John P’s Soma Van Ness

John is without a doubt a connoisseur of the simplicity and pure aesthetic of a fixed gear bicycle. So when he approached me with the idea to build his dream commuter, I was excited for the opportunity.

Being committed to using the bike as his sole means of transportation, John insisted it meet very specific criteria. First, it would have to have a frame and wheel set that would allow for enough tire to smooth the rough topography that Bakersfield’s streets too often present. Secondly, it would have to have a frame geometry designed for long periods in the saddle. Third, it had to fit within his specific budget. Lastly, it had to be steel and it had to be classy.

Fortunately, the frame set that would meet his needs was not that difficult to find. Soma Fabrications, based out of San Francisco, manufactures a variety of frames, components and accessories. It was their Van Ness frame that really stood out to John and I. With a geometry similar to that of a road bike, track bike rear drop outs, brilliant white finish, and chromed head tube & fork crown lugs, the Van Ness was the most obvious choice.

After the frame selection all the other components were easy to choose. Most notably, John selected the San Marco Rolls saddle known for it classic styling and supportive comfort, Soma’s Hellyer track cranks for their strength, and Panaracer’s Pasela tires featuring Aramid bead and casing.

Since having completed his dream bike in February of this year he’s put on countless miles and undoubtedly turned as many heads. John however, is never completely satisfied; he still has plans to upgrade to a sleeker stem and headset, possibly even drop bars in the near future.

Specs:

Frame- 54cm Soma Van Ness, Chromed head lugs and fork crown
Headset- FSA “the Pig”
Wheels- Weinmann DP18, silver/silver, 17t cog
Tires- 28c Panaracer Paselas
Saddle- Selle San Marco Rolls in brown
Handlebar- Soma Sparrow, 52cm, wrapped in brown velox tape, shellac’d w/ cork barends
Crankset- Soma Hellyer Track Crankset, 46t
Stem & Seatpost- Kalloy Uno

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