Soma Buena Vista Mixte

[SadieKate]

Have you seen a built Buena Vista in person? I am currently enabling someone in the bike-buying realm and she wants a step-through frame (she is close to 70 and does not want to swing her leg over) but something much lighter than her current hybrid bike. I'm encouraging her to look seriously at the Buena Vista, but I don't expect her to commit for a couple of months. We have a local dealer who can order and assemble for her, but she is hesitant because she has it in her head that she should be able to go to the store and buy a complete bike. I've assured her that she will love a bike put together just for her!

If you do commit, your timing could be good for her to stumble upon a review and some pictures.

You will be happy to know that my freakin' first-off-the-assembly line Buena Vista frame is finally out of its hidey spot and ready for the build. Of course, I can't find the grips for the initial build (somewhere in the garage, don't ya know) and Velo Orange is out of stock on my chosen stem. But. This. Will. Happen.

I saw a Linus mixte at the LBS as I was running into the LFS yesterday. I only glanced but it looked nice but I don't think it had the gearing a 70 yr old would want in SLC. Probably has other options but I was focused on the LFS.

And, glad to hear the BJ is getting some attention.

[yellow]

Well, her hubby is insisting that even the XS is too big for her. I want to say she is 5'0" ish. She wants to be able to step through easily but also wants a lighter frame (she has a comfort bike now that has the loop-type step through and that sucker is HEAVY). I've encouraged them to contact Soma and ask how high the mixte bar is (they don't publish it on their website--they pubish a 25" standover but I really doubt that's to the mixte tube...seems high to me). Or go down to Saturday Cycles in SLC and talk to Mark since he knows everything there is to know about everything. SadieKate, is yours a S or XS?

FWIW, she doesn't really ride the hills, mostly the bike trail and then they ride when they are out RV-ing. I still think she needs lots of gears, though, since that is what she is comfortable with.

Based on our many emails back and forth, I fear that she will end up not getting anything (custom is not really an option). That makes me sad, because I think with the right bike she would enjoy riding even more and kick some serious booty

[SadieKate]

My BV is a SM.* The effective TT is darn near the same as the Racer X and my old Litespeed Unicoi. Oh yeah, and exactly what Tom Kellogg spec'd on my Spectrum.

I did buy it for exactly the reason so many people initially screamed. A longer than norm TT vs traditional mixte geometry, which I hate. No power position, and your butt and spine take a beating.

*Why did this just remind me that she has no name yet?

[yellow]

The name will come to you. And then you might change your mind.

I also recommended that my friend look at the Bike Fridays. She'd look much cuter on a Buena Vista, though.

[SadieKate]

I also recommended that my friend look at the Bike Fridays. She'd look much cuter on a Buena Vista, though.

Who wouldn't?

[Susan]

Well, her hubby is insisting that even the XS is too big for her. I want to say she is 5'0" ish. She wants to be able to step through easily but also wants a lighter frame (she has a comfort bike now that has the loop-type step through and that sucker is HEAVY). I've encouraged them to contact Soma and ask how high the mixte bar is (they don't publish it on their website--they pubish a 25" standover but I really doubt that's to the mixte tube...seems high to me).

I have the S frame (not the smallest one that would use 26'' wheels) and I am 5'3''. The XS frame is quite a lot smaller.
It's possible to step through the Soma frame when wearing a skirt, but I wouldn't consider it a real "step through" frame like the one you described. I own a comfort bike too and there's quite a difference between the step-trough height of that one and the Soma. While I always jump down the comfort bike by putting my foot through the frame while the bike is still rolling, I can't do this on the Soma where I rather get on and of the bike the traditional way over the saddle.
The Soma feels very small and comfortable, but is a lot more stretched out than the comfort bike. If you don't shorten the fork though, you can achieve a more upright position that comes close to that on a comfort bike.

[Susan]

I just measured my bike for you and the standover height (above the bottom bracket) of the 50cm frame with 700c wheels is a little more than 25''. It's sloping down to about 22'' next to the seat tube.

The XS frame uses 26'' wheels so you will achieve a lower stand over height.

[Sky King]

Yellow - are you close to West Bountiful? Mark at Saturday Cycles is awesome and I am pretty sure they carry Soma. He may have some more ideas for your friend.

SadieKate - We have grips in our online store - cork and the rubber/cork blend

The Bike Hermit just made some changes on Karen's Soma Mixie here is the photo. Karen toured in England for a week last year and said it was awesome. She just bought a renovelo from Rivendell so the Bike Hermit is building that for her new road/touring bike and she changed her handlebars on her mixie to the Soma Oxford Albatross
KnottedYet- don't you love Free Range Cycles, they sell a line of bags we are the distributors for and can't wait to go visit when we are in Washington next month.

[SadieKate]

SadieKate - We have grips in our online store - cork and the rubber/cork blend

Thanks, but I already have Riv's Tree Cork Grips for the final build after fitting. Somewhere in that thing we call the garage is a pair of brown leather grips for the initial build.

Now if you can give me a sweet deal on the small Zimbale saddle bag once I figure out the saddle . . . .

[Sky King]

Thanks, but I already have Riv's Tree Cork Grips for the final build after fitting. Somewhere in that thing we call the garage is a pair of brown leather grips for the initial build.

Now if you can give me a sweet deal on the small Zimbale saddle bag once I figure out the saddle . . . .

No problem!!! just let me know when and what and we can work out something sweet!

[yellow]

Yellow - are you close to West Bountiful? Mark at Saturday Cycles is awesome and I am pretty sure they carry Soma. He may have some more ideas for your friend.

Yep, already mentioned to her and yes, he carries Soma (and I mentioned Mark above as well--he's very familiar with my Bob Jackson and sold me my Salsa Casseroll). I think he has some Linus bikes as well. I've attempted to lead the horse to water...it's up to her to take the next step. I've waxed poetic about the shop. Hopefully she will go by this weekend.

BTW, Mark is moving (maybe already moved) the shop to SLC proper, not too far from my house!