1996 Softride Solo

[SFP]

I freely admit to being one of those weirdo types when it comes to engineering and such. As an artist I appreciate aesthetics and lines as well as form following function.

Back in he earl '90s when I worked in shops and the Softrides starting showing up, I fell in love with the look and ride of them. As life goes though, I could never justify the cost of one even with "bike shop staff" deals (I had other priorities at the time).

Yesterday I got to scratch a bucket list item off though.

Boneyard Cycles in Victoria is owned by a good friend of mine. I do his bands photography and have known Bones for years. He has had this '96 Solo frameset hanging in the shop for a while now, and I have had my eye on it ever since I first saw it.

Well I managed to work a deal, trading a 1999 Gary Fisher Joshua X1 frame for the Solo frameset.

As a result I had a smile on my all day.

For now it will hang in my media room beside my pre-serial number Hutch Pro Racer frameset.

Build wise I am seriously leaning towards a Campy Chorus set up, but cost may end up with it being dressed in Dura Ace.

Still need a name for her... but something will come to me.

 

[vtwinvince]

That looks like my old frame. Is there a compression dent on one of the shifter bosses?

 

[SFP]

That looks like my old frame. Is there a compression dent on one of the shifter bosses?

Not that I can see.

You located in Victoria, BC Canada?

 

[SFP]

And on the wall beside the Hutch

 

[vtwinvince]

I'm in North Cowichan, but the frame did wind up in Victoria with the guy at Bicycle-itis. There was also a tiny hairline crack in the paint on the fork.

 

[Rapparee87]

It's Campag!

 

[SFP]

I'm in North Cowichan, but the frame did wind up in Victoria with the guy at Bicycle-itis. There was also a tiny hairline crack in the paint on the fork.

In that case, sounds like it may have previously been be yours

 

[SFP]

I'm in North Cowichan, but the frame did wind up in Victoria with the guy at Bicycle-itis. There was also a tiny hairline crack in the paint on the fork.

Small world.
Aloha from down island eh.

I did a uber close inspection and the fork looks okay, but did discover a crack along the downtube. It may be repairable, but I figure safer just to leave it as a wall piece. And thus continues my search for a rideable frame. I am still happy with the trade, and end of day it didn't cost me anything.

 

[vtwinvince]

It's definitely my old frame. I found it many years ago in a backyard in Burnaby, the first owner had purchased it at Point Grey Cycles on West 10th. It had a 600 Tri-Colour parts spec, but the really interesting thing was it was specced with prototype Magic Motorcycle cranks.

 

[vtwinvince]

I got inspired to get my Columbus steel version out for a refresh, 600 Tri-Colour parts spec and one of those weird Scott Drop-In bars.