Good luck with your build, Susan. You will learn a lot about bikes in the process and it is quite fun. I'm wanting a similar everyday, commuter, off-road bike. There are so many out there that fit what I want but as soon as I check the geometry and TT length, I can cross it off my list, right Murienn? I fell in love with the Salsa Vaya and bought a size too big in a weak moment thinking it would work and it doesn't. I compromised because I couldn't find what I wanted with a short-enough TT. Now it's for sale on TE.

Please excuse the thread drift. Keep us posted on the progress, ok?
The Soma frame is beautiful.