Soma Buena Vista Mixte

[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!

[SadieKate]

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

Cool! Thanks. I'm trying out a Brooks saddle for the first time, a loaner, which means I'll need to a) decide on the model assuming I like Brooks and b) color.

Decisions, decisions.

[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!