The “B-Side” is Coming
December 10th, 2008 by ArleighOver at Soma’s blog the latest entry is about their B-Side. A long awaited frame finally is being said to be coming in “the spring.” What that means never really is sure. Spring could be February if you live in Georgia, or it could be April if you live in Boston.
There have been some changes to the soon to be released frame from the prototype we saw back in this PAST spring.
Changes from the concept prototype:
1. Allows for SS or geared set up with a track style dropout. Disc mount does allow removal of rear wheel w/o loosening the caliper.
2. Gusset for improved fork knob clearance.
3. Tange heat treated CrMo, instead of Pacenti Heavy Metal tubes.Things being left the same:
1. Same Carmelized Orange with Vanilla panel paint job which we got nice comments about
2. Geometry is roughly the same. To maximize standover we are using an extreme slope so a 400mm post is recommended for longer legged riders. This is similar to what Niner does, but less extreme.
3. Jason Grove built the concept with diamond-shaped cage boss braze-ons. We liked them, so we are keeping them.No pricing yet. Should be similar to the Juice though.
It is very frustating right now to be a consumer interested in the 650b movement. For the first time it would be faster to go to a custom builder, even with a long lead time, and get that 650b frame built of your choice. First Haro’s Beasley bikes were 6 months late and now Soma is a year into the buzz they started. Only to tell us that we are 6 more months until release.
Is it the dollar? Is it turn around time from over seas builders? Is it cost or the economy? I hope someone can chime in and explain why they create this great buzz to only let it simmer down. Keep it going, even if its going to be a long time. Give teasers, photos, specs and reasons.
What is RSS?
Get our articles in your inbox:
I wish they chose a more elegant way to gusset the HT/DT junction.
Its really going to be a “beefy” hard tail. I wonder what the end weight will be.
Are those the new more understated Silver Blunts on that prototype bike in the photo?
The Juice is a really nice riding frame but not exactly a lightweight. We’ll have to see how this turns out. IMO the proposed Black Mountain 650b is better spec’d with sliding dropouts. I’m hoping both will appear before next season is upon us.
That gusset won’t be as unsightly with the panel paint job.
Arleigh, one of the potential hold-ups that you mention is the lack of a 650b fork from the main manufacturer’s.
Amen. Having a few 650b forks would be awesome. In rigid.
Interested in 650b…..FORM Cycles has a 4-6 week leadtime and is producing 650b bikes. Soon to be seen at Single Speed World Championships…Prevail 650b with BB30, Belt Drive, Oversized headtube….all out of Titanium.
Good read … headline catchy … good points, some of which I have learned along the way as well (humility, grace, layoff the controversial stuff). Will share with my colleagues at work as we begin blogging from a corporate perspective. Thanks!