Decided on a frame (I think)...components?

[tjf9]

I've been bike shopping for a couple of months and really struggled with finding a stock bicycle that meets my needs. I really want a road type bike that I can commute with, as well as take on longer rides. WSD bikes fit me well, but it seems they are all either hybrids or not fender/rack friendly.

Today, I went to a very small shop near me and found what I think could be the perfect bike. It's a Salsa Casseroll. It's steel, ready for racks, fenders, 2 bottle cages and a frame pump (all at the same time). Plus, it's a pretty color too! Looking at the dimensions online, it looks to be very similar to the Trek 5000 I rode and liked, so I think the geometry will work for me.

The only thing with buying a frame is that I have to/get to choose the components. Let's see if I can even name them all - headset, stem, handlebars, brakes, front derailleur, rear derailleur, bottom bracket, cranks, cassette, wheels, pedals...I'm sure there's more. Beyond searching these forums for each of those things individually (which I'll be doing over the next few days), do folks have any recommendations for what I should be thinking about as I consider these choices? On stock bikes I was looking at 105 level components, but never really paid attention to the details beyond that.

BTW, I'm totally open to critique of the frame if anyone has and positive or negative things to say about it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've been bike shopping for a couple of months and really struggled with finding a stock bicycle that meets my needs. I really want a road type bike that I can commute with, as well as take on longer rides. WSD bikes fit me well, but it seems they are all either hybrids or not fender/rack friendly.

Today, I went to a very small shop near me and found what I think could be the perfect bike. It's a Salsa Casseroll. It's steel, ready for racks, fenders, 2 bottle cages and a frame pump (all at the same time). Plus, it's a pretty color too! Looking at the dimensions online, it looks to be very similar to the Trek 5000 I rode and liked, so I think the geometry will work for me.

The only thing with buying a frame is that I have to/get to choose the components. Let's see if I can even name them all - headset, stem, handlebars, brakes, front derailleur, rear derailleur, bottom bracket, cranks, cassette, wheels, pedals...I'm sure there's more. Beyond searching these forums for each of those things individually (which I'll be doing over the next few days), do folks have any recommendations for what I should be thinking about as I consider these choices? On stock bikes I was looking at 105 level components, but never really paid attention to the details beyond that.

BTW, I'm totally open to critique of the frame if anyone has and positive or negative things to say about it.

TJF,
The Casseroll sounds like a very good choice to me based on the kind of riding and requirements you stated you like. I really like the touring touches it features, and it looks like a lively bike. Very versatile for most any kind of riding you'd want to enjoy except perhaps actual racing.

The Shimano component levels are, from lower to higher end:
105
Ultegra
Dura Ace

I have mostly Shimano 105 components on my steel bike, but if I had it to do over again today I would start with Ultegra level if not Dura Ace. At the time I didn't really know if I would be serious about biking.
105 work just fine but an experienced rider can tell the difference in shifting between 105 and the others.
Then there's always Campy components but they are pretty darned expensive and might be overkill on a mid level bike. (I'm not sure exactly what the Casseroll costs but I'm guessing it's mid-level somewhere?)

I too like the Casseroll color- sort of a pearly sand? I think you will be very happy with such a bike!

[mimitabby]

I've been bike shopping for a couple of months and really struggled with finding a stock bicycle that meets my needs. I really want a road type bike that I can commute with, as well as take on longer rides. WSD bikes fit me well, but it seems they are all either hybrids or not fender/rack friendly.

Today, I went to a very small shop near me and found what I think could be the perfect bike. It's a Salsa Casseroll. It's steel, ready for racks, fenders, 2 bottle cages and a frame pump (all at the same time). Plus, it's a pretty color too! Looking at the dimensions online, it looks to be very similar to the Trek 5000 I rode and liked, so I think the geometry will work for me.


BTW, I'm totally open to critique of the frame if anyone has and positive or negative things to say about it.

Nice bike. I have heard great things about Salsa and that's a fine steel bike.
I just got a steel bike with steel fork myself and I love it. You won't regret it.
Are you going to get moustache bars?

[Thorn]

Interesting frame! I've been toying with replacing my hybrid with a fatter-tire road bike for winter riding. I'll be adding this frame to the list.

But, regarding components. Given that I'm currently in the planning stages for two bikes, I've been in component-learning mode for a while (so much to learn, but such fun learning!!!). One of the bikes will be a costlier custom roadbike and the other a winter bike for shorter, sloppier rides.

If you're going to let the LBS build it, start developing a working relationship with one of the staff. Determine how much you want to spend by the time the bike is completed. That's going to give the LBS a price point and a point where they can start making suggestions for you.

To begin with, Campy or Shimano as the base component group? The Campy Mirage group's price is between Shimano's Tiagra and 105 and Veloce is kinda in the ballpark of 105. See if you can test ride a bike with Campy. Shimano is the most common component in the US, but Campy brake hoods are smaller and the shifters different enough that some women prefer them (apparently some guys too, but this is TE not TT ). Also, if you're going to go triple, the front derrailuer action for Campy is more adjustable--again, it is a preference thing and you want to decide for yourself it is right for you. Oh, and SRAM is gaining ground, but I know even less about them.

OK, so assuming you've decided on the price point and the base brand, now start working with that mechanic. They should be able to help you trade up on the mechanicals that will matter (e.g., wheels and the rear derraileur) and trade down on mechanicals that won't affect your ride as much so you can hit your final price point. It isn't uncommon to see mixed group bikes and I've even seen people ride mixed Campy/Shimano. A good mechanic will build you what is right for what you want.

For me, I've gotten to the point where I know that my custom road will be high-end Campy and that if I build up the winter bike, I'll be going Campy Mirage or Shimano Tiagra. I happen to love the brake hoods and the shifting style of Campy--I've met people who hate it--it is personal and you can only find out by test riding. That gives me a starting point, but, when it comes to actually buying the components, I will work with the mechanic to choose the details. I guess I try to be an educated, informed consumer, able to express what I want, but also willing to defer to the expertise of the mechanic who has been building bikes for 20 years.

Oh, and one thing I've noted as of late...handlebars....don't let the mechanic pick them out for you. I changed out my handlebars this spring and the bars he picked out didn't work. It wasn't his fault, it was mine for not knowing what I really preferred. The bars he picked out are good handlebars and very popular. But, again, it comes down to knowing your preferences and I didn't know.

Learn, be educated, test ride enough to know what you're looking for and, most importantly, find a mechanic who can match what you need with what is available.

Good luck (and when it is done...a review, please?)

[tjf9]

Are you going to get moustache bars?

Moustache bars? Are those the flat ones in sort of an M shape? No, I was planning on the usual road bike type bars (drop bars?).

Good luck (and when it is done...a review, please?)

Of course! Thanks for the tips. I think the mechanic guy I was working with was pretty good. He actually just finished building his own bike up on this frame, so he's certainly familiar with it. In fact, the reason he suggested it was that he has longer legs and a shorter torso and really loved the fit, so he thought it might be a good match for me.

As with many things, I am a little bit of a control freak , so I hate to leave everything up to the mechanic at the bike shop. But, if I am every to get the bike done and done right, I'm going to have to trust him a bit. I just want to make sure I know enough to speak up if he goes way off base on anything.

Another question that just occurred to me - how long will this whole process take? Will I be able to go to the store for a couple of hours and have all the decisions made, or will this be a multi-step, multi-day process? Then of course there's the ordering of frame, parts, build and fit time too. Will I get to ride this thing in one month? Two? Four? This is the hard part with even the semi-custom route - time. I want it now!

Thanks for the input ladies (and keep it coming! ). I'll definitely keep you all posted as to the progress on this journey.

[Thorn]

If you haven't, check out Mimi's bike (recent thread with subject line of Cavelletta). She has some interesting handlebars on her new new dream bike. I looked them up. Very intriguing. Mimi--can you post a top view of those handlebars?

I understand the control freak. I've been plotting the road bike for a year now. It has taken this long because I had to find the right combination of bike and LBS. I want control over my machine (hey, it is my money), but I want someone who will work with me because I know I don't know enough.

It'll be interesting to see people's take on time. I know my frame will be 6-ish weeks in the making. After that, it is a matter of the shop's lead time on parts and their schedule.

But, I expect that the picking of parts, for me, will be a two trip step. Sure, I've done some research, but I expect the shop to "correct my exam" and, then, I'll need to go home, do a bit more studying and come back. If I don't do it in a 2-step visit, I'll never trust that I have everything right (yep, issues).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Having a mechanic on your side who has already built his own bike on this same frame is wonderful!
Remember- you can always change components later, but not the frame itself.
If this is a stock frame and not custom, then it should only take a matter of weeks, not months, after the frame arrives at your mechanic's shop. It all depends on how many parts you have there waiting when the frame arrives. Work with the mechanic- he knows all the parts that will be needed and can discuss them with you and order them if you don't order them yourself.

Personally I don't think moustache bars are the best choice if you want to ride long distances as you say you do. Road bars (drop bars) give you many different hand position to alternate while you are riding hour after hour. Mimi has some that are shorter reach than most, and the other type often chosen are Salsa Poco bars or Salsa Short and Shallow bars- all particularly good for average proportioned women with shorter arms than men.
I have Nitto Noodle bars for the past year but am changing them out right now for Salsa Poco bars, hoping I will really like them.

[KnottedYet]

LisaSH - synchronicity... I was thinking about switching my Salsa SnS for a pair of Nitto Noodles!

Those Salsa Casaroll frames are just gorgeous. My LBS usually has at least one built up and ready to sell, and I always stop to look. I've seen them build the Casarolls up in lots of different ways, and they always look good.

Nice choice!