The MADE Show was fantastic. So glad to see so many inspired builders of frames and wheels!
It's actually been one year since Gregg's restored Somec hit the roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains. But it was Spring and this is a good time to celebrate.
Gregg was a mechanic at Wheelsmith, back in our glory days. Was he the best mechanic to work in that fabled store? Could be. Anyhow, he met his wife-to-be there, Diane Kim. Diane managed the unruly affair for some challenging years and those two eventually became hitched. Can I take some credit? I don't think so.
Back to the bike! Gregg recently began restoring a 1984 Somec he acquired while at the Los Gatos Wheelsmith. It has a Nuovo Record group with a long range Rally rear derailleur and corresponding triple crank. All it needed was wood rims and fresh air!
The re-imagined bike debuted in March of 2010. What a looker! Gregg says:
"The wheels built-up absolutely great, better than many aluminum rims I can think of (Wolber and Matrix come to mind)!...I was pretty blown away with the near perfect roundness that can be achieved with these rims."
After his first ride: "I rode it forty miles through the SC mountains last Saturday; frankly it rides about as good as anything, including my Record-shod Calfee. The compliant wheels combined with the Challenge tubulars make for a really nimble riding experience!"
Bravo to Gregg and his Somec. Here's to artistic, mobile Spring projects.
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