E_merlin

So - I have a LHT that I have spent over two thousand miles on. I really like the bike but.... I have yet to tour on it and am looking for something a bit sportier for brevet or century riding. FWIW - I also have a mint '84 Trek 620 sitting in the wings ready to be put into service. The LHT and the 620 would fit the same purpose. I do love the LHT, but I just want something a bit more spry

So - I am interested the 2011 Casseroll, it seems to fit the bill and I like the looks. I was thinking about purchasing frame only and moving the parts over from the Trucker which is all XT. The trucker is 26" wheels so that won't work, but what about the other parts? Can I transfer everything else over? I think the seat post is the same as well?

The complete bike is like 1199 and the frame is 549 - before any good guy discounts :-). I wonder what my LBS would charge to do the work.

Any thoughts would be appreciated - also any other bikes I should consider in this price range? Wish I had the cash for a Riv Hilson.... Am I making a poor decision?

Cheers

bradtx

E_merlin, Are you sure you won't be disappointed with the Casseroll because it isn't a Hilson? Anyway, you should ride what style of bike you wish to.

Brad

kuan

That's what I did. I have a 53cm Casseroll and love it. There's toe overlap if I have on big shoes and Keen commuter sandals so I can't ride it like a city bike. The problem goes away when I wear Sidis. Here's how I had mine initially setup. Brifters, compact road gearing, dyno hub.

tarwheel 

I got a 2011 Casseroll in April because I wanted a quicker, lighter, livelier bike for commuting than my touring bike. I just bought the frame/fork and swapped parts from my old Merckx Corsa, but still needed to buy canti brakes, threadless headset and stem. The Casseroll has turned out to be a great bike, and I've hardly even ridden my 4 other road bikes since I got it. It is the most comfortable riding bike I have owned, yet is quick and light enough for group rides. It is also very versatile. I am riding it on Bike Virginia starting next weekend and bringing an extra set of wheels with cross tires so I can ride on the New River Trail part of the time.

E_merlin

Thanks - that is the kind of feedback I am looking for. What touring bike did you come from?

Steve B.

Or a Soma Smoothie or Smoothie ES

I got a Smoothie and admit that it was because I like the look of the white frame and white steel fork. The steel forks allow greater tire clearance with fenders as well

Rides great, handle great, takes up to a 28mm tire, or 25 with fenders, plus has rear rack eyelets. This bike replaces the Heron Road that was too big for me and becomes my hilly century, hotel touring bike. I paid $550 frame and fork.

https://www.somafab.com/index.html

SB

E_merlin

I think you are right on Soma - the Stanyan should be on my list - not sure about the price

E_merlin

Anyone else have a thought?

VT_Speed_TR

Look at my sig line! I got the 2011 Casseroll in April and the LHT went up for sale shortly after. I have been having a blast on the Casseroll, it is just so lively and smooth on the road. I road the LHT the other day and it just felt heavy. I had many a great ride on the LHT and its surely (Surly) a workhorse, but the Casseroll just makes long day rides so much fun. I didn't realize all the fun I was missing. Wouldn't use the Casseroll for heavy touring, but with a light load, I can see some summer trips using a light hamock & sleeping bag to camp, or some CC touring.

E_merlin

Thanks VT - great bike looking bike.

seeker333

I assume you are aware that you'd be losing 35mm of chainstay in the switch from a LHT to Casseroll. Also, 700c wheels on smaller frames normally result in toe overlap, as mentioned in post #3.

Have you considered a Vaya?

tarwheel 

My touring bike is a Bob Jackson World Tour. I still have it and plan to keep it. My Jackson is built up to handle loads with bomb-proof wheels (36 H Dyads), but just isn't as fun to ride on a daily basis. That is partly due to the extra weight, but also due to the frame being much stiffer. I ride the Jackson much more in the winter when I have to carry a lot more clothing while commuting. Eventually I would like to do some loaded touring with it, but haven't accumulated all of the gear I need (mainly panniers).

tarwheel 

I also considered buying a Soma ES and it's another great option. In my case, the Casseroll geometry suits me better -- taller head tube and shorter top tube -- but that's an individual fit issue. However, I also like the canti brakes on the Casseroll, which provide better braking and more room for larger tires and fenders. The Casseroll also includes a front rack, but I left it off mine because my Jackson already had one that I rarely use and I was trying to minimize the weight as much as possible.

I've owned at least 10 road bikes over the years, including some quality racing frame (GIOS, Merckx, Bianchi, De Bernardi) and the Casseroll is the nicest riding bike I have owned. I am not a racer and comfort is more important to me than speed, stiffness and extreme light weight. However, the Casseroll seems to ride just as fast as my Merckx and De Bernardi racing frames. I rode a century in April at an 18.5 mph pace in very windy weather with my Casseroll rigged with fenders and a large seatbag (see photo above), which is a good time for me under those conditions.

E_merlin

Do doubt - the toe overlap is a concern. With a greater fork rake I think that will make it livable on a 53CM. I could be completely wrong.

E_merlin

Thanks Tarwheel - I appreciate the info, I think it would be same for me.

Bacciagalupe

In terms of "zippier feeling ride" it should work out, and the parts ought to be compatible.

However, I'm not sure you will end up saving any money in the process. The frame will run you $550, wheels another $350+, labor can easily run you $250. All that to what, move $250 in slightly used parts?

In contrast you might be able to remove the racks and saddle, and sell the LHT for $500.

You might also want to look into something a tad more sporty, like a "plush" bike -- Specialized Secteur or Roubaix, Giant Defy, Cdale Synapse.

tarwheel 

My gosh -- how long are the chainstays on a LHT? The Casseroll has 42.5 cm chainstays, but you can easily stretch that out to 45 cm due to the horizontal dropouts.

I have had no issues whatsoever with toe overlap on my 56 cm Casseroll, even with front fenders.

E_merlin

The chainstay on my trucker 47cm

Absolutely perfect for my Arkel utility panniers.

E_merlin

You are probably right on about going frame only. They make it very attractive to buy the whole bike.

"You might also want to look into something a tad more sporty, like a "plush" bike -- Specialized Secteur or Roubaix, Giant Defy, Cdale Synapse." - thanks for the recommendations, but I really want to stick with steel.

Steve B.

Stanyon is a great looking bike, but you have to like black. Pretty lugs as well. Only thing I warn folks about is the headtube is very short and makes it tougher to get the h-bar up towards saddle height. Read the spec's to compare.

SB

fuzz2050

How about one of these: It's road bike sporty, but can take reasonable width tires and fenders.

Daddy Wags

I hadn't been on a drop-bar road bike in 20 years when I went bike shopping. Just mountain bikes and hybrids in recent years.
My immediate reaction to the Salsa Casseroll was, "My God, this thing rides nice." I hope to have one myself this summer.
Question: Who makes those large front handlebar bags that appear in several of the above photos? Got to get one of those when I buy the Casseroll.

VT_Speed_TR

Mine is a Velo Orange bag, but it mounts on the front rack, not attached to the handlebar. Other front rack bags I know of are Acorn, Gills Berthoud. I think Rivendell bikes may carry some also.

E_merlin

Not sure how VT is making out with the Velo Orange, but mine is an Acorn. I had the Velo Orange and did not have a good experience with it - it is reasonably priced however. Perhaps it has been improved.

The Acorn Rando bag is very well hand built bag - good quality construction. You can find them here. The bad thing about Acorn is they can be hard to get as their production is limited.

Swift industries also makes some good looking products but are more expensive yet. I think they offer custom build options as well.

kuan

Mine is a Loyal Designs bag. Zugster also makes them but they don't have the same kind of look.