Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Salsa Casseroll builds for LD riding

I was wondering if the Salsa Casseroll owners would mind posting info on their bike builds? How long have you had them and how do you like them? Anyone take them on brevets? Any comparisons to other (previously owned) bikes would be great as well. Primarily looking for feedback on geared bikes, but any and all would be welcome :)

TIA

I just got done posting a review of my Salsa build on the Commuting Forum: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=8672498#post8672498

I'm using the bike as a Road bike (sans racks/fenders/Lights) so it may not be a good comparison for Brevets. I am preparing to ride a couple of supported (charity ride) centuries this summer. As far as comfort of the frame, it is very smooth, just the right amount of spring for me. I'm running 700x25 tires and the combo really soaks up road vibration.

Any specfic questions, feel free to drop me a message offline.

Steve

Here's mine, built at the end of last year.
Before use:
http://www.madsnail.net/images/bikebuild/60_salsa_casseroll_completewithfenders_thumb.jpg

In use:
http://www.madsnail.net/images/bikebuild/casseroll_horses.jpg

Thanks to a rather nasty winter, I've only put about 1000 km on it, but I'm quite satisfied with it.
The main difference I see with my previous bikes (all steel racing bikes) is the flex of the frame. I really like it, it makes for a smooth ride.
I've built it with a mix of Shimano parts, SON dynohub, Supernova E3 and some 700X30C Schwalbe Marathon Racer.
It is definitely a rather big change compared to my previous bikes. I really like the fact that it is a true do-it-all bike, it's smooth on the road, yet not sluggish, and this weekend I could ride with my girlfriend on dirt roads without any problems.

I like my Casseroll a lot. It's extremely smooth. I'm constantly looking back at my rear tire because it feels flat. But it's not. It's also plenty light and fast for my needs, and with the nice long head tube, I have my ideal riding position (bars just below my saddle) with only 2 cms of headset spacers. On my old Surly CrossX I had 8cm of spacers! (That looked really stupid - I have long legs and shortish arms/torso)
IMO the Casseroll is a bit overrated as a 'do everything' bike tho. It's low BB would give you quite a bit of pedal strike if you take it off-road, and I don't like to load it with more than 20 lbs, because the frame starts to feel noodly. My touring/mtn bike does both of these very well tho, so I find these 2 bikes are a perfect complement to each other.
I didn't like the straight fork, so I replaced it with a curved IRD steel fork (same rake and Axle to Crown). Sorry no pics at the moment.

Thanks all for the great feedback! stedanrac, nice bike! It's great to know that that your experience corroborates how most reviews describe the frame - makes you want to keep riding.

Madsnail, I have a Redline 925 that has some flex in the bottom bracket especially when I stand up and mash. Sometimes I wonder if I am losing some of the tiny bit of power made by my noodley legs :lol: Did the flex ever become annoying? Also, how do you like the Marathon Race? Probably a little bit heavier than, say, Conti Gatorskins? Any info on the rims? Sorry for all the questions :)

bokes: Thanks for the feedback. Some reviews did mention that the Casseroll is probably not best suited for loaded touring or for single track riding. Interesting to hear about the fork replacement: is it just for cosmetic reasons, since the geometry seems to be the same?

Interesting to hear about the fork replacement: is it just for cosmetic reasons, since the geometry seems to be the same?
I've always had a suspicion that curved forks dampen the road shock a slight bit more, but this question is controversial. I do prefer the way it looks too.

I just built one up for my wife. Brooks B17 women's version saddle. Wheels have ultegra hubs with 32-spokes and Velocity Aerohead (O/C on the rear) rims. 600-series Shimano triple/9-spd brifters. Race Face Deuce XC 44/34/24 cranks with Shimano 105 front deraileur. 11/34 XT cassette with SLX rear derailleur. Salsa Bel Lap handlebars with Fizik gel and bar tape. Salsa bottle cages.

She loves it and finished a Century on it last Saturday.

Madsnail, I have a Redline 925 that has some flex in the bottom bracket especially when I stand up and mash. Sometimes I wonder if I am losing some of the tiny bit of power made by my noodley legs :lol: Did the flex ever become annoying? Also, how do you like the Marathon Race? Probably a little bit heavier than, say, Conti Gatorskins? Any info on the rims? Sorry for all the questions :)

Noodley legs? That sounds just like me too ;)
And no, it never is annoying for me, I'd like to think that it gives the flex back somehow. I like it better than my previous bikes.

Tires: this is a bit odd but even though these are two German brands, and I live in Germany, the Gatorskins are simply not available here anywhere. You can find all Conti models, Schwalbes everywhere, but no Gatorskins. Maybe Conti do it only for exports.
Anyway, here are the specs from the manufacturer websites: Gatorskin 28C = 320g Schwalbe Marathon Racer 30C = 330g. So this is basically the same, but that is probably not the point. The Schwalbes are perfect for my use (as I said, all-around bike, commuting, trails, long distances), they are said to be very tough and durable, but they probably "feel" different from the Gatorskins. For one thing, they are grooved tires, whereas the Gatorskins are not (as far as I can tell).

The wheels are Mavic Open Pros with 32 DT-Comp spokes, SON dynohub front and just a regular 105 rear hub.

Follow the link in my signature for the thread on my dyno / disc brake / IGH Casseroll. I haven't ridden it long-distance, but it is quite comfortable.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2896889710_ee4ff55385_o.jpg

I was wondering if the Salsa Casseroll owners would mind posting info on their bike builds? How long have you had them and how do you like them? Anyone take them on brevets? Any comparisons to other (previously owned) bikes would be great as well. Primarily looking for feedback on geared bikes, but any and all would be welcome :)

TIA

Comments from a test ride, not my own bike. The bike was built up with Ultegra components, road double (not sure exactly what chainrings) and a Shimano wheelset (550? 500?).
- Very very comfortable bike even with 23mm tyres
- No toe strike with 23mm but I think there would be for me with 28mm and mudguards
- Easy to keep up a good pace, but dosen't leap ahead like some road bikes when you put the power on. Maybe just that little bit heavier than some.
- Faster and more comfortable than my Cannondale tourer

Not sure if that helps; maybe try a test ride yourself and see if you like the frame. I'd probably build it up with a "super compact" double (something like 46/26 or 28 if I could get that to work). I'd probably run 25mm Refuse or Gatorskin tyres (and I weigh 95kg), you don't need any more for comfort with this frame.

Any noodle sensation at the BB?

I'm 225 lbs and have no issues with the frame feeling too flexy.

My setup is the 2008 Casseroll Triple complete with a Books B17 saddle, Blackburn EX-1 rear rack, and SPDs.

Note: I had some issues mounting the above rack on my 55cm frame - the seat stay bolts near the top were poorly positioned and could not be used without interfering with my rear brake cable very close to the brake itself. I used P-clamps instead (I don't heavily load it). My guess is a different rack might fit better.

Also, Salsa recommends that you use Shimano hubs and skewers for the rear wheel. With other models you can sometimes cause the rear wheel to slip under load, since the bike has semi-horizontal dropouts.

Scott

I really like the Casseroll. (my previous bikes 70's Peugeot, 80's Mottobecane ~ viva la France!)
Very smooth compliant ride, the bike just glides over the irregularities on the road. Good confidence inspiring handling, feels light though it is not a feather weight. Could have better high speed stability esp on 60km+ down hill descents. Have ridden a couple of 160km's a 100 and a 200km.
Would buy the bike again, it's great.

rnder72

My Casseroll
53(56) Frame

Campagnolo:
Brifters: Veloce Escape
Derailleur:Rear-Comp / Front-Race
Bottom Bracket: Centaur

FSA:
HandleBar: Omega Compact
Headset: Orbit UF
Stem: 190 Carbon Wrap

Wheels: DT Swiss RR1450 Classic
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon HS368 700x25
Brakes: Tektro R536
Seat Post: Salsa Shaft
SeatLock: Salsa LipLock
Saddle: WTB Silverado Race
Water Cages: RavX StainLess steel