AdvXtrm

I have the small, and it's acceptable but not ideal. I don't like the way 700cc handles compared to a 26", and enjoy the bit of lower gearing 26" has.

AdvXtrm

Looks like Soma only sells frames, besides one bike listed on their site I'm not interested in. Some of the links on their page are dead. Are they going out of business?

I'd rather not build from scratch. I don't really have the time, and depending on what work the frame may require, the tools, such as bearing presses, and I don't want to pay someone else to screw it up. Would I need to "face" the component holes and such?

shelbyfv

"Component holes"?? Yep, best to let someone else build it for you!

Doug64

You only need to face the bottom bracket and the head tube. Most bike shops will do it for $10.

linus

What? $10? I thought slavery was illegal in the states.

AdvXtrm

OK, enough about building, it looks like specialty tools I don't have, and having to have other people do some of the work. If I decide to go that route I'll start another thread.

AdvXtrm

This bike that @mstateglfr recommended looks pretty nice, and a good deal. My main concern with it is ending up with a defect issue and it being from overseas. Beyond that the I don't want hydraulic brakes, but those could be easily swapped out for mechanical. Those are Deore hubs on this bike, correct?

Looks like they've made a few updates and upgrades to the bike for this model year.

Ridgeback - Expedition

BikeLite

Isn't 700cc about the same size as 27.5" wheels?

Doug64

I have a good relationship with my LBS, and it is $10 per item. It seems like that is their going rate when I have something done, including facing fork crowns. I do some work on bikes for disadvantaged folks, and the shop will do things like chasing threads, and other small things like digging through their parts box for an old set of v-brakes, or selling me brake and derailleur cables and housing from their bulk supply at a reduced price. They know that the people can not afford to bring their bikes in for repair, and I only go to them 2-3 times a year when necessary.

bikemig 

Sure I understand if you don't want to build it. But Soma is doing just fine and is not going out of business. These are great frames.

AdvXtrm

OK, that's good to hear. I know they make great frames, and if I were gong that route they'd be in the running.

J.Higgins 

Silkroad

This be my dream bike right now. I'd get it in Pinion drive.

AdvXtrm

You know you're killing me with that one, right? lol

I'm not familiar with that drivetrain though. Not for standard type it looks like.

geoffs

Have a look at 3Al / 2.5V Brushed Titanium Frames from $995
I just had a custom frame built for me vertically challenged wife as a replacement for her LHT.
Weight of the complete bike has gone done from 13.5kg to 8kg

J.Higgins 

Peter White has a decent price on them right now: Tout Terrain from Peter White Cycles

J.Higgins 

Pinion Drive is the major competition for Rohloff.

AdvXtrm

Looks like an amazing deal, but their lowest listed stand-over is 30.62", which is way to tall for my little stubs. lol When you mentioned you got one custom, did you mean lower stand-over?

AdvXtrm

OK, if I'm not mistaken, the bike can be ordered for a standard derailleur drive-train, am I right?

J.Higgins 

@AdvXtrm Yes you can get them in derailleur setup.

geoffs

My wife needed the frame made with a 75 degree seat post angle and 26" wheels to reduce toe overlap with the front wheel. Bike can be ordered anyway you want it.
This is mainly going to be used as a commuter as we tour on our tandem but essentially it's a touring frame with lots of tyre clearance, long chainstays, eyelets for rear pannier rack and mudguards. I've used a Whisky 7 fork as eyelets for panniers weren't required. For a touring fork I'd either use a Woundup Composites gravel fork or get a steel one to suit. Mark at Habcycles is helpful and good at keeping in contact with any enquiries

Snuts

Are you comparing this to another bike you now own (26") ?

-Snuts-

Tourist in MSN

It is a new marketing ploy, 27.5 sounds newer than 650b, so the manufacturers decided to start calling that size wheel 27.5 even though that size has been around for decades.

Bead diameter on 700c is 622mm, 650b is 584mm, and the common 26 inch used on older mountain bikes is 559mm.

AdvXtrm

Yes, I have a mountain bike with 26" wheels. Riding back to back the difference is huge. Yes, I can tell the difference the diameter of the wheels make besides all else that's different. And no, the mountain bike isn't going to work out as a tourer for me.

AdvXtrm

That has already been covered in a previous post here.

Rob_E

I've had a LHT (700c) version, though, and a Troll, neither of them stock. Both good bikes, but pretty different. LHT was solid, slow to speed up, slow to turn, smooth to ride on long pavement routes, and handled a full load very well. Lots of people take their LHT on gravel and don't mind it, but I didn't care for it on gravel, and I had to slow to a crawl for anything really off road. The Troll feels much more nimble, turns sharp, far less susceptible to pedal strike on uneven terrain, still carries a decent load. I've never tried to fit the Troll with a full touring load: front and rear panniers plus extras, but I've gotten it pretty well loaded with a hybrid, bike-packing set-up: rear panniers, handlebar roll, frame bag, fork cages. It handles the load fine, but I don't think it's quite as smooth loaded as the LHT was, but still reasonably comfortable. If I were going to load the bike up with a full, traditional, touring set-up, I think I'd prefer the LHT, otherwise, if there were significant off-road/gravel sections, I'd rather be on the Troll. I don't mind the Troll at all on pavement, whereas I don't care for the LHT off pavement, so it doesn't bother me to ride 90% pavement, 10% dirt/gravel on the Troll. Also, when you're at camp, and drop all your gear, your Troll becomes a nimble, rigid, mountain bike. The LHT remains pretty much as it was, but lighter.