Touring - Finally decided on a new bike

I've been pondering for months now about what bike to buy. I want a touring "type" bike, although I won't be able to do much touring. With the wife and work thing, I'll only be able to do 3 days max, probably. I expect to do more brevets than I do tours.

Anyway, I had thought about a LHT. But I decided against it. The frames are cheap, that was a bonus. But....I ride a smaller frame, and I refuse to ride 26" wheels. That, and everyone on the planet has a LHT, apparently.
So, I thought about a Salsa Casseroll. I don't remember why, but there was some reason that I didn't like it. I thought I had decided on a Masi Speciale Randonneur. But I started looking at the spec, and realized that I'd be replacing most of the parts anyway. (The front wheel is bolt-on. Can't have that)

So, I called in my employee purchase to the rep today. I'm getting an Orange Cream Masi Speciale Commuter. Why? It's the same exact frame as the Randonneur (although not in the cool maroon colour), it's a lot cheaper, and I can sell the single speed stuff on eBay. The Commuter has full braze-ons/eyelets; Upper rack mounts and lower rack mounts both front and rear. So, in a week or so I'll have a shiny new bike.

I'm all excited. lol

Can't wait to see it, hope you will post some pics when it's completed. I noticed that the Randonneur would then also have the same horizontal dropouts. Does that ever present a problem or do I worry too much about slippage? Can you buy just the frame and fork? Love the geometry of the 56.

Way to go! I love to see people go outside the "norm" for their bike purchase. Your bike should be a real nice ride, please post some pictures when the build is done.

Nice bike. But, I ride a LHT w/ 26" wheels, and am convinced it is the only way to go in Latin America. I have toured through Mexico on 700s and 26s, and finding a new tube and/or a tire for a 700 can be a real b-tch outside of the states.

Nice bike. But, I ride a LHT w/ 26" wheels, and am convinced it is the only way to go in Latin America. I have toured through Mexico on 700s and 26s, and finding a new tube and/or a tire for a 700 can be a real b-tch outside of the states.

Well, I won't be traveling outside of the US, unless I go to the UK with my wife sometime, so that isn't a concern.



Can't wait to see it, hope you will post some pics when it's completed. I noticed that the Randonneur would then also have the same horizontal dropouts. Does that ever present a problem or do I worry too much about slippage? Can you buy just the frame and fork? Love the geometry of the 56.

I don't worry about slippage. I've had other bikes with horizontal drop outs, and they've never been a problem.
The Masi, however, does have adjuster screws in the dropouts. So, no worries.

No go on just the frame and fork at the moment. Yeah, I asked. Masi Bob (our rep) says they're "talking about it", but nothing definite yet.

Well, I won't be traveling outside of the US, unless I go to the UK with my wife sometime, so that isn't a concern.


Too bad. Whole big world out there.:)

I have been going through the same process as you and have been researching various touring frames for a couple of years. My main use of the bike would be for commuting, with occasional weekend tours.

I've also had my eyes open for nice vintage models such as Miyatas and Univegas, but never succeeded in finding a nice one in my size. In early December I got a bonus check at work, so I decided to take the plunge and buy a new frame. Initially I was going to buy a Salsa Casseroll, but the local bike shop that sells them said it would take 3-4 months to get one. So I started shopping around on my list of contenders.

I finally decided to order a Bob Jackson World Tour frame from England. With the rising value of the dollar since the financial crisis started, I was able to buy a Jackson frame for about $200+ less than it would have cost early last summer. When I finally was able to pry the geometry specs from Bob Jackson through a series of emails, I found that the BJ World Tour in my size has almost the same measurements as my best fitting frame, a Merckx Corsa. That sealed the deal, and I ordered my new Jackson in early December. It is supposed to arrive in mid to late January, and I compiling components in the meantime.

Most of the components will come from my current commuter bike, with some extras like fenders, front and rear racks, and new stem and seatpost.

Rivendell has a few 650b Bleriots left.

Too bad. Whole big world out there.:)
Rather condescending, don't you think?

Oh the anticipation of waiting for that frame to get to you!!!!! I ordered a frame from the UK as well, I was like a little kid waiting for it to arrive...... time went by very s--l--o--w--l--y. I remember getting home from work and hoping it was there -the day it arrived was a joyous one.

I wish you well and hope it arrives soon!


I ordered my new Jackson in early December. It is supposed to arrive in mid to late January, and I compiling components in the meantime.

Most of the components will come from my current commuter bike, with some extras like fenders, front and rear racks, and new stem and seatpost.

Rather condescending, don't you think?

It is, but some people don't understand that the average Joe can't just take off for a month-long bike tour. I have a wife who would much prefer I stick around here most of the time, a kid in school, and a job with typical US vacation time (ie: one - two weeks, if you're lucky). Likewise, I'm not close enough to any borders to be able to take a weekend tour into Mexico or Canada.

Of course, if I lived in Alaska, I could just pop over to Russia for a visit. :innocent:

Of course, if I lived in Alaska, I could just pop over to Russia for a visit. :innocent:

Just because you can see it, doesn't mean you can ride there. Ya have to wait until it freezes:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

I think it's a great idea to use that frame for touring. It's pretty nice too. Be sure that the front fork is actually drilled to receive a low-rider rack. As you can see in this picture, the fork has double eyelets but isn't drilled. Pretty weird because it seems to be on Masi's website.

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/qbei/cabinet/images/08_masi_007091_01.jpg

I really do like that frame but two things; nobody will ever come by you and ask what bike you're riding, and it's a good thing for Masi that they only have 4 letters in their name or otherwise they couldn't get the name on there 8 times between the frame and fork. :)

I have seen the world. I have been to Epcot. I have stayed in Paris, Monte Carlo, the Bellagio and several other casinos in Vegas.

The picture above looks like a 2008 Commuter in Root Beer colour (the colour I actually want more than anything; except maybe green). It doesn't have upper rack mounts on the fork. The 2009 models DO have upper rack mounts...

Hey, fwiw, here's the fork on my '08 (I think) Commuter: http://www.fiataccompli.com/bike/assets_c/2009/01/fork_detail-thumb-250x230.jpg

and (see other thread here somewhere), it sounds like Platypius & I must have been on the same wavelength about the Commuter being the real 'gem' in the Masi line-up. Here's mine (sorry, it was a Christmas present from my wife, and I'm kinda excited about it):
http://www.fiataccompli.com/bike/assets_c/2009/01/Commuter_at_desk-thumb-250x166.jpg

You should be excited....it's an awesome bike.

We had an '08 Commuter in my size. I was about to take it home when the shop owner decided he'd use it to commute with. Grrrrr......

one reason for not liking the casseroll is that it doesn't have rack mounts, it's unfortunate because 1.) it's an expensive frame not to have the braze ons and holes. and 2.) it's apparently very comfortable on long multi-day rides. though i think you may be able to rig a back rack, the front has a straight fork, which some people may not like as well. if it had the mounts for front and back racks, it'd probably be my next bike. : /

though. . . you could probably get some holes drilled O:-)

The Casseroll does have rear rack mounts, but not on the front. It does have eyelets for fenders front and rear. I actually emailed Salsa inquiring about the Casseroll's suitability for touring, and they told me it was not designed to handle heavy loads. So it should be fine for weekend touring with relatively light loads, but not heavy loaded touring (eg, panniers front and back).

like that bike when I saw it, is the rear triangle 120mm or 130-5mm?

132.5 is what the Masi site says & what I measured

132.5 is what the Masi site says & what I measured

Yup. 132.5mm. I'm building mine up with a MTB hub. I just ordered the dynamo front hub for it today, as well as some Mavic rims. The headlight is coming from England. Brooks saddle is sitting here waiting. I still need to find a Nitto M-18 front rack, or break down and buy a VO one.

I'm hoping it shows up tomorrow. It's only coming from one state away.... Hurry up with my bike! :p

I'll be really interested in seeing/hearing how yours turns out.