I can only comment on the nexus 8sp from 2008. The 2009 will be Sram 7 spd with a couple other minor changes.
I can say I ride a medium 18" mtb usually, and the 18" Soulville feels kinda small on me. I ebayed it on a lark (Saved 35%).
I slid the seat back and it helps and I am thinking even of a setback seatpost. Not sure how this will look or perform (Anyone?).
The bike itself is cool. It rides nice, the nexus shifts well. Coaster brakes were way back in my mind for the first 50 feet. Panic made me dig up how to use them again
Other than that it is a fun bike to Cruise on, and two of my decidely non-biker neighbors Raved about it's looks. It handles slacker than some other bikes I have due to angles and wheelbase I imagine. It certainly isn't a chore to cruise around on.
I think you should at least try to throw a leg over one before jumping in...But it is fun for tootling around on!
CDT
