I'd like to improve the braking and luggage capabilities of my Salsa Casserole.

This winter I will be upgrading my Casserole Single with a new wheel set, and a 1x9 mountain LR derailleur.

I haven't decided on a wheel set yet but I was thinking of Synergy O/C on an XT rear, and a alfine/son front.

I'm wondering if it's possible/reasonable/whatever else to put a Salsa Fargo fork on my casserole. I can get it in the same 50mm rake, the only difference is 50mm axle to crown length.

I understand this would make my riding slightly more relaxed, and slightly less "agile" but I don't think the minor adjustment of position would be incredible, can anybody comment on this?

Fargo fork - https://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=de...=30&SKU=FK0542
Casserole fork - https://www.bikeman.com/FK0522.html?u...ign=GoogleBase

TLDR; swapping forks will add 50g, two water bottle cages, front rack options, and a front disc. Is this a bad idea?

The Fargo fork has a 442mm axle to crown length and the Casserole has a 383mm axle to crown length.

Thats a 59mm difference in axle to crown length, which is huge. I would not advise it.

The Salsa Vaya fork is a little better, with a 405mm axle to crown length and a 50mm or 45mm offset, according to here: https://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/

I know that the Vaya fork will be available next year, I would ask Salsa if the fork is a match for the Casserole.

I guess 5.9cm is signifant, I just REALLY want the water bottle holder, esp with the new cage. What do you think would be good? I'm okay with disc or canti breaks, I just know I want more stopping power.

I asked a similar question last month here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=soma+vaya

Just get a Fargo Frameset!

It's kind of hard to upgrade when there's nothing "wrong" though, and the bike has already treated me well through 4k miles. Not to mention that the fargo has significantly different dimensions.

Has anybody thrown taps into a steel fork?



Edit: At work we have a tool with the ability to install nut insets similar to how a rivet is installed, anybody have thoughts on these?

Riv-Nuts are a common method of making Bosses in Aluminum Frames.
you drill a 1/4 " hole for a 5mm bolt boss though.
just threading a thin wall tube wont help much,
Use P clamps, or the quality parts Tubus has made to fit their racks to forks without a mid fork braze-on.

Sounds like a Riv-nut tool. It's a special pop rivet tool that installs riv-nuts into a specific size hole. The hole diameter is sized to match your choice of riv nut, which is dictated by the size bolt you choose. In your case, it would make sense to one that matches other bottle cage bolts.

Rivnuts were actually used in many aluminum frame bikes. My Cannondale had them. Bike shops used to have this tool to repair striped or loosened rivnuts. You can buy you own tool and a rivnut assortment for 50-60 bucks.

In cromoly frames the bottle bosses are normally brazed in place. If I were doing this for a steel fork, I would choose rivnuts, because it would then be unnecessary to braze. Brazing heats the metal, and often weakens it. Rivnuts get you around this potential problem. Of course, drilling holes in the first place weakens the fork too. I think one small hole on each fork leg would be OK for mounting a front rack, but I'd leave the bottle bosses out. However I noticed the Salsa Casserole seems to be smaller diameter tapered tubing - I would leave this alone and get a whole new fork.

Consider a Civia Loring fork @ 395mm atc, 55mm rake, with all the bosses you want and disc brake only. I just installed one. Only thing I didn't like was the small Civia branding on each fork leg, but that's only a personal preference. Alfred E has the lowest price and free shipping >$75. You'll need a ROAD disc brake for the brake levers on your Salsa Casseroll Single. Avid 160mm BB7 is an excellent choice.

https://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=de...=30&SKU=FK2402

https://aebike.com/product/avid-bb7-r...r2243-qc30.htm

Be aware that going from 383atc/50mm rake fork to a 395atc/55mm rake fork will result in a wider turning radius and slower steering response. It won't be terrible, and you'll likely adjust to it after about 30 minutes of riding.

Jusy be aware the the fork on the link is for 26" wheels. This one is for 700c

https://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=de...=30&SKU=FK2407

Yes, the specs do say 26x2.0 ONLY (guess you can't use a 26x1.5, lol).

I think you could actually fit much larger than this, since I still have plenty of clearance with 26x2.0 tires and 60mm fenders. I'm using a ~3/4" spacer below the fork crown now with the fenders set to 2" tire.

Even though the Civia Loring fork has 12mm more atc distance than the stock fork, it may have less tire clearance diameter-wise. I can't say for sure since I don't have a Salsa Caseroll fork to measure, but I suspect they're very close.

I measured carefully for fit. The Loring should take up to a 700x32 wheel+tire with fender, which is coincidentally the specified tire size for a Salsa Casseroll. It doesn't look like this bike will actually take much larger tires in stock form.

My 700x28 fits the Civia Loring with a centimeter to spare for fender and clearance.