Pulled the plug on a frame

[nuliajuk]

I hope this won't turn out to be an expensive mistake, but I took the plunge and bought a Soma Buena Vista frame off eBay yesterday. I've been a bit dissatisfied with my commute bike for a long time now. It has a harsh uncomfortable ride and the only things I liked about it were the disc brakes and the internal gearing. I won't be able to have discs on the Soma without having the frame modified, but I think I can live with that. Since it has horizontal dropouts, maybe I can even turn it into a "fixie" in the winter time. (And yes, I've ridden fixed gear before, I used to race on the track years ago.)
My better half thinks I should have just bought the Kona Coco we looked at in a bike shop a few weeks ago. And it's true that I'd get a complete bike for just a bit more than this frame costs, but when I looked at those straight aluminum forks, I just saw the same hard ride that I get from the straight aluminum forks on the present commuter.
Anyway, I have the whole winter to pick up components for it and decide what I want on it. Maybe I'll go with trekking bars and a single chainring/10 speed cassette mix.

[Loshi]

I can relate to your post. I'm just a beginner rider, and I saw an acquaintance beautiful road bike. I have never ridden one, but as an impulse I bought a frame in July for a fall project.

I have to say that the only thing we have left to do is handle bar and cabling.

Yes, no doubt buying a bike from the store would have been cheaper. However, this is my bike. I made every decision on it. It was put together for me. There's a special connection that I already have for this bike.

I can't wait until I go out on my first ride on it.

[Loshi]

16828
A picture of my project :)

[Wahine]

I think you'll be very happy with your choice. I love my steel commuter and as you said, you can always have disc tabs put on it if you decide you want to go with discs later.

[nuliajuk]

Ah, an Orbea. I rented one in the Pyrenees in 2010 when my better half decided that struggl...er, riding up the Col du Tourmalet would be a fun thing to do on vacation. :) Nice bike, pity the engine wasn't more powerful.