If you crave salt, then you're probably a salty sweater and not getting enough electrolytes in during your ride.

There are a lot of sports drinks out there. I think Accelerade has some protein. There's Gu20, Clif electrolyte drink, Hammer drinks, Luna drinks, nuun tablets, etc. I say find one that has calories and electrolytes that you like the taste of. Sometimes at bike shops or REI you can get individual packets to try out before committing to a huge container of the stuff. It's only going to work if you want to drink it.

There are also food alternatives that you can have with plain water. Some are just calories (like Powerbar jelly things), but then there are other chews with sugar and electrolytes (Luna moons, Clif shot bloks, Jelly Belly sport beans, Sharkies, etc.) and gels (Gu, Hammer gel, Accel gel, Clif shot, etc.). I tend to prefer those things to drinks.