Soma Rufus Mini Velo

Mini Velos have been all the rage in the past few years, and we’ve documented a fair share of them as well. What began as a solution to compact housing in urban areas has spread worldwide, inspiring builders and companies to develop their own. The latest to cross our radar is the Soma Fabrications Rufus…

Soma went through great lengths to design the Rufus Mini Velo to ride pretty much like a normal sized bike by optimizing it around a manageable length, optimizing it for city commutes, errands, and rides alike. Take it in an elevator, or on a train with ease. It also takes up less space in your apartment. And when you are carry your bike up some stairs, the wheel flopping is less annoying.

The unusual geometry of the Rufus also allows the cockpit length to expand as you raise the saddle height, which (if built with the right parts) means one bike can fit a range of heights. Multiple family members could share one bike. Or you can loan it to a shorter or taller friend.

Specs:

4130 double-butted chromoly steel frame and fork
Rear rack & fender mounts, cargo cage/mini rack bosses on fork (with one set of thru-bosses)
Three sets of water bottle bosses
Cafe lock mount
Kickstand plate
International Standard disc brake tabs (140/160mm rotors suggested)
Wheel size: 20″ (ISO 406) BMX size. Easy to find quality street or knobby tread tires. Tire clearance for 20 x 2.3″ (20 x 2.0″ w/fenders) (We currently stock wheelsets for your convenience.)
Hub spacing: 135mm, rear; 100mm, fork
Headset Fit: 1-1/8″ threadless (EC34/28.6|EC34/30 headsets)
Bottom Bracket Shell: 68mm English threaded
Seatpost size: 27.2mm x 350/400mm
Sizes: Small, Medium and Large (Depending what type of handlebars are used, the Small can fit 4′ 11″ to 5’7″, the Medium can fit 5′ 3″ to 5′ 11″, the Large can fit 5’6″ to 6’3″)
Paint: Purple (Also available in Matte Black)
Manufactured by Blacksnow Cycles, Suzhou City, China