Ok, guys, I think I've found a much simpler solution. I can mount the brake inboard (forward) of the seatstays, instead of its normal outboard location. Since there are no cable housing stops/guides on the toptube anyway, I can route the cable housing appropriately. Thanks for all the alternate suggestions.

Update on the rear brake deal for my Moto Messenger. I've got a working rear brake now, although it looks like crap with the zip ties on the top tube and I've had to set it up with the front brake lever on the left, rear on the right, which is reversed from my normal setup. Installed the clanky 18T Shimano MX30 freewheel I had left over. Also, don't know if I'm going to bother reversing the rear tire. Gearing is 40 x 18 with a 700x28c rear tire, which works out to about 59 gear inches. Took it for a quick spin around the block, and it should be low enough gearing for when the panniers are loaded up. Taking a break now with a Dos Equis watching the Rangers beat the Tigers.

Over and out,

TT

Classic purple frameset with silver cranks or black cranks?

Silver. I use silver with dark colors and black with light colors.

Your answer.

I vote silver as well.

[MENTION=168526]TejanoTrackie[/MENTION] I wish I had seen your post earlier. A few years ago I had a similar problem and came up with the same solution. Rack was interfering with the brake housing instead of the brake arm.

^^^ Great minds think alike.

This is a good-looking bike! And holy **** you're tall.

hence altitude jokes at his expense, lol

[MENTION=168526]TejanoTrackie[/MENTION] and [MENTION=159729]hairnet[/MENTION], check this out. I'm not sure what exact mount he used, but it seems pretty nifty.

Looks fine for light loads but that was my commuter/errand bike and it would get heavy.

Woah, @thirdgenbird, haven't seen that name in a while

That bike Muffin Man linked to is hawt.

should i ditch my 11sp 105 STI shifters for some bar end shifters and tektro rrl-sr levers....?

Yeah, that or Gevenalles.

i must be the only person on earth that HATES those shifters....

my buddy loves them but i could never get on with them

i loved my barend shifter when my fuji was a 1x6, and im putting them on the bridgestone im building with soma porteur bars

one thing to consider is there is potential to hit the shifter with your knee if youre doing squirelly body english offroad maneuvers, i accidentally shifted a bunch of times at fairly ****ty times like uphill rock gardens or roots

I'm with you. I also love bar end shifters.

hey guise, if i end up building my XC mtb this winter, should i use the soma b-side as my first plan was, or should i get an open mold carbon frame from china for the same price, but literally half the weight?

my end goal either way is a highly flickable hooligan machine i can get rowdy on

I have no idea what you're talking about but yes.
then give me the ecr

Soma.

Should I spend about $200 for a Sugino Zen chainring and EAI Superstar cog to replace the perfectly good Sugino 75 chainring and Soma cog on my khaki Soma Rush just for the sake of bling and because I have nothing better to do with my money ?

lol

If you do, be patient for us to launch our new site.