Quote Originally Posted by tjf9 View Post
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!