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Tag Archives: Soma Grand Randonneur

Cycles Toussaint

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Stonehog in Cycling

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

650b, biking, Chilly Hilly, Cycles Toussaint, cycling, low-trail, Rawland, rivendell, Seattle, Soma Grand Randonneur, stag, Velo Routier


Cycles Toussaint Velo Routier

I have been awaiting the Soma Grand Randonneur frame I had ordered a month ago, and suddenly got a wild hair to re-think the decision.  Actually, I lost patience as the rando season is swiftly approaching.  

Late last year, my LBS built up a few newer arrivals in the steel bike, low-trail, 650B vein.  I did some test rides, and came away with a definite feel for how these bikes differ from my existing rides.  In my weekly after-work stop, I was chatting with owner Kathleen, and discussing ordering a Rawland Stag (one of the bikes in this club I hadn’t ridden) when she suggested I look at the Toussaint again.  I quickly dismissed it as I recalled it being a 57cm frame, and feeling that was too small.  But the seed was planted.  I looked up the geometry again, and noticed it was not much different from my A. Homer Hilsen – 1cm less top tube, but the same stand over.  Hmmm – that’s why it felt so right when I rode it after the Soma.  

After much soul searching and pondering alternatives, it sounds like the bike I’ve been looking for was the Cycles Toussaint Velo Routier that was right under my nose for the past few months.  Kathleen is pulling some of the original build off it so I can use my existing cockpit and crankset.  I will pick it up this week, and I can’t wait to get it built up and out on the trail.  I may try to ride it on the Chilly Hilly this weekend – that would be amazing, but possible if the chips fall in my favor…

RidgeRunner Porteur

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by Stonehog in Cycling

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bike cockpits, commute, fog, Miyata, nitto, RidgeRunner Team, Seattle, Soma Grand Randonneur, Technomics


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RidgeRunner Porteur, a set on Flickr.

I promised some photos of the re-cockpitted Miyata, and it was light out when I rode in today. It was a nice misty day by the time I got downtown.  The fog started as I neared the Sound, and I was covered in wet mist by the time I got to work. Another beautiful Seattle commute!

Comments on the setup:

  • I love the way this bike rides, but it’s time to disassemble in anticipation of the forthcoming Soma Grand Randonneur.
  • I may keep the frame, but I have a feeling it won’t get ridden much.
  • The bottom bracket is too high, which pushes the seat too high – too much seatpost showing.
  • I would also put a longer stem on this beast – probably a Nitto Technomics 110.
  • The reach is a bit too short this way.
  • I also won’t do 175mm cranks again. After 170/171s it feels like I’m really moving the legs a lot!

Flickr Photos

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