Lovely Bike's 650b Tire Test Party

Our distributor, Merry Sales, sent a few sets of Soma and Panaracer 650b tires to Lovely Bicycle! all the way in Ireland. She found some fellow 650b riders to help her review them and posted her first report on the tires.

Soma Double Cross Disc 2016

The multi-duty Double Cross Disc gets a slight makeover this year going from the stealthy gray decals on gloss black paint to something -- that's also black and --- let's just say 50% less stealthy.  As we were taking the location photos on the streets of SF and in the lovely Presidio, we had more than a couple of people coming up to tell us "that's a good looking bike". Hopefully some of you will feel the same. Click on photos for closer viewing.

The Double Cross Disc can handle tires up to 700 x 42c. (38c if you want to run fenders).
The optional fork is compatible with low rider pannier racks.

The Double Cross Disc is sold as a frame set and you or your bike shop can build it to suit your style and
type of riding. This build has SRAM Apex shifters and derailleurs, a Sugino 50-34t crankset, 11-32t cassette, 
Avid BB-7 mechanical disc brakes. and Soma Cazadero tires. An ideal set up if your commute connects with a
few sections of dirt or gravel paths

Copper finished Soma Citoyen Du Monde pedals with MKS stainless clips -- look right at home on this
frame and with the copper railed Cardiff Mercia saddle.

Like the rest of our line, the Double Cross Disc is constructed from Tange Prestige double butted heat-treated CrMo steel.

Like reviews? Here's Max's long term review of his Double Cross Disc. (Disclosure: Max did purchase this frame at a discount, but we did not pay him cash for a positive review.)

So Blue: 2016 Buena Vista

We may have went overboard with the blue for 2016. But when the boss was concerned over "taking risks" with colors, what choice do we have? (We may have picked a fun color in 2014 that didn't go over so well).
The usually go-to color, black just isn't a good color for mixtes.
We just finished doing a few years of white.
Red and silver? No thanks.

"Wait, how about blue. Blue is a 'safe' color. It's calming. Lots of people like it or at least don't have strong feelings against it. Look at all the people wearing blue jeans." Different versions of this conversation happened while discussing different models.

So we ended up choosing blue for this year's Buena Vista, the ES road frame, the Sandworm fat bike frame and the yet to be unveiled Saga touring frame. Different shades and intensities of blues, but blue nonetheless. So if your favorite color is blue, this is a great year for you to get a Soma.

We call this blue, Tiburon Blue. Tiburon is a bayside town in Marin County. "Tiburon" means "shark" in Espanol.
The color reminds us of how the SF bay looks a sunny midday. It's a color that should appeal
to both women and men, if they have good taste. : )

Build was by American Cyclery for a client who either had her previous mixte stolen or damaged, Forget which.

Feeling Lucky? Enter to Win A Set of Shikoro Tires

Bicycle Times Magazine is giving away a pair of our fast and tough Shikoro's in their weekly Give-away Contest. Definitely better chances to win than Fantasy Football or the state lottery.

The Shikoro is awesome for training, touring, commuting, and even light gravel and is very supple riding for an armored tire.

Distributor Merry Sales is already out our first run of Shikoro (folding bead) in 3 sizes, so it might take a couple of months for us to get the winner their booty, if they choose one of those sizes.

"Shikoro" is the Japanese term for the neckguard on the back of a samurai helmet.
Contest ends Dec. 9. Good luck!

Guide to 650B Conversions on Soma Frames

Jason's Double Cross Disc 650b Conversion

[Parts of this article as been updated to reflect model changes] We get a lot of questions whether our 700c (or 26") wheel frames can be converted to 650b/27.5" tire size and what would the maximum tire width they can use, if it is possible. So we thought it would be nice to make a post covering this over our current line.


Model: Double Cross Disc    Convertible?: Yes
The Double Cross Disc (pre-2020) makes a great 650b conversion project. It's bottom bracket height is about the sames as our Grand Randonneur 650b frame, which means you can swap in 650b tires as narrow as 33mm and not worry about pedal strike while road riding. For light off-roading we'd recommend using tires 38mm to 47mm. You won't be gaining much in tire clearance as the Double Cross already fits 700 x 42c; maybe 3 - 5mm more. What you will gain is the ability to run fenders with 650b x 42 tires and more stable handling because of the lower bottom bracket. But a lower bottom bracket also means you need to be more careful about pedal strike on dirt trails.
Maximum tire fit with fenders: 650b x 45mm  
The 2020 Double Cross has a 4mm lower BB drop, so we recommend 650b tire at least 42mm wide. (updated 1/22)

Model: ES, Stanyan, 
Convertible?: Yes
The ES has been a popular bike for 650b road conversions. You would need to switch the brakes from 57mm reach brake to 73mm reach model such as the Tektro R-559. (Some rims may require 76mm reach brakes)
Bottom bracket height will be lower than with the average 700 x 23c tire no matter 650b road tire you choose, so avoid cornering like your doing a crit. We recommend 38mm to 42mm wide tires. Max tire fit with fenders: 650b x 38mm

Model: Wolverine 
Convertible?: Somewhat
Nearly any 700c disc brake bike can be used for a 650b conversion project. The Wolverine is no exception; however in our opinion there is very few compelling reasons to do.
It already fits up to 29 x 1.95" tires. Going 650b will not allow wider tires. Its bottom bracket height is more like a road bike than a cyclo-cross bike, so it's on-road handing is pretty good. Using a 650b x 38/42 will lower the bottom bracket height further where you may gain advantage in stability some desire for on-road loaded touring, but of course you'll also be reducing cornering clearance and off-road capability. Using 650b x 2.0" you get the about the same BB height as 700x32c CX knobbies ( just enough for some off-road fun). We recommend nothing smaller than 650b x 38mm. Best reason to convert is to be able to fit 2.0" tires with fenders. (updated 2/18)

Buena Vista Disc with 650b x 50 Cazadero tires

Model: Fog Cutter, Buena Vista (Disc)
Convertible?: Yes
Nearly any 700c disc brake bike can be used for a 650b conversion project. Using a 650b x 38/42 will lower the bottom bracket height slightly where you may gain advantage in stability that some desire for on-road loaded touring, but of course you'll also be reducing cornering clearance. We recommend nothing smaller than 650b x 38mm (updated 1/22)


Model: Buena Vista (Rim Brake)
Convertible?: Yes
42cm size (designed for 26" wheels): It is doable, but there isn't a compelling reason to do besides trying a larger, narrower, higher pressure tire. You would need to swap to 57mm reach road brakes, if the 73mm reach brakes you already have don't work. Bottom bracket will be raised, but it is a non issue in this case. There may be additional toe overlap with the front wheel. Max. tire size: 650b x  33  (fenders will not fit. This is a limitation of the brakes used; not the frame.)

The larger Buena Vista sizes are designed for 700c wheels: You would need to swap in 73mm reach brake like the Tektro R-559 or Dia-Compe 750's. The frame has a low bottom bracket height to begin width, so stick with 42mm wide tires to avoid pedal strike or just learn to check your pedal position when cornering.

Model: Saga Disc  
Convertible?: Somewhat
We don't recommend converting the 700c models, because it will lower the bottom bracket height too much to ride safely.
For the 26" wheel model, it is quite doable without much consequence. A 26" x 1.95 tire has almost the same diameter as a 650b x 42b. However running a 650b x 1.95" knobby will definitely take away the possibility of using fenders.

Model: Juice    
Convertible?: Somewhat
You can swap in 650b wheels on any disc brake 29er, but there isn't a compelling reason, except maybe you want a lower bottom bracket for road/commuter use. But your center of gravity will still not be as road-optimal as on our our Grand Randonneur frame or CX frames. Pre-2018 Juice does not have clearance for a 27.5+ (i.e. 27.5 x 3.0" tires) conversion. 2018 and later Juices will fit 27.5 x 2.8" tires. (updated 1/22)  

Model: Rush  
Convertible?: No
There isn't enough clearance for 38mm wide tires. You might fit 33mm tires, but in our opinion there isn't compelling reason to convert it. Bottom bracket won't be high enough to run this as a fixed gear after conversion.

Model: Pescadero    
Convertible?: No
The Pescadero already uses long reach road brakes. A 650b tire would require even longer reach rim brakes which don't exist. (updated 2/18)

Model: Soma Saga (Canti)    
Convertible?: No
Most cantilever brakes don't offer enough adjustibility to fit 650b rims. Some have had luck using brakes with long slots. We do not have an official brake recommendation. (updated: 6/16)

Model: Smoothie   
Convertible?: Somewhat
According to one Smoothie owner, there is just enough clearance for 38mm wide tires with 23mm wide rims. We cannot confirm this is so on all sizes of Smoothies though. (updated: 6/16)

Model: Double Cross (Canti)    
Convertible?: No
Most cantilever brakes don't offer enough adjustibility to fit 650b rims. Some have had luck using brakes with long slots. We do not have a brake recommendation. (updated: 6/16)

RIDER PROFILE: Vincent Lo

Photo by Mel Saldonido

We met Vincent on Facebook after he shared some beautiful photos of his Smoothie build.

Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Vincent Lo, AKA VLO. Somehow the whole VLO thing got me into the VELO things. I have Midwest/Southern roots, and lived in San Francisco for about 6 years. Currently, I am living in Orange County, California.

What kind of riding do you do ? 

If you have one, what is your favorite ride route?: On the weekdays, I commute to work about 30 miles a day, 15 miles each way. On the weekends, I will ride with my local bike shop on some club rides or with some friends on more remote rides. I love riding in the city/metropolitan areas like LA, where there are a lot of cars and obstacles that you have to be aware of and dodge to make it to your destination. Keeps me focused and my senses heightened.

What types of bikes have you owned or still have? 

 I currently have 5 ridable bikes, and probably another 5 frames and parts that I have yet to build up. Top 3 are 2014 SOMA Smoothie Shimano 105, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000 Shimano 600, 2010 Mercier Kilo WT. I have a high-end carbon bike too, but my true passion is in steel bikes. My favorite is the SOMA Smoothie because it's fun to ride, comfortable, and handsome. 

Details: H+Son TB14 on White Industries T11 wrapped with Veloflex Master 25,
Shimano 105 5600 group, Brooks B17 saddle and handlebar tape. Photo by Vince Lo
[click on image because its worth the zoom]

What made you choose a Smoothie and why did you custom build it as you did?

What started out as building a low cost, do-it-all, everyday commuter from random parts and take-off's from my other builds, this SOMA Smoothie quickly became a pet project after seeing how beautiful and well built the frame was. I couldn't let it be any ordinary commuter anymore (i.e. one that I would ride everyday, to and from work, lock up at poles, get beat up and scraped, and risk it getting stolen). While keeping the “do-it-all” attitude, it be came a capable, agile boy racer that would tear through urban streets and tackle the highest mountains. The build pays homage to the city of SF, from which the SOMA brand originates from, and my first destination in my California life. Like the city, which has an eclectic design and architecture fusing Victorian and modern eras, this bike combines the look of the golden years of cycling with modern amenities and comfort.

 So you are a graphic designer and you obviously do some photography.
What are some of the more interesting creative projects (professional or personal) that you are working on?

By day, I am a graphic designer for a "black business bag" company, and by night, I take on cool random freelance projects (many of which I cannot mention at the moment). I am also trying to start my brand of cycling jerseys and accessories, which I am calling VELOPRIME.

What you excited about doing, trying or going in 2015?

Still seeking the big adventure in 2015. Last year we did the 4-day hike on the Inca Trail in Peru. We'll see if we can top that this year.

Is there an activity, hobby or cause that you are involved in now that you would like to share?
Sneakers. It's a bad addiction. I have a continuously growing collection of retro runners, Air Jordan's, Air Max, Dunks, all that good stuff. If money isn't spent on bikes, it's on shoes.

See more of Vince's photos here

What's on heavy rotation on your music player? Are MP3's still around?? I just stream stuff: AH.fm, Groove Salad, Dubstep Beyond... and Taylor Swift. I can't start my day without Taylor Swift. Don't judge :D

What food or drink would you miss after the zombie apocalypse? Mexican Coke and burritos de lengua [Editor: Coca-Cola from Mexico contains real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. Available at many Hispanic grocery stores.]

Welcome Commuter Cycles to the Soma Family

Commuter Cycles in Brunswick, Australia bills itself as a "bike shop with a difference".

"We offer tailored servicing and repairs, reliable accessories and good value replacement parts. We take great pride in our workmanship and think bright lights, panniers and mudguards are cool. At Commuter Cycles, the workshop is the shop, so you deal with the same people who look after your bike.
Better still, Commuter Cycles makes looking after your bike easy by offering courtesy bikes, opening early and closing late, and we’re conveniently located next to the Upfield bikepath and Brunswick station."

Keen shop here....  One of the shop folks rides a Grand Randonneur to work. Plus they had the sense to order multiple Soma Wolverines in September. (We are currently suffering a Wolverine drought)

Soma Smoothie in Black

Here's our first build photos of the Slick Black version of the Smoothie road race frame. It features American Classic Victory wheels, Vredestein Freccia 23c tires, Foss tubes, Selle San Marco Ponza saddle and Ritchey Carbon post. The carbon fork is our own (This is the first time we've decided to do matching carbon forks for the Smoothie - not a big deal for the black we know, but the Smoothie also comes in white). Matching lugged steel fork is also available. Rounding out the build is SRAM Apex and Yokozuna Reaction cables.

Build courtesy of Citizen Chain