Prepped

Picked up the frame and fork from the LBS the other day. I dropped it off just to have the head tube and BB shell raced and faced, but immediately realized there was other work I needed them to do for me because I do not have the tools (or know-how for that matter) to do so. These tasks included reaming the seat tube, racing the fork crown, and installing the headset (and fork subsequently). After considering the time, effort and cost involved for me to apply frame saver I had the professionals do that as well. The assembly is coming along well so far. I've built the wheels and will have a forthcoming blog post on that process. I still need to true them though. A job I'm not looking forward to based on previous experiences with truing wheels. Little by little the Soma Smoothie is making its way to completion. I still have a few of odds and ends to secure - handlebar plugs, headset spacers and front derailleur clamp - that will hold up the assembly for a bit, but at the pace I'm going right now being short a few parts is only a minor bump in the road. The salmon pink color of the Chris King headset really pops out against the white frame. I like it. A lot.

The Gang's All Here

                   

With the recent purchase of a seat post, spokes and tyres, all major parts and components have been secured and the build is ready to begin. First up are the wheels. I've been resourcing a couple of reference materials to learn myself on the practice, or "art" as one master builder calls it, of wheel building. I will have a shop ream and face the head tube, face the bottom bracket shell, and press the headset. I'll then assemble the whole kit, have the steerer tube cut, and with some fine tuning it will be ready to roll. I figured the time to get to this point of the process would take 6 months or so. That was two years ago. Before putting even one mile on the bike a special relationship has already been established. I'll be damned if I give it a name though.