otavioexel

hi Folks!

my Soma Saga frameset arrived today. amazing stuff!!!

if you look closely at the eylets, welds, painting, etc.. the general feeling you have is not that of a bike frame... it feels more like a smartphone and/or notebook, really amazing!!! I can't wait for the components to arrive (I'm here in BRA) so I can have it built. if it rides as well as it looks... WOW!!!

I've never had/used/ridden a touring frame (or a steel frame) before. so I did a lot of research before I picked the Saga and I must say I'm very proud of my choice!

god job, Soma Fabrications, excelent job!!!

[]s,

PS: another package with the rims and handlebar also arrived today; both rims are bent, one of them is almost broken, the handlebar has a big (5mm deep) dent in it. and all I can think of that is: "thanks God the frameset is fine!" :-)

fietsbob

Taiwan's Contract manufacturers have the skills tooling and the Volume to make anything ordered.

DW99

Congrats otavioexel! Those are nice bikes, we'll be watching for photos. What color is it?

psy

Congrats ,gotta love new toys.looking foward to pics and a review on how she handles a load.

blauger

I bought a Saga last year and love it. Solid and a joy to ride. Despite my best efforts to destroy the paint job the worst I've done is lean it against a pine tree leaking sap! I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed mine.

WMcCready

otavioexel, Bought frame for # 1, Son last year, as a gift after completing Law school, took some time to get it done, and we went back and forth , over style of bars, he insisted he didn't want drops, his choice were Bull Horns, and he turned out to be right. I get on it now and, then it is a, great ride !

tarwheel 

Ummmm ... where are the photos?

otavioexel

hi Forvm!


thanks everyone for the nice words! unfortunately the rims have been damaged in their way (I'm in Brazil); so I won't have pics anytime soon... boy this is very frustrating!


I'd love to have your opinion on this matter (the damaged rims);


I bought the rims at Universal Cylcles; the guys there have been very helpfull so far: they asked for pictures of the damage, I sent them, I guess they contacted USPS and now I'm waiting; waiting... :-(


- any idea of how long I will have to wait?
- what could be the best possible outcome? new rims? refund? a credit in cash at Universal Cycles?


I ask this questions because it takes 4 weeks for an order to arrive here! I'd love to order my new rims *now* and (in case my claim with USPS succeeds) get a refund or a credit in cash...


any opinions you have on this matter would be very welcome!


hi DW99,


it's green, the so called "British Racing Green"; AFAIK it is the only color available presently; very very very nice!


hi WMcCready,


I agree with your son on drop bars; but I decided for a more upright riding handlebar than bull horns: the FSA Metropolis; has anyone here used them? I'd love to hear your impressions!



hi tarwheel,

I have been taking pics of the stack of components inside my colset as they arrive, seriously!
but so far I have refrained from posting them... :-)

[]s,

otavioexel

hi Forvm,
don't bother to reply! I talked with Universal Cycles (the guys there are very nice) and everything is resolved.

[]s,

Chris Pringle

Glad is gotten resolved. This time I suggest paying extra for FedEx, UPS or DHL. The longer they're in transit the more they risk being exposed to damages. Ask the shipper to reinforce doubly the packaging for int'l. Otherwise, you (they) might end up having to reship these wheels over and over. Not fun!

otavioexel

hi Chris!
I'd totally do that but Universal Cycles only ships large items through USPS. but I did ask them do add lots of FRAGILE marks all over the package. actually my "special instructions" could bring tears to one's eyes! :-)

[]s,

otavioexel

hello Forvm!

I re-ordered my rims today so I guess I have time to do some more international shopping (after the rims arrive I'll have to buy whatever is left here, at 2x the price). could you help me with this additional shopping? please...

- the Soma Saga has downtube shifter bosses; what is the name of that "cable outer stop" that you attach to the said bosses? I bet Chain Reaction Cyles sells it but I can't find because I don't know the name!!!

- what is the headset specification for the Saga frame? I've never had to mail-order a headset before and I'm feeling lost! I've read here that the FSA "The Pig" fits but I'd like to be able to choose more freely;

- I see people discussing tires, frames, racks, etcetera here but I see almost nothing about saddles! most saddle talks here are non-leather related! OTOH almost all pics are of bikes equiped with Brooks. can I assume that Brooks rulez and picking a saddle is a no-brainer?

again: thanks for any help! :-)

[]s,

xyzzy834

I used Shimano ST74 cable stops. They're cheap.

Any 1 1/8" threadless headset will work. I used the silver FSA "The Pig" because of the deep cups and oversized lower bearings but it's overkill in the Saga's thickly butted headtube. The lower logo is easily removed with a razor blade for a nice clean look.



Saddles are a very personal choice. Lots of people like the Brooks B17 saddle, but it doesn't work for me. I don't think picking a saddle is a no-brainer at all.

WMcCready

@ Universal, look at Charge saddles, ( i think they are from a British Co., mfg in China) they are a cheeper alternative to Brooks,

otavioexel

waiting is so frustrating! I wanto to be able to post pics of my build just like everyone else!

can you spot the difference? the pedals arrived today!

[]s & sorry for the waste of bandwith...

Chris Pringle

Patience, Ottavio! I know the feeling. Before you know it, you'll be riding your nice Soma!

alan s 

Soma Saga arrived today. holly ****, it's gorgeous!

Still trying to figure this one out . . . holly tree??