Soma post ride build

My original intention for this bike was to be a do it all adventure bike. However, after the build I had to make some adjustments. I replaced the seatpost with a promax carbon fiber post, then I replaced the stem for a longer version and carbon fiber. Then I bought a set of challenge gravel grinder 700x38c tires.

With the Kenda Karmas 1.9 tires the ride was supple but, obviously slow. I will change them back when I ride more single track. I was surprised to find that the carbon fiber bits and the 38c tires felt as supple as the 1.9's at nearly half the width. I think the combination of chromoly frame and the curved forks soak up the bumps pretty well. When riding over washboard roads you can barely feel them. I also think it is a combination of seat, carbon fiber post and stem. This is a very comfortable bike. I have added some blackburn frame and top tube bags.

This bike rides fast on hard pack and asphalt. I notice with the narrower tires I'm shifting less. That could be due to my fitness level now too. I'm running Cyclocross gearing up front mated to mountain gearing in the rear. I really wanted this bike to be a multipurpose machine. I have yet to do any mountain biking yet but, I will post more on that later.

There is a lot of farm and fields out by where I live. You could literally spend hours on these dirt roads. They are very flat, mostly hard pack and weave in and out between corn, grape, cotton crops and cattle ranches.

I think I have my bike dialed in for what I ride and what I want to ride. I'm glad I got the Soma the flat top fork really gives it an old school look. Geometry is comfortable and the frame for me has the right amount of springiness without feeling tight.

Soma Wolverine Build

http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/wolverine

I received these pictures via text from my wife. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to pre-sell the idea of me building another bike. She was cool but, I knew I had to buy her off and it would be honey do's for the next few weeks.

What I had planned to do was part out my all mountain Kona Honzo and then build up a do it all bike. I had always been intrigued with touring and had been reading lately about bikepacking.My Honzo was some what specialized for pointing it down mountains and it excelled at that however, it was not lightweight and not much fun on purely single track. I did love that bike and the idea of it but, I could never ride it to its full potential. Somewhere along the way I decided to build up a cheap drop bar 29er. I purchased a Gravity 29er SS, 

Gravity SS 29er

I put some Gary OS bars on it and found I loved it. So as proof of concept I decided to pull the trigger. I knew I wanted a steel frame and fork, a somewhat slack head tube angle, enough room to run 50mm tires, disc brakes, and the ability to put racks or attachments on it, also, I wanted to run fully rigid with dirt drop bars and did not want to spend an arm and a leg for the frame.

I looked at the Surly Straggler didn't like the drop outs, Soma Double Cross, not wide enough tires, Salsa Fargo too close to a mountain bike and expensive frame. I looked at the Vassagio Fistacuff etc.

I finally landed on the Soma Wolverine. I really liked the Geometry, loved the color and the frame price was right.

Just unboxed

Soma Wolverine Build
	Condition	Cost
Brookes B17 imperial narrow	New	129
Promax seat post 27.2mm	New	17
Shimano Downtube stops/adj	New	12
Celt seatpost clamp 30.00mm	New	12
Deda perferated bar wrap	New	13
Jagwire racer cableset	New	32
Salsa Cowchipper 44cm	New	75
Microshift barend shifters	New	69
Derailleur Shim	New	6
SRAM Rival Front Derailluer 2x	New	22.99
SRAM Rival CX crankset 46x36 gxp	New	142.86
Tektro RL520 brake levers for vbrakes	New	25.99
Kalloy Uno 90mm stem 6 degree	New	21.34
15mm - 9m qr adapter	New	23
Avid BB7 MTN Brakes	New	75
FSA Orbit Headset	New	29
Soma Wolverine frame 54cm	New	529
Kenda Karma 1.9 l3r KSCT	New	52.24
10 spd shimano chain	New	17.71
Lizard skins chain stay protector	Used
Wellgo c161 pedals	Used
XT shadow 10spd Der	Used
XT 11x36 Cassette	Used
Crane creek cross levers	Used	17
Easton EA70XC wheelset	Used
		1321.13

I started to assemble envisioning dirt and gravel roads, single track and bike packing.

Staring session

The Wolverine frame is setup to take hydraulic brakes. Why is that relevant? well if you wanted to switch over it will be easily doable. However, If you are building this bike and purchase a JagWire Road cable kit you will run out of cable before you are finished. This is due to a full length cable and housing for the rear mechanical brake. 

Soma Wolverine - Almost done!

I was prepared that night to ride my new bike. I was really bummed because I had to purchase more cable and housing. I decided to adjust the front and rear derailleurs and the rear brakes and take it for a spin anyway. I cannot believe how solid this machine feels. I just took a run around the block. More to follow.

2012 Kona Honzo

I had been looking to build another bike however I wanted to build something a little unique and fun. I researched a few All mountain hardtails Hona, Transition, Yelli etc. I was looking for steel but, would settle for aluminum.

I knew I wanted a slacker head tube angle for down hill stability, a short wheelbase or chainstays for sanppy handling and a generous standover for some room. So I put together a comparison chart of selected frame geometry. I used the bike I had already built as a comparison base the gravity p4. So began my search. I looked up retail prices for frame only of the bikes in the comparison list to get an idea of what It would cost. I really wanted the Yelli even though the top tube had an odd shape I thought it gave the bike character. I started searching and found one on Ebay however for some reason I got tight and wouldn't bid over 270.00... well lost that one for 5 bucks. As I continued to research all these frames I learned I was on the right track. These frames would be ideal any one of them for what I was looking for. I found a 2012 Kona Honzo frame on PinkBike. It was used and in really good shape plus it came with the headset and seatpost collar. After haggling back and forth a bit a deal was made.

Gravity point 4 build update

Build update - Made some changes to the build and lost 2 pounds. See specs below

 Kitchen shot

 A little help from my friend!

On the trail!

Gravity 29er build spec's
Type	Brand	Model	Weight	pct. Of weight
Front End
Fork	Rock shox	Recon Silver TK 29er 100mm	4.5	16.52%
Stem	Azonic	Barreta	0.562	2.06%
Handlebar	Spank	Spoon	0.727	2.67%
Grips	ODI	TLD Lock on	0.25	0.92%
Shift Levers	Shimano	Deore	0.2	0.73%
Front end etc. total			6.239	22.90%
Frame
Saddle	Sette	Amp	0.529	1.94%
Frame	Gravity	29er	4.1	15.05%
Headset	Crane Creek	Zero 10	0.145	0.53%
Seatclamp	KCNC	QR	0.05	0.18%
Seatpost	Easton	XA70	0.6	2.20%
Water bottle holder	Black Burn	competition	0.1	0.37%
Frame Total			5.524	20.27%
Drive Train
Pedals	VP Comp	VP001	0.776	2.85%
Chain	Sram	PC 951	0.7	2.57%
Chainrings	RaceFace	Single Speed 34t	0.1	0.37%
Bash Guard	Race Face	Light	0.209	0.77%
Bottom Bracket	FSA	Mega XO	0.9	3.30%
Crankset	FSA	Gravity	2	7.34%
Drive Train etc. total			4.685	17.19%
Front Wheel
Front Tire	Continental	XKING 2.2	1.499	5.50%
Tube frt	Tubeless	stans	0.125	0.46%
Front Brake	Hayes	Stroker Trail	0.9	3.30%
Front Wheel	Easton	EA70XC	1.9	6.97%
Front wheel etc. total			4.424	16.24%
Rear Wheel
Rear Tire	Continental	RKING	1.65	6.06%
Tubes rr	Tubeless	Stans	0.125	0.46%
Cassette	Shimano	SLX CS-HG-61 29er Cassette	0.7	2.57%
Rear Brake	Hayes	Stroker Trail	0.9	3.30%
Rear Wheel	Easton	EA70XC	2.4	8.81%
Rear Derailleur	Shimano	SLX	0.6	2.20%
Rear end etc. total			6.375	23.40%
Total			27.247	100.00%

I was thinking about converting from 9 speed to 10 speed

When I built up my 29er I moved my 11-34 9 speed cassette over from my 26er bike. I noticed that my granny wasn't as granny as I thought with the big hoops. I converted my setup to a 1 x 9 which was perfect for simplification and the trails I ride. I was considering going to a 1 x 10 setup mainly for the granny gear then I discovered the 29er specific 9 speed cassette. It gave me the granny gear I was looking for and saved me hundreds of dollars in switching to a 10 speed drive train. The 10 speed cassette provides a higher gear but, that isn't relevant to me.


Front Ring 34T rear 12-36t Cassette

Shimano HG61 9 Speed Cassette 12-36t

Shimano Deore HG62 10 Speed Cassette 11-36t

Ghetto Tubeless

Ghetto tubeless can be an inexpensive alternative to the stans setup. However it may not work for everyone. So be warned.

Parts
16oz Stans no tubes tire sealant
1 roll of 1" gorilla tape
Some oil free rags
Rubbing alcohol
2 Presta valves with removable core (can be cut from old tubes)

New tires work best but, is you are going to use the ones that are already mounted you might want to clean the rim and tire before dismounting the tires.

Step 1.

Remove tire/s
Remove rim strip

Step 2.
Clean the rim bead and the area where the rim strip was with rubbing alcohol
Clean the tire bead of your tires with rubbing alcohol

Step 3.
Apply tape to the center of the rim and overlap about an inch.
The main point is to seal the holes where the spoke nipples where inserted in the rim.
The Gorilla tape comes out to about 17.5 mm. make sure it does not interfere with the rim bead.
If the tape does interfere with the bead because the tape is two wide then use an exacto knife trim.
You can also use a tire lever to move and seal tape

Step 4.
Find the valve hole and make a slit in the tape where valve hole is.
Make sure valve stem is trimmed.
Insert valve stem into slit tighten the retaining nut.

Step 5.
Mount tire leaving a portion unmounted so you can pour in four ounces of stans. If you have the stans injector disregard.
Now completely mount tire.
Hang tire holding wheel. Pump tire with track pump. You might need a compressor. Fill tire to max pressure.
If it doesn't seal try using soapy water around rim and bead.

Point3: Unbranded Gravity 29er Point 3 Frame & Fork Tora TK

Gravity Point 3 Frame and fork

After I built this bike up from parts. I wondered how much it weighed. I searched the internet to find what the average weight for a hard tail 29er. I seen some unbelievable weights from 20 lbs and less to 35 lbs. I then decided to get my parts list and do some research. One of the key points that makes sense is the components/parts/spec and weight truly does determine the price of the bike.  I also found that most all popular bike frames are made in Taiwan or China and usually only by a handful of frame manufactures. Kinesis is one of the largest frame manufacturers overseas http://www.kinesis.com.tw/frames/S1025-2013.php. USA made frames definitely have their niche and produce some really sweet rides. Intense cycles comes to mind.



I tallied up the components and weights in five groups:

• Frame 
• Front End 
• Drive Train
• Front Wheel
• Rear Wheel

I'm sure it could be argued to divvy the components up separately but, I did it this way so to section off areas of the bike to see where I might be able to shave some weight.

A critical decision point, value versus cost. Race bikes usually are not intended to be super durable as the team sponsor has the dough to replace parts as needed. The primary focus of most race bikes is to make the bike light as possible and handle extremely well for the rider and that bike is tuned to the rider. Of course the bike must hold up to a number of races in succession but, how many Clydesdales race in comparison to a normal racer on a circuit. I would be afraid to ride a bike that costs 8k as I could not afford to fix the stuff I broke as a weekend warrior I'm 5' 10" @ 220lbs.

Analysis

Frame

In my build the frame accounts for 19.75% @ 5 lbs for the weight of the bike.  The frame only being at 4.18 pounds is not super heavy nor super light. This frame less the fork was around $144.00 after selling the Tora fork for $125.00. I could save a 1/2 a pound by purchasing a better frame I would love a Niner frame!

Had I known then what I know now I would have likely purchased a Sette Razzo 29er Alloy Hard-tail Frame @ $199.00 and weighing in at 3.5 lbs saving a 1/2 pound however, the chain-stay is .20" longer than the Gravity.

Front End

Wow, I could not believe that the front end less wheel and brake accounted for 22.66% of the bikes total weight @ 6.69 lbs. The over weight component here is the Fork when combined with the front wheel and etc. it would account for nearly 40.28% of the total bike weight at 11.89 lbs. The recon weighs in at a hefty 4.8 lbs. For 270.00 this shock performs flawlessly. I could shave 1 lb by changing to a Recon Gold tk for another $100.00. I would have to sell my recon silver first and likely would end getting maybe $150.00 for it on eBay. So in reality it would cost another $219.00 to loose a pound.

Drive Train

This is a hard area to cut weight first off I could go with clip-less pedals  but, then I would need to purchase clip-less shoes which ups the cost to save the maybe 1/4 pound weight  the shoes and egg beaters are considered in weight versus cost. For me that is not worth it. I could switch out the current FSA Crank-set for a Shimano SLX M665 Crankset w/ Bash Guard 8/9 Speed and save a 1/2 lb for around $200.00

Front Wheel

Right off I could replace out the slime tubes and go tubeless and loose nearly a pound for each wheel (14.4 ounces). If I did the ghetto setup it would barely cost anything other than gorilla tape and a used 26er presta tube and slime in a bottle. If I used Stans tubeless kit for $65.00 it would relate to shaving nearly two pounds of rotational weight for front and rear. If I were to change out my Easton EA70XC wheelset for Stans ZTR Arch EX 29 Black the new purchase price would be $595.00 plus shipping and tax. I could save nearly a 1/2 pound. The Easton wheel-set would need to be sold on eBay maybe getting $175 - 200.00 meaning I would still need to come up with nearly $400.00 not worth it to me at least now. I could shave a bit of weight with the Hayes brakes but, they perform flawlessly and are not part of the rotational weight of the wheel. When looking at weights of brake sets you are talking about ounces and grams in my opinion if you have a good brake set why change it for a few grams?

Rear Wheel

Basically the same story as the front wheel with exception to the cassette. Right now I run the 29er specific cassette which is already lightened up quit a bit plus has a 36 tooth cog. Here is another spot where there is very little difference in terms of weight unless you have the bottom of the barrel cassette. The SLX derailleur works flawlessly to save a few ounces/grams to go to XT does not interest me at least yet. Where else can I shave rotational weight? Tires. Over the current tires I have now I could shave 50-150 grams per tire.If I wanted to spend $65-85.00 per tire. Does this make sense for a weekend warrior who never races? To ride on a tire that has no protection flimsy sidewalls and little to no tread? Not worth it to me.

Summary

This is considering my build and recycling the parts I have and or selling them. You could spend much more on XT/XTR/XO or other higher end items.

• Lighter Frame save 1/2 lb - $200.00 and up
• Lighter Fork save 1 lb - $219.00 and up
• Lighter Drive Train 1/2 lb - $199.00 and up
• Tubeless 1.8 lbs front and rear - $ 65.00
• Lighter Wheel-set - 1/2 lb - $400.00 and up 

For $1083.00 I could lose 4 lbs off my current setup that is $270 per pound! I have built my current bike for around 1300.00. I'm sure I couldn't find a 26 lb better bike for that!

I think I will do the tubeless hack! and ride more to lose the fat on me.

29er build spec's
Type	Brand	Model	Weight	pct. Of weight
Frame
Frame	Gravity	Point 3	4.18	14.16%
Water bottle holder	Black Burn	competition	0.1	0.34%
Seatpost	Easton	XA70	0.6	2.03%
Saddle	WTB	Speed V	0.8	2.71%
Headset	Crane Creek	10 ZS	0.15	0.51%
Frame etc. total			5.83	19.75%
Front End
Fork	Rock shox	Recon Silver TK 29er 100mm	4.8	16.26%
Stem	Truvativ	Hussefelt 60mm stem	0.7	2.37%
Handlebar	Crank bro	Cobalt 3	0.5	1.69%
Grips	ODI	TLD Lock on	0.25	0.85%
Shift Levers	Shimano	Deore	0.2	0.68%
Bar ends	Titec	Shorties	0.24	0.81%
Front end etc. total			6.69	22.66%
Drive Train
Pedals	Wellgo	LU-A52	1	3.39%
Chain	Sram	PC 951	0.7	2.37%
Chainrings	RaceFace	Single Speed 34t	0.1	0.34%
Bottom Bracket	FSA	Mega XO	0	0.00%
Crankset	FSA	Gravity	2.9	9.82%
Drive Train etc. total			4.7	15.92%
Front Wheel
Front Tire	Continental	XKING 2.4	1.5	5.08%
Tube frt	Slime	29 x 2.2	0.9	3.05%
Front Brake	Hayes	Stroker Trail	0.9	3.05%
Front Wheel	Easton	EA70XC	1.9	6.44%
Front wheel etc. total			5.2	17.62%
Rear Wheel
Rear Tire	Continental	RKING	1.6	5.42%
Tubes rr	Slime	29 x 2.2	0.9	3.05%
Cassette	Shimano	SLX CS-HG-61 29er Cassette	0.7	2.37%
Rear Brake	Hayes	Stroker Trail	0.9	3.05%
Rear Wheel	Easton	EA70XC	2.4	8.13%
Rear Derailleur	Shimano	SLX	0.6	2.03%
Rear end etc. total			7.1	24.05%
Total			29.52	100.00%