Brad Smith

EDIT: The build has been finished (with the exception of the stem). You can find photos later in the thread.

It is time! You may have read my call for assistance in the search for a new commuting bike. Well, I've made the base decision needed to move forward...

I'm ordering a 53cm 2007 Salsa Casseroll frame. Now let's build it!

I am currently aiming at full Shimano 105 or equivalent with more of a road ride (drop bars). I am using this for around 20 miles round trip commuting in a spread out urban town, trail riding, and the occasional light touring. It is also going to be the grocery grabber three times per week.

My budget is between $1500-$2000 fully built. Please help me fill in the gaps and check what I've already got. Here's my build as it currently stands:

Frame: 2007 Salsa Casseroll 53cm
Cranks: Shimano 105 (FC-5603)
Brakes/Levers: Shimano 105 (ST-5600)
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 (FD-5603)
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 (RD-5600-GS)
Brakes: Shimano 105 (BR-5600)
Chain: Shimano 105 (CN-5600)
Cassette: Shimano 105 (CS-5600)
Wheels: Planning on running a slick center with light tread towards outside, 28mm + fenders, but don't know what.
Rims:
Front Hub: Shimano 105 or a pre-built wheel?
Rear Freehub: Shimano 105 or a pre-built wheel?
Tires:
Tubes:
Headset: Chris King NoThreadSet 1-1/8", Black or silver or gold?
Stem: LH Thomson Elite X2 1-1/8", Black or silver?
Bars:
Bar tape:
Seatpost: LH Thomson Elite 27.2 diameter, Black or silver?
Saddle: Originally thought Brooks, but do to this being a commuter in any weather conditions...
Pedals: Bebop Stainless Steel Pedals
Rack: Old Man Mountain White Rock (40lbs. capacity)
Fenders: SKS/Esge Fenders, Black or silver?
Headlight: Cateye HL-EL500
Taillight: Cateye LD1000

That's the build I have currently. As you can see, my biggest questions are wheel-related, saddle-related, the bars, and color-related. I'd appreciate it if any of you think I am making a mistake with any component decisions you see. Thanks in advance. Let's make this Casseroll.... (end bad pun)

Brad Smith

I have a slight update. I think color-wise I will be going gloss black on the stem and seat post. On the headset, I will be going gloss black with either a red cap or gold cap. Doesn't help me on the component search, but hey... it'll look great!

old and new

Looks very sensible,the bike will turn out great. 105 prebuilts are no joke, many members tout more handbuilts. For all anybody knows,105 wheels are that. Besides I push them on +200 lb.riders like myself, 'cause o' the high spoke count, pretty much the reason. Color's of components are subjective, the past two bikes I've done, I compromised on color, specific needs and availabilty trumped bling.(I no longer wish to be enslaved by chrome or Alum. color)

modernjess

You got a good plan going there. If your budget get's tight, don't cut the King headset. It's worth every penny.

STEM and BARS: I've got the Thomson X2 stem (black) it's so nice, and beautiful. Be aware that it is a 31.8 clamp. You need oversize bars to match. I am using ITM Lite luxe wing bars with the flat tops. I LOVE them! So much so that that I'm thinking about replacing my Deda Newton on my road bike with them, the flats are really comfy, and the drops have 2 great positions.

The Thomson Elite seatpost is also a great choice, I have the setback model. It's strong, light, really adjustable, and perfect. You can't get any better.

Despite your reservations, I still say Brooks saddles are the way to go. Keep a shower cap in your seat bag, and throw it on if you park in the rain. Grab a B17 champion special, thank me later.

I think the 105 wheel sets are pretty solid, I don't think that's a mistake. I'm partial to Mavic wheels/rims myself. Kysrium Equips might be a good choice, or a 105 hub laced to an Open Pro or a CXP33 rim would be a nice wheelset as well.

Good luck

wag_d

That looks like a great build, but you may have to check the brakes i think that frame is made to use long-reach Calipers.

I would love to see some pics when its done, as i almost got one myself but went with a Soma Smoothie instead..

wag_d

Brad Smith

Thanks for the advice so far, guys. I'm taking my list of components to the LBS today to get some initial ballpark pricing.

Brad Smith

OK everyone, I've gotten pricing from the LBS and it seems to be in the ballpark of what I want to pay. It's time to make this happen! Here's the current (and almost final) build specifications:

Frame 2007 Salsa Casseroll 53cm
Cranks Shimano 105 (FC-5603)
Brake Levers/Shifters Shimano 105 (ST-5600)
Front Derailleur Shimano 105 (FD-5603)
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105 (RD-5600-GS)
Brakes Shimano Long-Reach Caliper (BR-R600)
Chain Shimano 105 (CN-5600)
Cassette Shimano 105 (CS-5600)
Wheels Custom built Mavic and Shimano
Rims Mavic Open Pro (black)
Front Hub Shimano 105 (HB-5600)
Rear Freehub Shimano 105 (FH-5600)
Spokes Stainless
Tires Continental Ultra GatorSkin (700 x 28c)
Tubes unknown... may use Specialized tubes I use with road bike
Headset Chris King NoThreadSet (1-1/8"), black with red bearing cap
Stem LH Thomson Elite X2 (1-1/8", length TBD), black
Handlebars FSA Wing Pro (31.8 x 420mm)
Bar Tape Fi'zi:k Microtex and Bar Gel (red or black)
Seatpost LH Thomson Elite (27.2 diameter, 330mm), black
Saddle Brooks B17 Champion Special (black with copper)
Pedals Bebop Stainless Steel
Rack Old Man Mountain White Rock (black)
Fenders SKS/Esge Fenders for up to 32mm tires (black)
Headlight Cateye HL-EL500
Taillight Cateye LD-1000

The only component questions that remain are which tires to put on the Mavic Open Pro rims (28mm, slicks with treads on edges) and whether the FSA handlebar (I can get it $10 + shipping) or the ITM Wing Shape Lite Luxe should be the way to go.

For colors, I am going for the lovely gloss black look against the gold frame of the bike with some red highlights (like the bearing cap, which should match the frame's red highlights). The Shimano 105 components are silver, but should be offset by the black of the rack. The handlebar tape I want to be a deeper red (more maroon) if possible, otherwise black.

I think this is going to be one awesome bike. I'll probably be getting it (depending on when the frame is available again) in the next 3 to 4 weeks.

EDIT: Updated the build spec in this post slightly.

modernjess

Sweet! The silver components will look great, plus the inevitable scratches won't show on the silver like they would on the black.

25mm Conti Ultra gatorskins (or you could go 28 if you must)

Anything BUT Specialized tubes. My LBS is a huge specialized dealer, and I bought a pile of them. over 50% had holes right out of the box, I swear. Never again, never never never.....

You are gonna run a triple front? You sure you really need it? A double or a compact is simpler and lighter, but it's a personal pref. I'm a flatlander in MN, no triple needed, in fact one gear seems plenty.

You gotta be pretty pumped right about now. Congratulations in advance.

Brad Smith

modernjess: Unfortunately, I think I do need the triple. While it's not terribly hilly around here, if I take it touring I will need it. I have some knee issues, so facilitating easy spinning is more important. I could definitely get by with a compact like my road bike has, but don't want to take the chance with a load on the bike.

ch9862

I love this frame (and the fork!) - really nice for commuter. Color is yucky for me though, so I think you're going the right route adding some black to balance it out. If I were you, I'd avoid black spokes - they chip easily.

Great build - show pics when you're done

jinkies

Brad, you know you want the bars... Let me know so I can bring them home. I have a bottom bracket and brakes too, if you end up not needing long-reach brakes.

Brad Smith

Very well, jinkies. I shall take the bars. So it's the FSA Wing Pro bars. :-)

georgiaboy

Let us know how she rides. We have all been looking at this frame.

Cyclist0383

I'm going to disagree with this and say ditch the King headset, go for something like the FSA Orbit II, and put the money saved towards better wheels. It's really hard to screw up a headset, even really cheap ones last a long time, with King you are largely buying a name, with no added benefit to you as an end user.

EDIT: I'd also ditch the expensive seatpost and stem. For commuting purposes you won't notice and difference between a Thompson and a cheaper seatpost and stem. Although you will notice a difference in nicer wheels, they are the one thing after a frame not to cheap out on.

modernjess

Are hand built Mavic Open Pro's with 105 hubs really cheaping out? For a commuter?

Cyclist0383

When you are on a budget and throwing money on things like a $130 headset, $90 seatpost, and a $90 stem it seems to me that there are much better places that money could be spent. Nice wheels are one of them.

squirtdad

Shimano has those (57 mm reache) at either a ultegra level or a rx100/105 level. I think rivendell has them on their site, I got the lower level from a guy on ebay..... double pivot work, look nice, work well...have fun with the build

jinkies

Brad, any luck getting the LBS to get off their rears and call about your frame?

FWIW, I'd skip the Thomson before I walked away from a King headset. Though I did suggest the Thomson gear to you, I'm a firm believer that the headset will make the most difference that you can actually feel. (I'm getting one for my mountain bike too.)

Brad Smith

Still waiting on the LBS to check with QBP. The QBP site said the frame should have been in stock on the 25th. I'm hoping I can get them to call and check this week.

M_S

Finally someone is building one of these things up! Sweet!

God I wish I had some money. I know exactly what I'd spend it on.

georgiaboy

Interesting post.

Brad Smith

Frame is *still* out of stock at QBP according to the LBS, despite the site saying it should be available "as of 5/25". This wait is killing me...

benshih1

I'm in the exact same position as you're in--waiting for a 53cm frame. My LBS spoke w/QBP yesterday. Looks like 2-3 weeks at best.

BTW, if you're open to a different rack and fenders, I highly recommend the Tubus Vega and Planet Bike Cascadia fenders, respectively.

Brad Smith

Aaaaaaack. This wait is going to kill me.

modernjess

You could probalby get a Surly Pacer frame immediately. Salsa and Surly are all QBP owned, That Salsa seems like a great choice but I bet there isnt' a ton of difference between those 2 frames.