This bicycle has been revised - click here for the latest version

My latest ride:
A brand new Soma Smoothie ES (decal irregular; no "ES" and in Smoothie green - a savings of $150). Since this bike will be used for long haul rides, brevets, commuting, back country dirt and gravel, rain or shine, all around use and abuse, - plain welded steel sans ornate lugs fit the bill. Though I'd love to own a Vanilla with all the high zoot embellishments, it will have to wait until I'm feeling far less practical and far more flush.

The finished bike is just what I had in mind. Comfortable riding position, a good range of gears, higher volume tires for rough roads, and it still feels quick and fun.

Thanks to Jill at Proteus who helped me out with the Schmidt SON front hub and lights via Peter White. She was also my source for the Brooks B17, the noodle bars, and other assorted bits. Rivendell provided a few items and inspired the all twine HB wrap and shellac job, but the two-tone top concept was all mine. EBay bargains - the crank set and stem. Rear hub, seat post, pedals, chain, cassette, cages, rack, and bag were all in my "basement inventory".

My build/budget spread sheet. Who cares? - NP just scroll down to the pix

Frame -
Soma Smoothie ES 60cm "irregular decals" special. Prestige Tubing Fork IRD Mosaic Carbon 57mm reach 45mm rake 300mm alum-steerer
Wheels -
Front Hub Schmidt SON28 Dyno Generator 32h Rear Hub Chris King 9 spd cassette ti anodized Rims Sun CX18 32 hole Spokes Wheel Smith 14/16 DB Tires Panasonic Pasela 700x35c Rr, 32c Ft, Tour guard w/Kevlar bead
Crank set Specialized Triple 52/42/30 175mm Bottom Bracket Shimano Octalink came with the crank
Pedals switch between Look and SPD's both from my collection
Brake Calipers Tektro 521A
Brake Levers Cane Creek SCR-5
Handle Bars Nitto Noodle heat treated 46cm
Stem Deda Newton 120mm
Head Set Cane Creek S-8
Saddle Brooks B17 Champion Special Green
Seat Post Control Tech Silver
Front Derailleur Shimano 105 triple
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105 GS
Shift Levers Dura Ace 9 speed Bar End
Chain Shimano DA-9
Cassette Dura Ace 12-25 (for now anyway)
Rear Rack Blackburn Cross track
Bottle cages American Classic Fenders SKS 45mm black Front Light Inolight LED 20+2 Rear Light B&M DToplight Senso Multi

Go get a Smoothie ES, a great all around road bike at a reasonable price.

Erik

ethebull@msn.com