here is my Alton Corsa 7 Speed Mini Velo that I picked up a couple months ago.



Modes done.
Innova Mini Velo 20" Tire(406/20 x 1.35)
Fenders (customized to fit)
Leather Saddle
Biltwell Inc. Kung Fu Grips
M-Wave Mini Front Pannier Bag Bicycle Rack (Black) modified to work on the back.
Reflective rim tape and decals.

Soon it will have a 53T/39T chainring and derailleur

Interesting setup; the rack was quite clever and sane. Seeing the UoM magnet on the fridge, are you rolling that here in A2?

I am not German but all my bikes got schrader valves

In the Howell / Brighton area, but I use to work in Ann Arbor several year back.

Ok I changed out the chainring (53T/39T), but still waiting on the shifter to install the front derailleur.



Does the chain length look right in these two pictures (Top on the large chainring and smallest cog, Bottom on largest chainring and largest cog). The reason I ask is because this is the original chain which when I measured around both of the biggest gears it looked to be two links longer as it should measure.

Chain on smallest chainring and smallest cog.



Before (old chainring 48T)

After (new chainring 53T/39T)

Chain looks fine.

Ran into a couple issues with the front derailleur when I went to do the final install. First thing was I bought the wrong one (3 ring), should of got a double ring one. The next was I couldn't get it to shift into high (outside ring) gear. Turns out my BB spindle was to long. I was able to fix it by flipping the spindle around which pull the chainring in enough so it would shift into high gear. Still need it a little shorter because I get a little bit of chain rub in the highest gear setting (large ring & smallest cog).

Here's mine, but give me a few weeks and it's going to get even better. Sorry if it offends anyone, but this is what I'm using as the base for my electric bike. Just waiting on the kit to arrive.

Which head tube and steam are you using,I just got mine and I would like to do it like yours are this parts normal size?
Thank you