I finally feel like I am at a place where I can actually ask a question and have it make sense. Researching bicycles has been arduous... so many numbers, variables, terms, etc. But I think I'm partly there.

I've built a few single speed and fixed gear bikes out of road frames I've bought on the cheap or had laying around. Some parts have been purchased, some have been yanked off of other junk bikes I've had around. I like building things, I build alot of recording gear... but that is another topic. So the DIY thing is appealing to me.

Anyway, after being dissatisfied with the ride, performance, weight and looks of these bikes I'm going to try to do it (almost) right this time. I say "almost" because doing it right would involve plunking down a ton of money for a complete bike. I think I have enough decent parts already to build up something pretty decent without buying a complete and having all this crap laying around.

Here's what I have / know:
--a Deep V Jalco flip flop wheel (16 tooth cog) and matching front wheel, both are 700
--A chain
--A crank and pedals from a junked bianchi road bike (40 teeth on the chainring). the brand is Sakae SA its 170mm (center of pedal to center of crank)
--I know that I fit a 57cm frame (seat tube measurement)
--bmx handbrake lever
--front brake from that bianchi junker (btw, the frame is trash, as is the stem, etc

After scratching my head for a long time, reading on here and getting frustrated. I just decided that I'm going to get a Soma Rush. I like the geometry, the weight seems low. Its fine, Its not the cheapest, but jesus I had to make a ****ing choice!!! (I'm kinda asking you here to NOT recommend another frame, heh, it took me long enough to get here)


So my shopping list should be:

the soma rush (and fork) for $429
(https://www.bikemania.biz/Soma_Rush_T...y_somarush.htm)

I need a headset for a 1" fork... how about this Miche PRIMATO ? (https://www.bikemania.biz/Miche_PRIMA...toheadset1.htm)

this Aheadset™ Brand 1” Headset JIS Size headset at nashbar could also work and is $14 cheaper!
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...ess%20Headsets

I need a handle bar stem... Nashbar Threadless Road Stem
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...20Road%20Stems

I need handle bars... I'm thinking something simple, dragster style that I can easily put a brake on...I'd saw these down.. https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...B%20Handlebars

I need a chainring with more teeth! Not sure what to get here....advice?

The only thing I'm missing is the bottom bracket... The Sakae crank arms have a bolt (not an allen bolt) where they mount to the spindle, there are also cups that screw into the bottom bracket with floating bearings (forgive my rudimentary explaination). I don't know the mating situation at the spindle, but I don't think it is the square piece that fits into the crank arm. Does someone know for sure or am I gonna have to take the crank arms off?

I assume that I will just buy a sealed bottom bracket and reuse my Sakae crank arms... I don't want to go with the cup and spindle system anymore (right?)




thanks in advance for your help, and advice. As you can see i'm trying to do this on the cheap and then replace from there.

Keep in mind that the Some Rush is measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat post collar, so keep in consideration that you might want to go the next size up. I have cane creak 1 inch threadless headset and a dimension stem, comes with a shim to fit the 1 inch fork. You can definatly for cheaper than the way I went. Stick to threadless since the soma fork comes unthreaded and its easier to set up that way.

Thanks Mike,

I think the nashbar stem i picked is for a 1" steerer tube.

Any idea on the bottom bracket?

what you've got listed sounds good so far. I believe the fork crown race on the Soma frame is JIS size which is smaller than normal, so you want the JIS headset. I wound up having to order a replacement race from FSA before I could install the headset on mine.

I built my Rush with the Miche group from Chuck's Bikes, and I like all of that stuff well enough. The Miche BB has done me fine for the probably 3 or 4 hundred miles I've put on my bike at this point, but people have mentioned reliability issues with them. They're only like, $24 or something, though.

As for headsets, I went with a Cane Creek S-2.

since the crank is a japanese one, you'll want to remember to NOT get a campagnolo bottom bracket, since it's a slightly different size square taper. cup and cone (loose bearing) bottom brackets are fine, easy to repack, and lighter than the cheapest sealed bottom brackets e.g. the $20 shimano UN52 which weighs about a ton. but it is a fine bottom bracket for a lot of uses. you should look it up on sheldon brown's website but i think, with a road double crank, with a chainring on the inside, you'll need a 107mm spindle. that's just off the top of my head, i could be way off.

re the above: if inner ring on a road double is 107mm, does that make outer ring 103?

I got a shimano 68/107 bottom bracket on mine. I run Sugino RD[which I guess are technically modified road cranks] on my soma.

I just got back from trackstar and had a good talk with the guy there. We got to talking about frame sizes... I came home and measured my inseam (jam the book, measure to the floor.....I'm 33 inches) if I subtract 2 inches (as per Sheldon's recommendation) that gives me a standover height closest to the 53 size frame (st length).

Should I go for the 53, or the 55...?? i'll skip the 57

no, don't listen to that guy. I'm sure he knows what he is talking about with fittings, but the Rush runs a bit smaller. I have a 31" inseam and I have the 55cm[s/t] Rush. It fits perfectly. I could have easily went with the 57cm and still have a comfortable ride. Stick with the 57cm.

Mike,

is that your pants inseam or the "book jammed into the crotch, measured to the floor - inseam" ??

thx!

Dudes, here're my experiences. I ordered my 55 frame from mike at bicycle station... for a good price! I brought my cranks, drops, rear wheel and seat to him and they built it up. Things are BUSY and hectic at the store so it took awhile to get it, but i did get it the day before the tour de brooklyn (target date) and I rode it in that with no problems... My ratio is NICE, 46 / 16 (i believe) I threw a brake on there and i'm all good to go. risers are in the mail.