IRD Mjölnir Single Speed Crankset

We just got a hold of these new prototype Mjölnir cranks from the IRD super top secret underground development labs. Basically, what they've come up with is a super bling, slightly retro, but 100% bomb proof single speed crankset.

It runs a 94mm bolt pattern, which allows you the option of running a smaller chainring than your standard four bolt MTB cranks. Plus it makes them look classic. They use a JIS square taper BB like the ones IRD sells. Works good and don't cost too much. Also having wide range of spindle widths available will help you dial in your chain line. I've been grinding up and down the hills of SF on this set and they feel stiff as can be.

This is great if you're trying to maximize your clearance or if you're running a 1x9/10spd drive train and want to give yourself some room on the low end for climbing. They will be sold crank arms and rings separately so you'll have a few gearing options to choose from. Since the crank arms taper very subtly outward you can get a super low Q-factor, even if you use a wider BB. They're designed for a single ring mounted on the outside of the spider, but you can mount a second ring on the inside if you want to run a Dingle Speed drivetrain. Just get longer chainring bolts.

I'm running them with a 30x16t gearing right now. These won't be available for a couple months, but when they arrive they'll be for sale through the Soma and IRD web stores and via your LBS.

In case you were wondering what a Mjölnir is and how to pronounce it, you can find more info here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mj%C3%B6lnir

I think it's a pretty apt name for these puppies.

http://awesomenator.com/fun/pop-culture-characters-with-amusing-and-personalized-bicycles/

Soma Saga 700c

Soma Saga 54cm, originally uploaded by FreeRangeCycles.

Check out this sexy Saga build by Free Range Cycles in SEA. Digging the leather accents!

Teaser

More to come...

It's Cold Outside! Keep Your Ears Warm!

Just in time for it to get really cold again, Soma has some nifty new merino wool winter caps.

They're warm and say Soma on them. Reversible too! This is the Herringbone/Black version as modeled by Edgar our warehouse manager. He looks very serious in this picture. Probably because it's freaking freezing outside.

Now available in Herringbone (pictured), Cream/Black and Olive/Black, all made in the USA.

http://store.somafab.com/cyclingcaps.html

Soma's Shiny Spaceship

What is this you might ask?

It's the new Soma Eagle bars, now in stock. It's a three piece welded Cromoly bar with chrome plating and a 31.8 bar clamp.

I've been riding around with these for about 5 or 6 months and I don't think I'll be returning them.

Use them with grips, or with bar tape. You get plenty of room to use brake levers + shifters + bell + whatever else you want to bolt on your bars.

Now available in the Soma Store and at awesomer bike shops everywhere.

http://store.somafab.com/somaeaglebar.html

Oh yeah, they'll also work with bar end shifters. You're welcome.

Soma Smoothie

Soma Smoothie, originally uploaded by DavidSagat.

Fast looking Smoothie build.

Soma Mixte Custom Build

Soma Mixte Custom Build, originally uploaded by TokyoFixedGear.com.

Another classic Soma Buena Vista city bike.

Soma Buena Vista from Toronto

Darren from Dream Cycle in Vancouver just sent us these pictures of this excellent Soma Buena Vista they built up for a customer in Toronto.

They built this bike at the request of their customers brother who lives in Vancouver. Some nice points on this build include the brass Tanaka fenders, leather saddle and grips, skinwall tires, a Shimano internal gear hub and Dynamo powered headlight.

If you're in the Vancouver area and looking for a custom built Soma be sure to check out Dream Cycle.

http://www.dream-cycle.com/

Wingmann Light Mount

Here's a product that a very select group of people should get very excited about.

I was looking for a way to mount a Soma Topedo Headlight to my Nitto front rack, and I wasn't really impressed with any of the options I found. The Torpedo is a little bit larger than most bicycle headlights so none of the available brackets gave me enough room to mount it to my Nitto rack without obstructing the I/O button.

After doing some poking around on the interwebs I found a number of people had hacked old centerpull brakes to mount up headlights to their front rack. I liked the look of these more than just using a bent piece of metal, but I just couldn't bring myself to destroy a perfectly good brake caliper.

I thought about just ordering up a spare piece from Dia Compe, but I realized it still would be too short to mount our headlight under my Wald basket. So I sent a drawing to our friends at Tange and they made up a few samples. Needless to say, I'm very please with how they turned out. They mount right to the M6 boss on my Nitto M-12 rack and voila! Plenty of clearance and it sits right under the basket. And better yet, I can easily get to the button to turn it off. The finish is mirror polished, with slightly rounded edges. They look a bit like a particular running shoe brand.

Of course these will work with all manner of headlights, including Dynamo lights like the Schmidt E6 and the Edelux. They can also be mounted to the fork blade braze on if you want it lower or you don't use a front rack. They're called the Wingmann Light Mounts, and they will be available to buy in the next couple months. Extra credit if you get the joke.

VIDEO: Ace Hotel Offers Hufnagel Bikes to Guests

Hufnagel Cycles for Ace Hotel Portland from Ace Hotel on Vimeo.

You can rent one of these superb bikes to tool around PDX when you stay at the Ace Hotel Portland. Frames are handmade by Jordan Hufnagel. Soma Fabrications was happy to supply some of the parts for this project. Parts spec. include Ahearne-MAP bar, Soma Porteur Rack, Yamada saddle, New Xpress tires, and Tanaka alloy fenders.

Soma San Marcos

Soma San Marcos, originally uploaded by olipop.

Bikeyface, Soma Buena Vista

Bikeyface, Soma Buena Vista, originally uploaded by Lovely Bicycle!.

A very nice 650b Buena Vista build from the author of Bikeyface.com

via www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_bicycle

Via Flickr:
lovelybicycle.com