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

[DirtDiva]

I reckon red bar tape to go with the little bit of red on the frame.

[tjf9]

I reckon red bar tape to go with the little bit of red on the frame.

Actually my bike mechanic has his bars taped red, so I didn't want to be the same. I imagine that I'll go through a few iterations of bar tape as I tweak the set up over time. Maybe my next color will be red - or black and red - that might be fun!

Sounds great!

How exciting, getting a bike built just for you! (I've modified bikes, but never chosen bits and pieces from the ground up.) Of course, you will give us lots of pics when you get them, right?

Time to go hang out in the Saddle thread and get saddle ideas!

Yep. I was thinking Brooks, but they pointed out that it takes forever to break in. Since I'm new to a road bike, I'm thinking I want to start in a saddle that will be comfortable right away...I'm going to have enough adjusting to do without breaking in a saddle too. I'm pretty sure I'll go Brooks later though - maybe for Christmas! If nothing else, I think a Brooks would look beautiful on the bike.

[KnottedYet]

My Brooks (both of them) were comfortable immediately because I finally had saddles that fit me right, and took about 100 miles to get broken in to the point they felt "made for me."

I've heard some folks say it takes about 400 miles to get that "made for you" feel.

Brooks does make a mighty fine x-mas present! (btw, the saddle in the Cassaroll pic? I'm bettin' that's a honey Brooks B17 Pro. with the nose tipped up too high.... )

[Christopher]

Nice bike! Component-wise you have gone for something good and sensible - 105 is nicely made, reliable kit and very good value for money.

A pedant writes: have you given much thought to the rims, # and type of spokes and spoking pattern? How about Mavic Open Pro rims, 32 holes, 3x pattern, DT stainless double-butted spokes? A bit vanilla, but simple and strong - I ride that sort of wheel with no problems and I weigh 190 lbs. You can go for much lighter but more fragile wheels... It's easier to get the tires off and on Mavic rims than a lot of other brands (like Reynolds!). Velocity rims might also be great, never used them though.

Bit worried about those forks though. I had a Dawes with straight steel forks and the jarring from the front end was horrible. However I had it converted to curved carbon forks and it is still jarry so maybe it is more the frame - cheap plain-gauge steel, yours should be much more comfy. My nice bike, also with curved carbon forks, is a lot more comfortable.

[tjf9]

(btw, the saddle in the Cassaroll pic? I'm bettin' that's a honey Brooks B17 Pro. with the nose tipped up too high.... )

Yep, I think it is. So pretty!

have you given much thought to the rims, # and type of spokes and spoking pattern?

I haven't, but my bike shop did. I don't remember the details of what they did, but told me what they were doing, and it made sense at the time. I'll definitely find out what kind of rims they used-that's a good tip about some being easier than others.

Bit worried about those forks though. I had a Dawes with straight steel forks and the jarring from the front end was horrible. However I had it converted to curved carbon forks and it is still jarry so maybe it is more the frame - cheap plain-gauge steel, yours should be much more comfy. My nice bike, also with curved carbon forks, is a lot more comfortable.

I did not get a chance to ride this frame before buying - although my bike mechanic loves his Casseroll. I hadn't considered that I can swap the fork if I don't like the ride - I'll keep that in mind if I find it to be too bumpy. Thanks for the tips!