2016 San Marcos Eroica Build

You already know how we feel about 650b tires. If you don't just google 650b and it should become immediately apparent. You can call it 27 point whatever if you like. So when we decided to introduce a new size for the San Marcos frameset, we went with 650b wheels.

As you may know, the San Marcos was designed by Rivendell and uses their lugs, but with Tange Prestige tubing like our other frames.

The current crop comes with a more Rivvy, frenchified fork, that we think looks great. Overall it's similar to the late Bleriot of yesteryear, but with a few nice features like front rack eyelets and a kickstand plate.

It's not low trail. That's kind of the point. The San Marcos doesn't need a front load to stabilize the steering, but it will still accept one as long as you remeber to steer the thing.

All the 650b San Marcos frames also fit Soma's Cazadero gravel tires. Now you can really have one bike for road riding, touring, brevets and commuting around town.

Even though the San Marcos is probably the coolest frameset we've ever made they just don't sell enough units to keep the project alive. So if you think you'd like to own one of your very own to keep and cherish forever and ever, you've got until the current batch runs out to make up your mind. Once these are gone, that's it. The San Marcos will be going to join the XO-1 and the Saluki in the place where awesome bikes go when they don't get the love they deserve. But don't worry too much, cause we still have a few.

More pictures of the builds from this post can be found at American Cyclery's Official Flickr account.

American Cyclery

San Marcos build via Velo +

Hey Evan,

Tim at Velo + in Lenexa KS here. Just forwarding along a nice little San Marcos build we put together here recently in case you want to post it on the bloggity blog blog. We'll have two more Soma builds we're really stoked about to submit to you soon too.

Tell Manny not to break any more bikes.

- Tim

Back In Stock Items! Plus San Marcos News

Just a quick note to let shops and consumers alike some items that have out for a long time are back in stock:

- Double Cross frame in ivory (middle sizes)
- Double Cross DC frames (middle sizes)
- Saga Touring frames
- Crystal Polypropylene Water Bottles (BPA-free)
- Urban Cross Levers
- Torpedo Front Lamps

We also got in a small shipment of Soma San Marcos frame set (designed for Soma by Rivendell Bicycle Works). Most have been already shipped out to those who pre-ordered. If you are near any of the following shops, check it out.

Rivendell Bicycle Works (of course)
Country Bike Shop, Celina, Ohio
Flye Cycles, Sunderland, Mass.
Cal Coast Bicycles, San Diego, CA
Cycology Bicycles, Maryville, TN
Bicycle Outfitter, Los Altos, CA
A1 Cyclery, Indianapolis, IN
Rosebud Bicycle Builds, Seattle, WA
Alki Bike and Board, Seattle, WA
American Cyclery, San Francisco, CA

Some of these shops only picked up one frame set, so I'd advise calling the shop before visiting.... because who knows, it might be already sold and gone. The San Marcos is not up on the website yet. (We have stopped updating the current site – instead putting our attention into speeding the launch of our new site.). But here are a couple of pictures and the geometry. Sorry, we have no more 54cm's in our distro's warehouse. Only 59cm and 63cm. More on order of course. Smaller sizes: We don't have a firm ETA on those and don't want to speculate.

There has been lots of speculation of whether this will ride similarly to our other road sport frames (the Stanyan and ES). We can easily say the San Marcos is easily its own beast. Not just because it sports gorgeous Rivendell lugs, but because it is at its heart what Grant Petersen of Rivendell believes a good road bike should be: Smooth and efficient on the black top, can fit wide enough tires to give extra comfort (and take on smooth fire roads), and excellent rider position for long rides. It has rack and fender braze-ons, kickstand plate, and pump peg and a longish wheel base, but it is NOT a dedicated touring frame...call it a "sport tourer" to use an old term. More information when we are ready to launch our website.