Need Info on customizing my bike

[Rubylvr]

Hi All-
AFter a bit of time and 4 years riding, I have come to the conclusion that steel bikes are much more comfortable for me than carbon.
Ergo, I have decided on a Soma Smoothie frame, (based on fit, and affordability and local bike owner/friend can get it at cost), and I want to
build it up myself. So, ladies, what have you added to your bikes, other than custom wheels, which I already have, that you really love? Carbon
handlebars? Seat post? Speedplay pedals? I am going with a triple chainring, since I am 50 and need the extra gearing, and already ride another
bike with a triple.
Thank you so much for any advice, as I want to do my research before buying any parts.
Rubylvr and Soma lover??

[Trek420]

Hi All-
AFter a bit of time and 4 years riding, I have come to the conclusion that steel bikes are much more comfortable for me than carbon.

What took ya' so long? Welcome to the steel side. We have two Soma Buena Vista mixte's at chez Trek Knott. They are built very differently but I'll try to find a photo of the two. Racks? Fenders?

[Rubylvr]

Actually, I have a steel "Winter bike", a Jamis Bosa Nova, and I like it so much that I want to replace my Ruby carbon frame with
the Soma steel. I don't think I will have racks or fenders on it. Maybe fenders.

[Trek420]

Actually, I have a steel "Winter bike", a Jamis Bosa Nova, and I like it so much that I want to replace my Ruby carbon frame with
the Soma steel. I don't think I will have racks or fenders on it. Maybe fenders.

Jamis makes some very nice bike. Here are our Soma mixte's:

[Wahine]

I am also a lover of steel (and Ti but Ti is sooooooo expensive). I put a carbon fork on my steel frame all purpose bike. I love the flat top handle bars with compact reach. I am currently working on having a second set of wheels built for that bike, lighter and a little wider for gravel riding. And, I LOVE my disc brakes. But I don't think the Smoothie comes with disc tabs. Lizard skin handlebar tape is nice.

I am not a fan of speedplays but I'm in the minority.

[Rubylvr]

Thanks Wahine-
What should I look for in the carbon fork? There is a ton out there, and none of it makes sense to me. I haven't bought the frame yet, so can think of others, if need be. Is
your steel the Custom Tonic or the Moots? Why the compact reach brakes? Is that if your hands are small or large? What kind of disc brakes do you have? The ones on my
Bosa Nova are not very good. Would you still have disc on a "summer bike"? Sorry if this is too much...still learning.

[Wahine]

Thanks Wahine-
What should I look for in the carbon fork? There is a ton out there, and none of it makes sense to me. I haven't bought the frame yet, so can think of others, if need be. Is
your steel the Custom Tonic or the Moots? Why the compact reach brakes? Is that if your hands are small or large? What kind of disc brakes do you have? The ones on my
Bosa Nova are not very good. Would you still have disc on a "summer bike"? Sorry if this is too much...still learning.

My steel bike is the custom Tonic. I went custom because when I bought my bike I really wanted discs and it was hard to find a disc compatible cross frame.

The fork I used is a Winwood and to be honest, I mostly chose if for its looks. I knew I wanted carbon and I knew I needed disc tabs, after that I wanted the fork with the least amount of badging on it because I wanted my frame and fork to be very black on black.

As for the compact reach handlebars, that refers to the shape of the drops, not the brake levers. The different shape of the drops helps to prevent bumping your wrists on the upper part of the bar when you're riding bumpy stuff in the drops. Saves from some bruising.

I have mechanical disc brakes by Avid. There weren't very many options out there for road discs, so I don't think I had much choice. Whether or not to get discs... well that depends on what kind of riding you're planning on doing. I wanted to use my bike in all weather conditions, off road and in technical terrain so discs were the best choice. If you're going to be using your bike in dry weather on gentle gravel roads, you don't need discs and regular cross brakes will be lighter.