Soma Wolverine?

[dkel]

How does one get the belt on and off for belt drive? I can’t see an opening in the frame (viewing on my phone, at least).

[hozn]

Usually a break in the ds seatstay above dropout; I can’t really see it in that pic (on my phone) either, buy I assume that is how this is working.

Edit: actually it looks like the ds dropout itself is two sandwiched pieces?

[dkel]

@hozn 89556 wrote:

Edit: actually it looks like the ds dropout itself is two sandwiched pieces?

It also looked to me like it might separate at the dropout, but I thought that would be a structurally weak place to begin with, without putting a break there. But what do I know?

[peterw_diy]

I expect the trick is to allow the seat and chain stays to move laterally but not vertically. For Wolverine it looks like the seam is pretty long so it might be stronger than some other belt-compatible designs I’ve seen. The sliding dropouts themselves look like a pretty standard design.
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/somafab/14511270241/

[Carl Heinz]

Hi. I’m new but my friend encouraged me to review the wolverine for you all. I’ve only had it for two weeks and only have 200Km on it. It was built here in Vancouver Canada with the following basics;
Shimano Alfine hubs, dynamo and Internal geared hub, 11spd with HED Belgium+ rims. Schwalb Marathons. TRP spyre brakes. B&M lights. FSA headset and drop bars. TruVativ Cranks with Gates Carbon Drive. Adamo road saddle. Fenders and rear rack.
I use the bike for easy rides and daily commuting which I do year round here in the pacific north west. My other bike is a full carbon weight weenie.
I’m 52 years old and have put a lot of miles/km on my bikes. Less now and I wanted a bike that was smoother than my aluminum hybrid commuter. What I got was a (so far) maintenance free, clean and tidy bike that I can just ride. And the ride is the best part. Yes, heavy with this build but smooth, gorgeous ride with no buzz like I had on my previous commuter. The handling is very stable but not too much so. Look at the numbers on the soma website. As my builder said, “the numbers don’t lie”. What does that mean to a guy like me? Well, I don’t want to be totally focused on my ride on the way to work. i can take my mind off the bike and it goes ahead where pointed. However, it does respond to definite input in a confidence inspiring way. Goes where pointed and tends to stay there. My weight weenie on the other hand, well I just have to think about it and WHOA, I’m there. Constant vigilance. Not the wolverine. Pretty laid back. Yet, still pretty quick. Not a dog. I’m just so pleased. A real sweet spot, at least for me.
In terms of the belt drive, the split is by the drop out and it is so nicely made, I initially missed it. The mechanics at Mighty Riders in Vancouver were drooling over it. A very elegant solution. We’ll see how it holds up over time. I’m not an engineer so not brilliant on this, but the manufacturing tolerances on this look good and the neatness of it seems to me to suggest good results. Here is hoping. By the way, a free tuner app for your android works to check belt tension. 50 to 60 Hz and you’re golden.
Paint etc. is good. The colour, well I guess you like it or you don’t.
For a rider who puts on regular miles through all weather, wants responsiveness with stability, this is a nice bike. Can’t comment on racing etc. as I’m past that now. Just love my bike to bits. Couldn’t be happier.

[vvill]

Nice… if I needed a do everything bike this would be pretty close. I’ve always liked Soma’s stuff and love the color too.

7+ lbs for the frame + fork though means I probably wouldn’t ride it much (or consider it as a realistic SSCX bike option) – unless I was touring or had more time to ride.

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

Ayo sorry to resurrect this thread from the dead but…

I was just at bikenetic inquiring as to the feasibility of having them build me a belt drive wolverine a la this thing. There’s no way for me to test what size frame I’d be comfortable on with this setup and I’d like to see how a bike like this feels before dropping moneys…

Apparently there is a bikenetic regular who has 2 of these bikes; a fix and an 8spd hub… Any of you happen to be this person? I’d like to maybe trade some beer for a spin on your wolverine some day when the weather’s better.

[dcv]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 153410 wrote:

Ayo sorry to resurrect this thread from the dead but…

I was just at bikenetic inquiring as to the feasibility of having them build me a belt drive wolverine a la this thing. There’s no way for me to test what size frame I’d be comfortable on with this setup and I’d like to see how a bike like this feels before dropping moneys…

Apparently there is a bikenetic regular who has 2 of these bikes; a fix and an 8spd hub… Any of you happen to be this person? I’d like to maybe trade some beer for a spin on your wolverine some day when the weather’s better.

dkel

[dkel]

@dcv 153412 wrote:

dkel

Yeah, that’s me. There were some fit issues with this build, so I ended up with a 56 to ride and a 54 to sell (cheap!). It’s currently built up as an IGH, but with tinkering I can put it back to fixed. Pic here. You can PM me for more details, and I’d be happy to have you come out and give it a try (especially if there’s a chance you would be interested in a deal on a 54).

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

Thanks guys. Just finished a pm to you covering the same ground. I’m guessing I’m also a 58 to maybe 56 size frame but not really knowing is part of my concern!

[Judd]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 153424 wrote:

Thanks guys. Just finished a pm to you covering the same ground. I’m guessing I’m also a 58 to maybe 56 size frame but not really knowing is part of my concern!

To put some context: Maxwell is a 58 cm and looked slightly oversized for you when you borrowed him. I’d guesstimate you as being a 56ish.

[Author]

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