cb400bill

You can say Robbie’s name.

Kontact

In the '80s, Serottas were more likely to have high quality paint than their Italian brethren. Some would say that American framebuilders in this era were more exacting than the Europeans - which is not surprising considering the US craft beer industry and similar European pursuits Americans really get into. So the overall quality and American geometry would be reason to go Serotta over Italian.

I also LOVE the fastback seat cluster they use, but Basso and others had similar.

FrejusFlyer

I've had mine for 24 years and it's still a regular rider. Purists, avert your eyes from the non-quill stem.

kunsunoke 

I have an Early-80s Serotta Nova Special. It rides nicely, one of my favorite bikes for distance riding here in SEPA. The build quality is on-par with the best frames from Europe or Japan, possibly better.

The bikes are a bargain for sure.

RB1-luvr

I have fond memories of Ben visiting Walnut Hill Park during early spring training series crits in the 80s. He was an idol as well as Richard Sachs whose team was always there. I used to be friends with the owner of the financial investment group who fired Ben from his own company unfortunately. Key phrase "used to be".

I could not pass up on a Serotta if I found one I could afford.

Steel Charlie

I have an '85 Nova Special. Beautiful build quality. SL tubes, lotsa Ti stuff, DA7700, 17.8lbs, great ride. Can't even imagine selling it.

JoeBass

Purchased my Legend Ti from Dave Kirk shortly after he started his own shop and I've been having all kinds of fun with it since. Fantastic bikes, IMHO.

Mr. Spadoni 

Never had a problem with how to say the name. Of course that back when I could walk into The Bike Shop and Ben would be behind the counter if he wasn’t upstairs building. He was also USCF district rep for Northern NY, so he would be at races.

Chuckk

A couple more:


1992 Serotta Colorado II Coors Light Team Replica


~1993 Serotta Colorado Legend Tri (650c)

NVFlinch 

Shameless first world people showing off their wealth! Well, OK, here's mine
Legend ST (Yep, I've swapped out the front tire, and adjusted the bars/seat - get over it...


'96 CSI, not sure, but may be my favorite bike. OK, I'm sure now.


2002 Concours, now sold

MooneyBloke

... and the weird looking crank.

Velo Mule

That is a good point. Serotta's were painted with Imron, which at the time was expensive, looked great and was durable. The build quality was excellent as well. The shame about Ben being a frame builder of only racing bikes is that racing bikes are tools. These bikes were more than just good geometry and excellent execution.

For me a Serotta, Cuevas, Richard Sachs or Chris Chance (I know there are others, this is my northeast sphere of knowledge) would be more desirable than an Italian racing bike. But that is what keeps this hobby interesting. The Italians have trophies, heritage and mystique.

I think it comes down to if you want to impress you friends get an Italian bike, if you are wanting a good race bike, get a Serotta. If you want a little more aesthetic appeal then get a Cuevas. If you want an investment get a Richard Sachs.

I bought a Serotta Club Special frame only for $355 in 1980 when working a co-op job in college. It was expensive for me, but a good value considering what was available and I knew someone that had a Serotta and was fitted by Ben prior to my purchase.

Mr. 66

Serotta did do some touring frames, the pnwgopher has one, it is the ‘Rapid Tour’.

I have a Club Special track bike, this one is not my size. I use that one to hold the floor down, this was a parts purchase. No pictures of that one for now.

I’ll have my Colorado out for pictures soon.

FrejusFlyer

Plus, the low spoke count wheelset.

Mr. 66

Birds of a feather flock together…





Subtle differences with the seatlug, the fork crown to.



Horizontal vs. vertical, the white has a Colorado shaped toptube that is pressed to the same thickness as the smaller diameter, the blue is an OS strait, and different bb shells as well.

SoCaled 

Ben's mom (Caroline Serotta) was my elementary school Art Teacher and the best one anyone ever had! She was a jeweler (taught Jewellery at Skidmore college) and she was the one who put a torch in Ben's hand. I remember Ben, behind the counter at The Bike Shop, or at the Farmer's Hardware/J.H. Mabbet & Co that his parents owned, just above The Bike Shop, on Broadway. I am currently eating my toast off a plate that was bought from the back of the Farmer's Hardware in 1979? Would love to get my hands on a Serotta from the early era, one that has "Saratoga" on the bike.

pnwgopher

Here's that rapid tour - it's exceptional and was ahead of its time. Fits 33s, and my lower back appreciates the head tube extension. Only way I'll ever sell it is if I find the same frame in titanium.

PlymouthJLA

Since there are so many other folks sharing photos of their beautiful Serottas here, I'll throw mine into the mix: a 1994 Colorado Ti that was just finished being built up. I absolutely love this bike.