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Exclusive First Look: Masi SoulVille SS
March 27th, 2008 by Tim Grahl 
Masi Bikes released the SoulVille at Interbike 2007 and it has been continually sold out. As a response to this they will have a June release of the new singlespeed version.
The MSRP of the SoulVille SS will be somewhere around $650 (still flexible) and will be available in 16, 18, 20 and 22″ sizes. The rear hub will be a flipflop fixed and freewheel hub. Lock-on grips with cork tape wrap.
The frame will be the same as the geared SoulVille but with no fenders for a more “street rod” look. There’s currently no stepthrough (Mixte) version planned.
As Tim Jackson, Masi’s brand manager, says… “[It has] more cool factor per dollar than a Ferrari”.
That’s hard to argue with.
Before you say it, yes this is expensive compared to other similar bikes. The Gary Fisher Simple City 3-geared will be retailing for $550. However the Masi geared SoulVille isn’t the cheapest bike on the market and they still can’t keep them in stock.
There’s something to be said for having a unique design and brand between your legs.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:35 am
The Fisher is a nice bike and it’s good company to be in- even if we’re more expensive. One thing to keep in mind though is that the steel tubing is more expensive than aluminum, so that is the main reason for the higher price… plus they’ll sell more bikes in one size than I will in all my sizes in all SoulVille models combined, likely. The economy of scale working at it’s best!
Thanks for the nice write up. We’re very, very proud of these bikes and I personally can’t wait to get one of these for myself. It’s just a really fun bike to ride. The sample in the picture is the 18″ size and it obviously too small for me, but it still rides fun. I can’t wait to get my 22″ and blast around the neighborhood.
Thanks again!
March 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Looks sweet! I want.
The Simple City sure doesn’t com with cork grips!
What kind of brake is on there? It kind of looks like a long reach road caliper style from the picture. Will it come with a fixed sprocket, or just the freewheel?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Helloooo, sexy! Masi has got it GOING ON with all these cool new bikes.
I love how this SoulVille really captures the essence of old board-track racers, yet doesn’t look like a straight repro. I’d pay extra for a stunner like this, that’s for sure!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Wow! Well done, Tim. Masi just keeps getting better.
Now if I could only convince you to do a 29″er like that!
April 24th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Picked up my new Soulville 8-speed yesterday in antique Beige. Everything you guys said about this bike was completely true. It’s gorgeous, fun to ride and the quality of the build is unbelievable. I had a front brake added to mine which is really handy in traffic. Added a Topeak Explorer rack and their nifty slide-in slide-out bag and it looks great outfitted that way. Nice mount for my rear light on the Topeak rack as well. It all looks very “OEM’ish”.
So add me to the inumerable MASI fans out there. I just turned 58 and this is my first bike in years, but it’s like they say, you don’t ever forget how to ride. Of course, never had a bike this good before. I remember coaster brakes of course, but the one on this bike really has great stopping power.
Thanks Masi !
April 25th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Bob from Santa Fe; Man, you just made my night! I just walked in the door from a nice little evening training ride and this is what I came back to in my email. Sincerely- I am flattered more than you can possibly know. All of us at Masi are.
Thank you for the very generous kind words.
FYI- It isn’t a done deal yet, but we are looking at adding a front hand brake to production models. Also, for those folks who do not wish to break in a leather saddle, we’re getting a vinyl saddle with a very similar look- complete with brass buttons along the back and MASI stamped in the sides. The saddles should be in stock soon (I hope) and it is the same saddle being spec’ed on the 3-speed version of the bike.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I live a long way from any Masi dealers and despite numerous entreaties, was unable to get my LBS to stock them, so my year long search for a new commuter went a different way last month.
However, last week, I was on a rare road trip and saw a bike shop and pulled over (as I sometimes do) and there right in front of me when I walked in the front door, was a gorgeous cream colored Soulville. Holy crap it is indeed sweeter in the flesh than in pictures. Then around the corner stood a black one, and a Speciale Commuter. I can unequivocally tell you right now that my next bike will be a Masi.
Maybe the SS Soulville…
April 28th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Craig… man, this has just made my day! Having kind of a rough start to the week, so this is a welcome comment to see.
I’m obviously very partial to the bikes we make, but I would have to agree that they are very good looking bikes. I always say that for a company our size (very small), we spend a disproportionate amount of time worrying about the cosmetics of the bikes… but I stand behind those decisions.
AND… the SS is such a fun bike. I’ve pretty much decided that I will be adding one to my already overcrowded collection of bikes.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Craig:
You didn’t happen to be in Santa Fe, NM at the time were you? That sounds like the exact inventory of my dealer here, Melo Velo. Great guys to do business with.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:17 am
I’ve got some bad news to report on Tim “Masiguy” Jackson. He was in a pretty nasty looking crash on the velodrome on Tuesday night.
Check out these blogs for more info, racer blue squirrel has been visiting Tim in the hospital and has started a recovery fund, and A Surfeit of Passion has some more info along with some hospital room photos.