Commuting - Ideas on a commuter and all-around bike

I currently have a Surly LHT that I love dearly. I love it for heavy rides. For some reason, I don't find it ideal for commuting and grocery-getting. Maybe I just like to collect bikes :thumb:

Anyway, I see a lot of folks here use the Surly Cross Check. That was first on my list, but I've also been checking out a few others. Keep in mind, I'm looking at this as not just a commuter and grocery getter but something I can maybe swap tires on and go for a weekend club ride as well.

I've also been looking at the Salsa Casseroll and also the Vassago Fisticuff. The Vassago is probably least similar to what I want (though it can make an awesome off road rig). The Salsa has no off road capability to speak of. Cross Check can do it all. Did I just make up my mind? Hmm...

Anyone have any experience with the Salsa and/or Vassago to offer up? I do have another question about gearing (multi vs SS for commuting) but I'll make another thread since it's a totally different subject line.

I think the Casseroll is fine for fire roads and light off-road use with the right tires. I read in an online review somewhere that Salsa does not recommend the Casseroll for use on singletrack specifically. I think the expression was something along the lines of "don't ride it on singletrack or you'll end up losing your teeth" which sounds like a pretty serious warning. :eek:

Scott

Hahah. Something like that. Due to my interest in single speed and the response in my other thread that it is completely viable, I think I am now leaning towards the Casseroll. You can get a Casseroll SS complete buildout for ~850 USD. Then if I ever want to go back to multi I can just make the switch. I think I have a 8 speed cassette lying around here anyway.

Now, if I could just find it in something other than the color mustard.

Edit: Found another excellent reason to support your LBS. All the online retailers were wanting ~850 USD for it. Just checked the store where I got my last bike... they are only asking 735. Now I can get the cross brake levers added on and not feel guilty ;)

Think I'll need to change the gearing though. Stock chainring is 48T. Seems a bit large from what I've been reading on the matter.

The Casseroll comes with a 48T chain ring, but it also comes with an 18T cog, which is bigger than most people use, so the gearing isn't quite as bad as you might think. I've been using 46x18 and finding it a bit low. You'll really need to try it yourself to find what works for you.

Changing the cog is usually cheaper than changing the chain ring. If you put a 20T cog on there, that would make quite a bit of difference.

Maybe you should start by deciding what you REALLY want to use the bike for.

I see commuting, groceries and group rides. So what does off-road have to do with anything?

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I have a garage full of bikes, but owning a LHT and a CC seems entirely unappealing to me. I'm biased because I'm not really a Surly fan, and I own a Casseroll. I just know that with a LHT in the garage, I'd want my other bike to be significantly lighter and snappier. The CC isn't.

Now, if I could just find it in something other than the color mustard.

You know, if that's your only holdup, you might want to put the word out. I don't think you would have a hard time finding someone who wanted the mustard frame.

Personally, I bought the singlespeed bike and added gears just to avoid the champagne color. If you rode a 57, or maybe a 55 (in casseroll sizes) I'd probably work something out with you. My 59 is a hair too big.

You know, if that's your only holdup, you might want to put the word out. I don't think you would have a hard time finding someone who wanted the mustard frame.

Personally, I bought the singlespeed bike and added gears just to avoid the champagne color. If you rode a 57, or maybe a 55 (in casseroll sizes) I'd probably work something out with you. My 59 is a hair too big.

Fit kit puts me at a 54cm frame, which on the Casseroll translated to a 51 according to Salsa's guidelines. Sorry.

And I was mistaken about the color. After seeing a few owner photos the color is not as bright as it appears in the photos on Salsa's site.

Offroad use was just a fleeting though. I was thinking more along the lines of the Vassago and possibly the Surly being capable offroad bikes so that I could sell my old hardtail. I think now I'd rather have the Casseroll, and in fact I did place an order for it a short while ago. I still might sell the hardtail though. I'm not using that much these days.

The Casseroll comes with a 48T chain ring, but it also comes with an 18T cog, which is bigger than most people use, so the gearing isn't quite as bad as you might think. I've been using 46x18 and finding it a bit low. You'll really need to try it yourself to find what works for you.

Changing the cog is usually cheaper than changing the chain ring. If you put a 20T cog on there, that would make quite a bit of difference.

Good to know. I was wondering what the rear cog was. I didn't see it listed on the Salsa site. I likely will get a smaller chainring and/or bigger cog. I'm not one of those folks who is time trialing on my commute :) I kinda like to take it easy on the ride.