This or that: Bob Jackson v. Serotta
 

Need an assist here - looking for an everyday road machine likely to use often for Zwift and quick club rides. For the sake of argument they're the same price and both in excellent condition.

The contestants are:
1) Restored 1992 Bob Jackson 531 with Dura Ace 9000 (11sp)
2) Serotta Concours titanium with Dura Ace 7800 (10sp)

What say you?

Well, I loved my Bob Jackson but sold it. I still have my Serotta CSI. So guess what I'm picking...

This is as no brainer as it gets...the Serotta.

I have a Legend Ti, and the rear triangle stability / plantedness is superb. If the Concours is anything like it, that's my vote.

Same price? The Bob Jackson seems like a much better deal especially with the newish Dura Ace.

mike

Serotta + Titanium = Winner

I agree. All else being equal the Serotta is a far better bike.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

Seriously?

Yes?

I think the Bob Jackson with pristine paint/decals and DA is a sexy ride.
The Serotta, is a Serotta and not particularly unique.

I'm sure they both ride great - a first-world cycling dilemma.

Components? Brifters is brifters... Cranks is cranks. Wheels, maybe they are different, maybe not so much. Frame? Ummm. Serotta= One of the best race bike builders EVER. Nothing against Bob Jackson, it's a production frame, and using 531 in 1992?


I have a 1974 Ron Cooper and a 1975 Carlsbad Masi that are 531. My 1990s steel bikes, no.

I have never used DA 9000. What does it do better than DA7800? Weight? Probably. As much as between 531 and Ti?


Keeping competitive for club rides? The motor matters more than anything else. The parts?

So... Seriously?

Ride the heck out of it. (Either one.)


Best regards, Eric

"Nothing against Bob Jackson, it's a production frame"

The Concours is also a production frame unless specifically ordered as a custom.

I will make this observation on my 531 Bob Jackson. Mine was a 53/54 CM range frame so not large. I got into a really fast (for me) chasing another rider. Speeds stayed in the 23-25 mph range and I could really feel it flexing under me. I was probably in the 180-190 lb range then.

Thanks for all the comments. I've been riding my late 80s Tommasini on group rides of late, or my Cannondale Slate. They're both serviceable. Looks like I need to make the call for the Serotta.

Yes, you are of course, correct. I did mention in the same paragraph that Serotta was a gifted builder and designer of racing bicycles*. 1970s Colnagos, Masis, De Rosas, etc, etc. were also production frames. Thanks for the correction, I did not mean to imply that Ben Serotta had personally held the torch.


Best wishes, Eric


*NB jamesdak comments, regarding frame flex under effort.

I love my Bob Jackson, and the Bob Jackson I had before it. I know Serotta only by their reputation. I wouldn't turn down either if they were offered. Here's the factor that I would consider the decider.

Heavy trainer use + steel = rust (unless you're meticulous at wiping things down after). I don't have anything titanium, but no way I put one of my best steel bikes on the trainer.

I love my Bob Jackson, but given this choice, I would probably go for the Ti frame.

Both have creds.

How are the vintage Ti bikes anyway? Serious question as I have read that the Colnago bikes are like noodles. Is Serotta better?

Pics? I think I’d take the Jackson, although I’d probably sell the DA off it

You can't compare a Colnago ti bike to a Serotta ti...not remotely the same animal. One marketed a material in a sourced, the other made bikes.

My opinion is that ti varies more than steel, and fewer builders use it well. A Merlin, or a Serotta, are wonderful bikes. Some others? Not so much.

Good to know thanks

Serotta for sure.

How do you feel about Litespeed, @KonAaron Snake? Just curious.

I've had a few Litespeed, and Litespeed built bikes, over the years; I think they did a better job on their own stuff than the stuff they contracted for others. I don't view them as I do Merlin, or Serotta, and I'm not sure they had the in house knowledge of fit and design that Cambridge Merlin and Serotta had. Not terribly interested them, but not opposed to them out of hand (like I would be to Colnago).

I love my Litespeed built MTB that I turned into a commuter, but it's a fairly overbuilt MTB that I'm using for a different purpose...hardly a good way to judge the frame as it was intended.

I had a LeMond Arrivee titanium built by Trek. It was not an enjoyable ride, felt heavy, slow, noodly.

Pic of Jackson - and catalog pic of Serotta (photo shows Campy, bike has Dura Ace):

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eef22d96bb.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7b503c7460.jpghttps://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...548d871f37.jpg