After years of wanting to “be like Lance,” I believe that the average cyclist is slowly waking up to the fact that he does not need the latest and greatest racing rig. Carbon fiber and titanium do have a certain allure, but what percentage of bike buyers can afford to spend upwards of $5,000? Besides, many of the advantages of these technologies are simply not necessary for most cycling applications. There is an exponential cost increase for what amount to marginal weight and handling gains.
However, just as important as a compromise between price and performance is the desire for a bike that looks good. I am talking more about aesthetics than I am about the “faux-pro” look. Have you seen what $500 can buy lately? When it comes to trickle down bicycle technology, form not only follows function—it lags light years behind. Try squeezing space technology into a budget-beater bike. It isn’t pretty. At an entry-level price point I would take a steel frame over carbon fiber any day. It makes you long for a return to the golden age of handbuilt bicycles, when they were considered works of art.
Last week I spent a fair bit of time in the evenings following coverage of Interbike 2006, which is North America’s largest bicycle trade show. While it may have been the “year of the 29er,” I think that there were signs that “year of the commuter” is not far off. Last year Redline released a single speed commuter called the 9-2-5, which boasts an jaw dropping price and eye popping looks. This year Salsa has added the Casseroll to its 2007 line-up.
So just what is Casseroll? Well, it’s a road bike with real road bike geometry, not a cross bike or hybrid bike. It’s definitely not about road racing though. Casseroll is about road riding, whether for commuting, fitness, or looking at the scenery. Casseroll is the dish. You pour in the ingredients, stir it up, and ride.
Below are a couple of the ways that you can build up this steel frame.
Salsa Casseroll with gears, fenders and drop bars.
Single speed Salsa Casseroll with swept back handlebars and gorgeous grips.
Unfortunately, I will not be buying a Casseroll myself. The frame sizes stop at 59cm. I currently run a 62cm frame. However, I think Salsa has a hit on its hands and I hope that the trend of craftsmanship and beauty continues.
11 Comments
Boy, they go all out with the advertising – “truly one hot dish”…looks to me like a cross between a road bike and a beach cruiser.
Still a road bike…nothing slow (i.e., beach cruiser) about this one. You build it the way you want it…commuting, fitness, recreational, touring, etc. Also, single speed or geared. I like the baked in versatility (pardon the pun).
After test-driving your single-speed, I think I need to re-evaluate my consideration of the more relaxed style, with the swept-back handlebars and whatnot. It feels too weird now, after riding my mtn bike for so long. Maybe I want something that’s 5/6 road bike and 1/6 beach cruiser or old school…
Gears are way overrated. I think you need to just pedal harder.
Have you ever gone to the Make Blog and checked out the bicycle category? They have some pretty wicked bikes out there.
No, I hadn’t. Thanks for the link! I especially found the painting link helpful, as I am debating painting an old frame or sending it off for a professional job.
Speaking of bikes for the masses, there was a WSJ article on biking to work and the industry meeting the demand (clicky).
Well…I’ve actually been riding one of these things built up w/ gears and I’d have to say its a great all around-er road bike. It’s great off road ‘cept for deep mud and the handling is way snappier than a Surly cross check. The huge adjustment range provided by the rear dropouts makes it corner differently…at first I had the wheel set back and it felt smooth but wanted to run wide on turns. The wheelbase adjustability would be great for touring type folks (i.e. heel clearance). Awesome bike for the dough, I’ve ridden a lot of handbuilt steel bikes, and this one definitley has that elusive “feel” and versatility to boot.
Cheere from PDX
Clayton, Thanks for the mini-review. I was just thinking the other day about how this frame might be good for pairing with Shimano’s new Alfine group.
Thats 59cm with the sloped top tube, so there top tube is closer to a traditional (not sloped) top tube roadie.
Check out the geometry page, they get enormous!
the salsa casseroll has a slightly sloped top tube… they say the effective top tube is 3cm more than what they list as the size… therefore a 59cm is a 62cm… we can all ride casseroll !
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