Thought I'd start a separate thread to show off the progress on my Casseroll build.

So far it has been fairly easy, if a little nervous-making from time to time. Books and instructions are somewhat helpful, but still tend to be a little inscrutable if you have no idea what the whosits and whatsis are. This has mainly been a problem on the headset and the bottom bracket/crank installations, since I've never done either. Still, all I really had to do was sit and study on the item for a little bit before holding my breath and jumping in. So far so good. In rough order, starting from the bare frame and fork, this is where I am:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCM5iL6fFlI/AAAAAAAAB9o/ARBOgrUv3wA/DSCN1090.JPG?imgmax=576

http://lh5.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCM5lr6fFnI/AAAAAAAAB94/SVKf5gje_Dc/DSCN1092.JPG?imgmax=512

http://lh6.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCM5j76fFmI/AAAAAAAAB9w/URhPH1RNZRs/DSCN1091.JPG?imgmax=576

http://lh5.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCM5nr6fFoI/AAAAAAAAB-A/uTSincvpXmQ/DSCN1093.JPG?imgmax=512

http://lh5.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCM5pr6fFpI/AAAAAAAAB-I/P6wqWIqWidQ/DSCN1094.JPG?imgmax=576

These are the ingredients:

Cane Creek S3 headset (new)
Tektro long reach brakes (new)
Shimano 105 crank and BB (used; good condition)
Ultegra rear derailleur (new)
105 front derailleur (new)
105 brifter (used; excellent condition)
Nitto moustache bar (used; good condition)
Brooks saddle (from my xtracycle)
Generic rear rack (old, from my old commuter)
Alexrims 450 race wheels (from my Felt--I'll switch them out until I can afford a separate set for the Salsa)
28 mm tires
campus pedals w/spd cleats (since I'll be using it for most of my in-town commuting with regular shoes, but want to be able to clip in on long rides)

My goal is to ultimately have all silver components for a nice, old school look...

I have to go now...I really should be grading final exams...:rolleyes:

A spicy dish indeed.

Wow, it's really coming along. Thanks much for posting the progress and pics. I think lots of folks here would like to tackle a build.

I like the color.

Lovely frame! I would love to take that frame and build it up as a single speed (not fixed), fenders and all. Love those nice long dropouts. :)

Wow, it's really coming along. Thanks much for posting the progress and pics. I think lots of folks here would like to tackle a build.

So far, I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy it is. As I said, the instructions are a little hard to understand, but if you just sit and look at the part for a little while, it starts to make sense.

I took a bike maintenance course a couple of years ago, and that really helped build my confidence. The instructor was really good, and showed us how to take a bike completely apart and put it back together. It turns out that a bicycle is an elegantly simple machine. Who knew?:)

My DH gave me a bike toolkit from Nashbar after I took the course, and now I'm finally getting to use some of those "odd" tools that came with it...

I wanted to build a bike from scratch so that I would understand it, you know? I love to tinker and learn new things, and this seemed like a good thing to try.

Also, I've been keeping track of my expenditures, and by mixing used and new parts, I think I'm eventually going to save ~$500 off MSRP (not counting wheels).

I like the color.

The pictures don't do the color justice (the one that shows the bottom bracket comes closest). I was surprised at how pretty and luminous it is. It is slightly more metallic than it looks here.

Lovely frame! I would love to take that frame and build it up as a single speed (not fixed), fenders and all. Love those nice long dropouts. :)

I live where there's a lot of wind, so SS has absolutely no appeal for me.:)

I have been thinking about taking my DH's bike and turning it into a SS, however, since he never uses his gears.:rolleyes:

The Cassreroll is supposed to be a good frame for SS.

Nice build you have going there. Makes me want to start one. I'll have to settle for another conversion/reconfiguration project which I will start very soon.

I often refer to the Parks Tool website to make sure I understand what I'm about to do. Even for things I've done dozens of times, it helps.

Nice frame. If I hadn;t just built up a road bike and reached my quota (for now) I'd love to build a multi-purpose/commuter triple on a casserol frame. The Ginger Beer Gold color is hard to resist with the white banding here and there.

Well, let us know how it rides.

Looks like you're really doing it up right. I applaud your use of silver components for the old school look, perfect for that frame.

Beautiful! The color is very elegant... I'd call it champagne. I've always enjoyed assembling things; even as a little girl I put those model cars together. I bet I'd love building up a bike.

Hi all, this is where I am so far:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCo-30-lBHI/AAAAAAAAB_4/nk3rz8FkhXg/DSCN1100.JPG?imgmax=576

http://lh4.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCo-8E-lBJI/AAAAAAAACAM/1GEuIrRbky0/DSCN1103.JPG?imgmax=576

http://lh5.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCo--U-lBKI/AAAAAAAACAU/dRG2USep9AA/DSCN1104.JPG?imgmax=576

I got tired of waiting for some of the components, so I cannibalized parts from my racing bike. I got almost all the way through the build when I realized that I didn't have any cable stops for the derailleur cables. In fact, I didn't even know what they were called, or how they were attached.A little shout out to the bike maintenance and commuter forums solved that mystery. I've ordered the parts, and in the meantime, I cobbled up some homemade stops. (Don't laugh!)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCo_C0-lBMI/AAAAAAAACAk/uJdREb_y-Og/DSCN1106.JPG?imgmax=576

And here is a closeup of the moustache bars, which I think I'm going to enjoy:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/SCo_A0-lBLI/AAAAAAAACAc/IQ8iPBCtr9s/DSCN1105.JPG?imgmax=576

I put in 18 test miles today and I can already report that this is the sweetest bike I've ever owned. I told my DH I may never ride the Felt again. I love this bike.:love:

I'm still waiting on the silver stem and seat post, and the permanent front derailleur. Once the summer training season is over, I'll add silver SKS 35mm fenders and a rear rack. Oh, and I'm running 25mm Gatorskins.

I. Love. This. Bike.:love:

I love this bike.:love:

You should! Great job!

Since you're thinking of fenders, have you thought of these? Might be pretty hot w/that champagne paint you have.

http://www.woodysfenders.com/store/

You should! Great job!

Since you're thinking of fenders, have you thought of these? Might be pretty hot w/that champagne paint you have.

http://www.woodysfenders.com/store/


Yes, I have--I think they might be in my future! I need to recover from building the bike first, however.:lol:

I can appreciate beautiful wood--here is what I make in that shop you see in the background:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/SwiftySuze/RS5KP-wFABI/AAAAAAAAAEE/-XIEo9uQim4/paddles.jpg?imgmax=512

I love it! Nice choice of red tape.

Great job, PrairieDog! Beautiful bike. Can you please tell me the name of the bike repair stand in the photos? We are shopping for one right now, and yours looks solid.

Thanks!

By the way, I really like the look of the moustache bars. Why'd you choose them -- comfort? something different? How do they feel compared to traditional road bars.... closer reach, more comfortable... just different?

Great job, PrairieDog! Beautiful bike. Can you please tell me the name of the bike repair stand in the photos? We are shopping for one right now, and yours looks solid.

Thanks!

It's a Minoura RS 4000. I've been pretty pleased with it. I have definitely been pleased with having a repair stand--so much better than trying to work on a bike without one!

By the way, I really like the look of the moustache bars. Why'd you choose them -- comfort? something different? How do they feel compared to traditional road bars.... closer reach, more comfortable... just different?

Hi Yen--

I wanted something with more hand positions than flat bars, but more upright than drop. They feel very different, and have taken a little getting used to, but I think I love them, very much.:love:

It has also taken a little tweaking to get the position just right. I used an adjustable stem until I found the angle I liked, then ordered a permanent stem. I've found that it needs to be higher and closer than drop bars, but for riding around town (which is what I want to use this bike for), it is terrific.

I found that if I move the hoods/brifters in closer together, I can place my hands on them almost like I'm riding on the hoods on drops. On drop bars, I hardly ever go down into the drops, because I'm just not that flexible anymore, but with the mustache bars, I can put my hands comfortably on the outside, straight part, and it is just enough of a drop that it improves the aerodynamics when I need it (it's very windy where I live). The only thing I miss is the straight part of the drops, but I find that the way my hoods are positioned on the mustache bars, I am rapidly getting used to it.

This is turning out to be the best bike I think I've ever owned--it is both comfortable and nimble.

I LOVE Salsas! :love:

... Brad

Susan great job. The Casseroll is absoutely stellar!! Can't wait to see the finished bike. Does the frame have any flex, nice soft ride or is stiff and agile? Nothing really compares to a well made steel frame. You must be proud. Lp

Susan great job. The Casseroll is absoutely stellar!! Can't wait to see the finished bike. Does the frame have any flex, nice soft ride or is stiff and agile? Nothing really compares to a well made steel frame. You must be proud. Lp

Thanks! I am close to having it all done--just one or two more items and I'll show off the final product.

I'm not sure how to describe the ride. I'm not that familiar with what "flex" feels like compared to "stiffness" in a frame. However, when I ride it, I am surprised at how..."buttery smooth" it feels on the pavement, and yet remarkably nimble. It also feels zippy and fast, but not twitchy, like my Felt. With the Felt, I always feel a little tense--it rides like a cat on roller skates, especially if there is any gravel around. With the Salsa, I don't have the sense that it's about to skid out from under me.

It doesn't feel like a "comfort" bike--it isn't "soft" in that sense, but as I said, it is surprisingly smooth.

I think that where I might go 15 mph on the Felt, the Salsa would come in around 14 or so, but I feel fast on it, and it is definitely faster than my xtracycle.:lol:

As I was riding it yesterday, I was thinking that it is the first time I've ever felt like the bike was a part of me.:) Maybe it's the frame (I think that's a big part of it), or maybe it's because building it myself allowed me the opportunity to make it exactly what I wanted (probably part of it, too).

I haven't tried it on hills yet--I'll do that on Sunday.

Hi Yen--

I wanted something with more hand positions than flat bars, but more upright than drop. They feel very different, and have taken a little getting used to, but I think I love them, very much.:love:

It has also taken a little tweaking to get the position just right. I used an adjustable stem until I found the angle I liked, then ordered a permanent stem. I've found that it needs to be higher and closer than drop bars, but for riding around town (which is what I want to use this bike for), it is terrific.

I found that if I move the hoods/brifters in closer together, I can place my hands on them almost like I'm riding on the hoods on drops. On drop bars, I hardly ever go down into the drops, because I'm just not that flexible anymore, but with the mustache bars, I can put my hands comfortably on the outside, straight part, and it is just enough of a drop that it improves the aerodynamics when I need it (it's very windy where I live). The only thing I miss is the straight part of the drops, but I find that the way my hoods are positioned on the mustache bars, I am rapidly getting used to it.

This is turning out to be the best bike I think I've ever owned--it is both comfortable and nimble.

Thanks for all the info. Those bars look extremely comfortable. I might switch the trekking bars on my hybrid for those... not that I don't like the trekking bars (I do) but I really like the look of those moustache bars.

I really admire your willingness to tackle something new like this.

I like moustache bars for relatively short rides. The best thing about them to me is climbing while holding out near the ends. I angle them down at the rear like in your photos. I had them on Uncle Duke, but eventually changed to drops for more comfort on longer rides. I'm thinking of putting them back on there if I go through with my idea of converting Uncle Duke to a fixie. I'll call him "Raoul" if I do that.

Thanks for all the info. Those bars look extremely comfortable. I might switch the trekking bars on my hybrid for those... not that I don't like the trekking bars (I do) but I really like the look of those moustache bars.

I really admire your willingness to tackle something new like this.

Hang on to the trekking bars if you do decide to switch out. Like Bluesdawg says, I'm not sure that the moustache bars would be all that comfy for really long rides (longer than a couple of hours, anyway).

I've been thinking about buying some trekking bars and switching the moustache bars for them for really long rides. You say you like yours? How do they do on rides longer than a couple of hours?

Hi all, this is where I am so far:


I. Love. This. Bike.:love:

But how do you feel about the bike?

Hang on to the trekking bars if you do decide to switch out. Like Bluesdawg says, I'm not sure that the moustache bars would be all that comfy for really long rides (longer than a couple of hours, anyway).

I've been thinking about buying some trekking bars and switching the moustache bars for them for really long rides. You say you like yours? How do they do on rides longer than a couple of hours?

I've ridden 50 miles with them with no problems. They're on my Giant Cypress SX (hybrid). My hands are a problem even off the bike (implant in left wrist, lots of scar tissue in left thumb joint from severed tendon injury/repair, and stiffness in right wrist) so I consider myself a poster child for bar comfort on long rides. :) They offer plenty of hand positions. I might give my trekking bars to Hubby once I find the moustache bars I like.

You're bike's a beauty.

I saw this review of a Salsa Casserroll (they really like it) and thought I would add it here.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/producttests.htm

Prairiedog, hope you are enjoying yours!

I saw this review of a Salsa Casserroll (they really like it) and thought I would add it here.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/producttests.htm

Prairiedog, hope you are enjoying yours!

Most excellent review! Thanks for posting it.

I do love my Casseroll--I think it just might be the best bike I've ever had. It's almost built up to where I want it--I just have to get some new wheels to replace the ones I have on there now. As soon as it's completely finished, I'll post the final update.

As soon as it's completely finished, I'll post the final update.

Bikes are never "completely finished."