Searching for a ne "everyday bike"

[Susan]

Finally I received the frame today. Sadly as soon as I unpacked it I noticed that it was damaged during delivery. The dropout is bent and the paint is chipped on that spot.


I was sooo looking forward to building this bike next week.

[redrhodie]

Oh no! That's terrible! I hope you get a new frame fast! It must be even more of a pain to deal with this internationally.

[Susan]

I hope to get it replaced, but since the shop where I bought it is on holiday until April 12th I won't know what happens next until then. I also don't know how they/ParcelForce will handle the shipping costs or if it will be a problem that I accepted the delivery in the first place (the damage was not visible until I looked closer after unpacking the whole frame).
Sigh.

[redrhodie]

Oh, that sounds like torture. I hate not being able to deal with stuff right away. I hope the next 3 days fly by, and you get a replacement right away!

[Susan]

Just to give you an update - Velodrama (the Soma-dealer) kindly suggested that they would cover the cost for repairing the frame at my local bike shop.
My bike dealer told me that there is nothing wrong with the frame except the dropout needs to be bent back and the paint has to be redone, which would however cost about 50 - 100 Euro (which seems a lot to me for such a little spot?).
Now I have to wait what the guys at Velodrama think about that.

I'm still grumpy that my poor little frame was damaged before it even got its wheels

[redrhodie]

Well, it sounds like it's not a big deal to repair it, so hopefully it will get fixed quickly. I got a bike for my bf that came with a bent fork, and my lbs bent it back into shape. I guess that's the great thing about steel. Still, I was hoping they'd replace the frame for you, free of charge.

[redrhodie]

Have you gotten your bike yet, Susan?

[Susan]

Thanks for asking - but no, I still haven't got my frame back


In the meantime, I am looking for parts that I like. But I'm not so sure about a lot of things.
I planned to get drop bars after seeing your lovely Mixtes in the other thread. But I have never ridden a bike with drop bars and when I tried a friends bike with small drops, it didn't feel very comfortable for the city. On the one hand I think I might just get used to it, on the other hand, maybe flat bars and regular brakes and shifters are just better suited for the city where you brake and shift a lot?

And I am looking for fenders and a rack, I would prefer a more old-school look that would fit the bike, but I didn't find much when searching the internet.

[Susan]

No I didn't - thanks for this tip Muirenn. I like the rack with the plated finish on their homepage. I'm not sure if it will fit 700c tires?

I also found some nice racks on the electra homepage.

[Susan]

I got my bike this weekend! It rides great
I think the guys at my LBS did a great job in making my wish for a bike that can be ridden as a road bike and in the city come true.

Finally, I will have to put on fenders and a rack, but I will leave it this way until it gets colder

[jessmarimba]

I love it!! I want one now

[Sky King]

I know many people who own the same bike and love them, Here is a photo of one of my friends bikes, the bike hermit just switched her handlebars to the Soma Oxford and he is building up a rivendell for her to use as a touring bike and her soma is now more of the around town, ride to work, haul the kid bike.

[Reesha]

Wow, I love the combination of the natural rubber tires with the seat and paneling on your bike. Classy, classy, classy!

[redrhodie]

Yay! Beautiful machine! Have you ridden it yet?

[Susan]

I have only ridden it around town and it felt great - compared to my old bike it feels so small and light and pedaling is so effortless
I am looking forward to do a longer tour tomorrow.