The process of building a bike is a creative and invigorating one. Then you can to get on it and race the wind with it. Can’t do that with aquascaping or Legos.
@in_the_meadow_of_the_end ~ Let’s talk about the new bike: My
@somafab Wolverine. I built it up over a few weeks in February and March, and I’m really happy with the result.
I had been looking to build a new steel frame, disc brake road bike for a couple of years and had my heart set on Soma’s Fog Cutter road frame for a long time. However, with the understanding that it would be a while before I could get one with a matching steel fork, I started toying with the idea of building something more versatile with wider tires that could handle racks and fenders if I ever choose to go on really long rides.
Enter the Wolverine. I built it up with high gearing like a road bike, but the frame’s longer base and the 40mm tires can roll over rougher terrain. It’s still plenty fast on pavement. And I stuck as many silver components on it as I could to give it a classic look and differentiate it from contemporary gravel builds.
I made some compromises I wouldn’t have if I could have spent unlimited money, mostly in the drivetrain (but the
@newalbioncycles cranks are great quality at their price point). Getting used to shifting with bar end shifters has actually been kind of fun.
Specs:
- Frame: Soma Wolverine 4.1 B-Type with matching steel crown fork.
- Cranks: New Albion 50/34
- Cassette:
@microshiftofficial 11-36 9-speed (480% range with crankset)
- Pedals:
@mkspedal AR-2 pedals
- Bottom Bracket:
@interlocracing QB-55
- Front Derailleur: Microshift Sword FD-G7920
- Handlebars:
@nitto_handlebar_works All Road Plus bars
- Shifters: Microshift 9-speed bar end shifters
- Brake levers:
@tektro_official Aero Levers
- Brakes: Yokozuna Motoko cable-actuated hydraulic calipers and Shimano rotors
- Wheels: Soma Weymouth 700c rims laced to a Shimano Alfine dynamo hub and a
@velo_orange rear hub.
- Tires:
@panaracer_japan Gravelking SS 700x40
- Lights:
@buschundmueller IQ-XS dynamo headight and Toplight Line Small taillight
- Saddle:
@iamspecialized Romin I’ve had for like 15 years
