Built up a bike to get the wife riding. Picked up this Soma Groove and built with a bunch of spare parts. Still need to shorten the brake hoses, but she's been having a blast on it riding the mountains as is and then switching to the slicks for the road riding.
I finally took my first real ride with it this morning. It's a fun training bike, and it does scoot faster than my sussy. So far, my only gripe is the fork. I get the feel that the cockpit is too low because of the SID. I'm contemplating getting a 100mm fork at some point, and I feel that then the bike would really shine.
Faster is not always better, but it's always more fun
Just for some more info, I run my 4one5 frame with an '05 Reba set @ 85mm. It had a SID on it when I bought it. It was alright, but the SID didn't agree with my riding style and my weight! The Reba is great!!
I love the Soma frame and you can't beat the prices. Great build quality on the frames! I'm contemplating getting a Smoothie for the road.
Just for some more info, I run my 4one5 frame with an '05 Reba set @ 85mm. It had a SID on it when I bought it. It was alright, but the SID didn't agree with my riding style and my weight! The Reba is great!!
I love the Soma frame and you can't beat the prices. Great build quality on the frames! I'm contemplating getting a Smoothie for the road.
I finally got a Reba 100mm for the Groove, and now the bike is perfect. It still climbs really well, and the front shock is light years ahead of the SID.
Faster is not always better, but it's always more fun
I finally got a Reba 100mm for the Groove, and now the bike is perfect. It still climbs really well, and the front shock is light years ahead of the SID.
Sweet! I'd be curious to try my Reba @ 100mm, but it rides quite well @ 85mm Nothing wrong with the bike except the engine! I think my next change is going to be a 32/16 instead of a 32/17
the head angle is 71.5 degrees, so a longer fork is not a problem as slacker head angles. In addition, the BB is lower than most similar frames. In fact, on the 15", it is even lower. I put an 80mm travel fork on the 15", and I was having pedal strike problems with 170mm cranks. I switched to a 100-120mm Black fork with much better results. 100 - 110mm is probably the best setup.
I will use a Fox Vanilla 130 fork. Is it crazy to use a 130mm fork and shall I say my mech to short it down to 100mm?
When we put the fork to the frame the BB-drop was around 25-35mm. Is it OK or bad?
I'd say it may effect your steering more than you'd like.
I have a Soma 4one5 and use a Reba set to 85 and I could tell a slight steering difference between the 80mm SID that it replaced.
The frame is designed around a 80mm fork. This will give you some play room as different manufactures size their forks differently. Some 80mm as shorter or taller than others. If you don't mind what a 100mm fork does to the steering, go for it. I'd say that 130 would be pushing it.
Tnx!
somafab.com says A-C->440mm. My Fox has A-C=475mm but my sag is 30-35mm so, my 130mm fork will have a A-C=435mm when I sit on the bike. It feels like I shall try to use the 130 version...
Don't forget that sag isn't a static measurement. Anytime you unweight the front, your sag will lower. When you come down from a drop, the leverage on the fork will still be that of a 130mm fork, not a 80 or 100.
But the great thing is you can try 130, and then covert it to 100 and try that. You could even get some custom spacers and get the Vanilla down to 80 if you wanted.
I'm in the process of building a Groove and I'd like to know what bottom bracket spindle length people have used. There's no info on Soma's site. I emailed them but hoping for a quicker response. I've got an LX crankset with a 121mm spindle. For a more detailed explanation of my problem please view my other post here. Any input is valuable.
Well, I got the bike today. Havn't ride it in the wood but it feels nice after a bit stree ride. My 130 Vanilla seems nice for tomorrows technic trails.
Nice Groove. I just bought my second one last night used. Just curious, why are so many guys converting the Groove to 1x1 when the Soma 4one5 is the same frame with horizontal drops? I run 80mm or less forks on all my Somas. How did the 130 handle in the dirt?
- Scott
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I love the smell of Lemon Pledge in the morning...
So I ordered up a frame and it arrived Saturday from bikemania.biz (they had the size and color I wanted in stock, my main reason for going with them, but their price was also the best I found.) And looking at the frame, I have absolutely NO idea how to route the rear derailleur. I know it runs the length of the bottom tube, but where does it go once it hits the bottom bracket? Is there supposed to be some sort of cable routing there? I'm asking here because bikemania aren't responding to me, and I haven't heard a peep email wise from Soma...
"Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same."
- Oscar Wilde
There is supposed to be a plastic guide that screws into the bottom of the shell. If you can't get bikemania to respond, try emailing Soma. I've had good responses from them.
I know the guys who used to import Soma frames into the UK and every one they had through was missing the plastic guide under the BB. They had to buy them in themselves and fit them.
What you need is one of these - http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=FS1092
Just got my Groove frame yesterday and I've got a question about the cable guides for the rear brake. I can't get a hydraulic hose into them because they are almost fully enclosed!
I noticed in one of the earlier photos that the brake hose has been zip-tied to the frame. I guess my only other option is to cut the hose and feed it through, then re-fit and re-bleed?
EDIT: Nevermind, I had to shorten the housing anyway, so I threaded it through the guides at the same time. I was *very* careful so I'm hoping I can get away with out bleeding them (Formula K18). Build is going well so far, I'll post pics in a couple hours!
Here's my latest Soma Groove. Wasn't sure how about the carbon rigid Mosso fork, being a Clydesdale and all, but from the limited riding I've done on it the past two weeks, I've had no issues. Certainly lightens up the front end.
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- Scott
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I love the smell of Lemon Pledge in the morning...
Well, to close up, the Groove rides great with a 130mm Vanilla in front. With a wide riser it gives me great control over rough terrain. That said, I only use it for very technical riding on cliffs and very rooty trails. Dont be afraid to use a bit taller forks, even thogh I cant tell about long term stress och the frame yet. One year and counting
Nice. I am still on the fence between getting a groove or the voodoo bizango. In research I have heard more compliments about the ride quality of the soma. Decisions, decisions.
With the voodoo biz your getting better steal (Reynolds 853 vs. Reynolds 631 on the Soma) but you're also paying twice as much($623 vs. $350) I like 853 better, but not twice as much. You also have 100mm fork on the biz vs. an 80mm on the groove. From what I've read, the groove claimed weight is 4.25 #s and the voodoo is 4.4.
If you're set on 853, consider the Nashbar signature 853 frame @ $249 (if you ride a small or XL) or find a used Jamis Dragon on ebay or here obviously. I still like my old used $80 Dragon frame better than any of my Somas. It's the orange ride below.
- Scott
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I love the smell of Lemon Pledge in the morning...
Yeah Scott I have been going back and forth on these frames. I have a new 100mm reba waiting for a new frame (X-mas). Like Zorg in a earlier post I prefer a more upright riding position a think the Groove will be alright with it ( also a little more bb clearance). I like the lighter weight and I think the larger triangles of the frame (compared to voodoo) might provide a little smoother ride but I don't know. I like the bizango for a little more tire clearance (2.3) and the durability of the 853.
I'm 5'10" and am looking at a 18" bizango or 19" groove. I am out of luck with the nashbar.
Just for comparison sake, this is a new 2.25 IRC Backcountry on a 19" groove and higher volume 2.25 Geax Blades on my 19" 4one5 SS with a bit of room to spare (same frame as groove, sans the rear dropouts). 2.3s and 100mm Reba should be fine on either frame. Good luck in your choice. Post pics either way. :-)
- Scott
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I love the smell of Lemon Pledge in the morning...
Thanks for the info Scott. Another concern is the bottom bracket height. I hope with 100mm fork the groove will be at 12" or more. Any predictions?
Sweet ss by the way!
A buddy of mine just got a new Groove. Here are pix of mine (black, 2002) and his (blue, 2009). Both are 20" frames, but mine is rigged for SS with an air/oil fork. His is 3x8 with a coil/oil fork.
My wife has a 14" Groove rigged as a city bike (3x8, rigid steel fork, upright cockpit).
Here is my Soma Groove that I built as a travel bike. Picked up a new frame off ebay for $250 and had a framebuilder weld in some S&S couplers. The frame weighs about 4.9lbs with the couplers installed, but built up to a relatively light 23.5lbs with pedals. When not traveling I use it as a backup mountain bike, or a street bike with slicks.
Greetings;
Got a great deal on a new 09 Groove frame and built it up with a eclectic mix of new reasonably priced components plus some retro Suntour and Shimano. I'm amazed at the build and finish quality of Soma frames and am very happy with mine.
Regards
Greetings;
If the saddle height is right for you, why do you think you need a 19"? Your frame looks to be the proper size for you. Remember the effective top tube length of the Groove frames are somewhat short, and a 19'' frame will be shorter!!
Cheers
So I emailed Soma, and they simply recommended retiring the fame. It's out of warranty; the warranty is 3 years, I've had the bike for 4. LBS offered me a 2011 Kona Unit frame for $250 though, I think I'm going to take it and swap the compatible parts over. I've seen the light of the big 29er wheels
This is the first time I've ever cracked a frame, so I have mixed emotions. Happy that it didn't fail catastrophically; proud that I rode hard enough to break it; sad because she was a great bike.
So I emailed Soma, and they simply recommended retiring the fame. It's out of warranty; the warranty is 3 years, I've had the bike for 4. LBS offered me a 2011 Kona Unit frame for $250 though, I think I'm going to take it and swap the compatible parts over. I've seen the light of the big 29er wheels
This is the first time I've ever cracked a frame, so I have mixed emotions. Happy that it didn't fail catastrophically; proud that I rode hard enough to break it; sad because she was a great bike.
Poor girl!! You treated her wrong
But, I think it can be fixed. If you find a right welder and weld the cracks, poor Soma still can be used as a citybike or something like this.
Sorry Chap;
Those cracks do appear to be stress related, however can be repaired. I trust you did not exceed Soma's 80mm. fork travel limit as longer forks would indeed stress the head tube area. I weigh 220lbs. and have been riding my three year old Groove often and hard. It's still holding up well using 80mm travel forks. Soma's are wonderful bikes with excellent tubing at a great price. Good luck with yours.
Regards
The upper indication MAY be a crack - the lower one certainly doesn't look like a crack. a head tube fatigue crack (or overload) will not run transversely across the weld like that it would run around the weldtoe.
I would take the frame to a shop get them to take the paint off and MPI it - honestly that looks more like a coating problem to me rather than cracks in the metal underneath. I wouldn't do anything til you confirm whether they are cracks or not - if you can a find shop with and eddy current set you may not need to take the paint off. to confirm whether they are cracks or not. You may just have a $50 paint repair required, rather than $250+ on a new frame
The upper indication MAY be a crack - the lower one certainly doesn't look like a crack. a head tube fatigue crack (or overload) will not run transversely across the weld like that it would run around the weldtoe.
I would take the frame to a shop get them to take the paint off and MPI it - honestly that looks more like a coating problem to me rather than cracks in the metal underneath. I wouldn't do anything til you confirm whether they are cracks or not - if you can a find shop with and eddy current set you may not need to take the paint off. to confirm whether they are cracks or not. You may just have a $50 paint repair required, rather than $250+ on a new frame
Having broken a few frames in my life, I agree. Those look like cracks in the finish to me.
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Originally Posted by antman
The Reba is great!!
