I did a bunch of internet sleuthing and soul searching before focusing my energy onto two possible bikes, the 2011 versions of the Surly Cross Check and the Salsa Casseroll. I liked both a lot, and got to test ride both at my local shop. The bikes are pretty similar, but I eventually decided on the Casseroll for a couple of reasons: The front gears are a triple right out of the box, it has sealed bearings which will minimize maintenance until I wear them out, and it came with a lovely front rack. Coupled with the nicer steel in the frame, I felt like the upgrades justified the extra $100 I would be spending.
While the bike is mostly stock, we made a couple of changes right off the bat. I replaced the integrated shifter with the sturdier bar end shifters, and added a bunch of accessories. Velo Orange hammered fenders, a silver Bontrager rack, and swapping out the stock saddle for a beautiful leather Brooks saddle makes this bike a show stopper. It's probably one of the nicest and cohesive bikes I've seen in a while, with a simple color scheme and solid complementary accessories. I feel like it matched my personality well, balancing feminine touches and a softer retro look with an aggressive build and posture.
I'm looking forward to putting some serious miles on this bike. While I've had a little trouble with the shifting, I'm betting that it's due to the adjustment period you always have with a new bike. My body fits the factory dimensions very well, and I'm looking forward to putting some serious miles on these wheels. Three cheers for my bike shop helping me build exactly the bike I wanted, and here's to attacking the future on two wheels.
(I like the philosophy this company has! <3)
1 comment:
That's a beautiful bike! <3 And probably the cutest name ever.
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