Sutro Tower on SF Gate

Great article on our favorite SF landmark. The other one.

http://www.sfgate.com/

New Bars

We've got some new version of your favorite Soma Handlebars.

The Clarence and Odin Bars, now in Over sized 31.8.

I've been riding the Clarence on my mountain bike for a couple weeks no and I'm sold. Yes, they do look a little goofy, but that's part of their charm. The extra sweep gives you a super ergonomic hand position and tons of leverage.

The Odin is a more conventional flat bar option, but still boasts a generous amount of sweep to keep your wrists happy on those epic rides.

Our Best selling Soma Oxford bars, now in polished black anodized. Now you can keep your ride murdered out and still run bar end shifters.

Rock Lobster

Paul at Rock Lobster is something of a Veteran. He's one of the relativity few builders who work in both aluminum and steel.

Boxer

Dan Boxer is a relativity new builder, but since he came on the scene a few years ago he has produced one after another beautiful constructor style bikes; many for riders in Seattle where he works.

Boulder

In addition to building the Rene Herse reproduction bikes, Mike Kone also builds bikes under the Boulder Bicycle name. Check out some of his exquisite work.

Saga Build

Our friends over at Hawley posted some sweet pic of John's well outfitted Soma Saga from Portland. Check out the full post over at the Hawley blog.

http://www.hawleycompany.net/blog/

Ahearne

Our next stop on the tour of our favorite builders is Portland Oregon where Joseph Ahearne creates ridiculous steel sculptures, also called bikes. I've Joesph has been one of my favorite builders ever since I first saw his bikes back in 2006.

We love these guys!

It's been said that we are in the middle of a Bicycle Renaissance in this country. For the first time in 30 years there is significant interest in custom bicycles outside of racing. The last time there was this kind of innovation was at the advent of mountain biking back in the 70s and 80s. You might think as a one of the larger purveyor of semi-custom bicycles we would have it in for the small custom builders like these guys, but in fact it's quite the opposite. We value the small builders for their artistry and for the inspiration that they give us to produce better and more innovative products. The average Soma customer is more likely to be knowledgeable (aka a geek) about bikes and have a very specific goal in mind when they are building their bikes. Some people might even call them picky, but we're the same way about our own bikes. So here's some inspiration, while you're plotting your next build.

Sycip

Based just north of San Francisco in Santa Rosa, Sycip has been pumping out gorgeous bikes for over 20 years.